Saffron, the most expensive spice in the world that is rich in health benefits
KONTAN.CO.ID – JAKARTA. Saffron or saffron is a spice with a strong aroma and is rich in antioxidants. Launch Medical News Today, This lily cousin spice comes from the pistil of the Crocus sativus flower. The spice saffron is known for its high price due to the difficult process of harvesting it.
Farmers have to harvest the fine threadlike sheet of each plant flower by hand. They then need to heat and process the produce to get the saffron flavor out.
With this complicated process, saffron is one of the most expensive spices in the world. Quoting Healthline, the price of spices in the world market can reach 5,000 US dollars per 450 grams.
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Behind the title of the most expensive spice in the world, the health benefits of saffron are quite diverse. Here are some of them:
1. Against free radicals trigger chronic disease
A number of studies say, saffron has a high antioxidant content. Several types of antioxidants in saffron include crocin, picrocrocin, safranal, kaempferol compounds, and crocetin.
Antioxidants can help fight oxidative stress and free radicals in the body. As is well known, oxidative stress and free radicals are the source of health problems, such as cancer and heart disease.
2. Prevents nervous system disorders. Saffron comes from the pistil of crocus sativus flowers.
The antioxidants in saffron can play a role in protecting the body from disorders of the nervous system. Research in 2015 noted that the crocin compounds in saffron can reduce inflammation and oxidative damage in the brain.
Another study published in the journal Antioxidants notes that saffron can relieve symptoms of Alzheimer’s because it can increase memory and reduce inflammation in the brain.
From the results of the study, mild to moderate Alzheimer’s sufferers who used saffron for 22 weeks had cognitive improvements like those who took donepezil.
However, this research is only in its early stages and requires clinical trials to support the use of saffron as an alternative drug for nervous system disorders.
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3. Improve mood
Apart from physical health, saffron is also said to have potential mental health benefits. Saffron can help improve mood which is useful for supporting the treatment of people with depression.
A study in the Journal of Behavioral and Brain Science says saffron extract can increase dopamine levels in the brain without changing levels of other brain hormones, such as serotonin.