© Viridian Nutrition 2017

The spice saff­ron is well known for its delicate flavour, but what you may not have heard is that saffron has a very long history of use for improving mood and mental health, and remains a popular remedy today with increasing research proving its benefits.

Saff­ron is derived from the autumn flowers of Crocus sativus, and has been traded and used by people for at least 4,000 years. A traditional Chinese text from the Mongol dynasty stated that “long-term ingestion causes a person’s heart to be happy,” and simply smelling saff­ron has been shown to lower the stress hormone cortisol and reduce symptoms of anxiety.

Several studies have explored the mood lifting e­ffects of sa­ffron, showing consistent benefit for mild-to-moderate depression when 30mg of extract is taken daily for six weeks.

Saff­ron has also been studied as a potential treatment for stress related over-eating. In a group of overweight women. It was found that saff­ron supplementation for eight weeks resulted in a significant decrease in snacking frequency and body weight.

So if you are feeling rundown, stressed, and low or have food cravings and need some support, try a daily intake of sa­ffron to see if this wonderful spice can help give you the lift you need.

Consult your GP if currently taking prescribed antidepressants.

Saffron is the Viridian Ingredient of the Year 2018. After reviewing a vast array of nutrition and herbal research, and speaking with leading influencers, Viridian Nutrition, the ethical vitamin company with an organic heart, has duly recognised saffron, in further anticipation of its positive influence on health.

This article is for information purposes and does not refer to any individual products. The information contained in this article is not intended to treat, diagnose or replace the advice of a health practitioner. Please consult a qualified health practitioner if you have a pre-existing health condition or are currently taking medication. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet.

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