Research Snapshot
Saffron
A synthesis of the peer-reviewed evidence for Saffron across mood, cognition, neuroprotection and oxidation, graded by scientific consensus and reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Board.
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MoodCan Saffron improve mood?
Evidence from 10 studies
What the research shows
Saffron appears to be a promising natural alternative for improving mood and supporting healthy mood and calmness. It is effective in both human research and general populations, with a favorable safety profile. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings across diverse populations and to fully understand its mechanisms of action.
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Complementary therapies in medicine | Graham Kell et al. | 60 | 2017
Randomized Control Trial (RCT)
Affron®, a saffron extract, significantly decreased negative mood and symptoms related to stress and anxiety at a 28mg/day dose.
Frontiers in Nutrition | P. Jackson et al. | 22 | 2021
Randomized Control Trial (RCT)
Saffron extract appears to improve subclinical depressive symptoms in healthy individuals and may contribute to increased resilience against stress-related psychiatric disorders.
Journal of affective disorders | Mojtaba Shafiee et al. | 107 | 2018
Rigorous Journal , Highly Cited , Systematic Review
Saffron may exert antidepressant effects and represents an efficacious and safe treatment for depression.
Journal of affective disorders | Adrian L. Lopresti et al. | 43 | 2018
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Rigorous Journal
Saffron extract (affron®) improved anxiety and depressive symptoms in youth with mild-to-moderate symptoms, according to adolescent self-reports.
CognitionDoes Saffron improve cognitive function?
Evidence from 17 studies
What the research shows
Saffron shows promise as a natural treatment for improving cognitive function, particularly in human studies. Its effectiveness is comparable to conventional drugs, with a favorable safety profile. However, further large-scale, high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings and establish saffron as a standard treatment option for cognitive function.
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Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie | Mohammad Saeedi et al. | 34 | 2020
Systematic Review
Saffron and its main component crocin are effective against chronic stress-induced cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress, and slowed cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.
Behavioural Brain Research | Magdalini A. Papandreou et al. | 194 | 2011
Non-Randomized Control Trial , Animal Trial , Highly Cited , Controlled experimental study
Saffron administration in mice led to significant improvement in learning and memory, accompanied by reduced lipid peroxidation products and higher antioxidant activity.
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie | Kai Zhong et al. | 20 | 2020
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Animal Trial , Rigorous Journal
Saffron ameliorated anxiety-like state and cognitive dysfunction in rats after cerebral ischemia.
Biointerface Research in Applied Chemistry | M. Talebi et al. | 13 | 2020
Systematic Review
Saffron and its major constituents have remarkable properties on memory and cognitive deficiency, suggesting potential support for cognitive function.
NeuroprotectionCan Saffron offer neuroprotection?
Evidence from 19 studies
What the research shows
Saffron exhibits promising neuroprotective properties through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neurotransmitter-modulating effects. These findings suggest its potential as a supplementary agent for cognitive and mental function. Further research, particularly clinical trials, is needed to fully understand and harness its potential.
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Journal of ethnopharmacology | Mostafa Asadollahi et al. | 19 | 2019
Randomized Control Trial (RCT)
Saffron extract has short and long-term neuroprotective effects on ischemic stroke in humans.
Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie | Kai Zhong et al. | 20 | 2020
Randomized Control Trial (RCT) , Animal Trial , Rigorous Journal
Saffron exerted neuroprotective effects on late cerebral ischemia by attenuating astrogliosis and glial scar formation after ischemic injury.
Molecules | M. Maggi et al. | 30 | 2020
Systematic Review
Saffron's ability to cope with retinal neurodegeneration is related to the presence of specific crocins and the contribution of other saffron components.
Journal of Parkinson's disease | Sivaraman Purushothuman et al. | 58 | 2013
Non-Randomized Control Trial , Animal Trial , Rigorous Journal
Saffron pre-treatment saved many dopaminergic cells of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and retina from parkinsonian (MPTP) insult.
OxidationCan Saffron help maintain balanced oxidation levels?
Evidence from 16 studies
What the research shows
Saffron is effective in maintaining balanced oxidation levels by reducing oxidative stress markers and enhancing antioxidant capacity. Its active compounds, such as crocin and safranal, play a crucial role in these effects, making saffron a promising supplement for managing oxidative stress-related health issues. Further research is needed to fully understand its long-term efficacy and safety.
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Phytotherapy Research | N. Tahvilian et al. | 18 | 2020
Randomized Control Trial (RCT)
Saffron supplementation significantly increased serum levels of total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in ulcerative colitis patients.
Frontiers in Medicine | A. Abedi et al. | 3 | 2023
Meta Analysis
Saffron consumption significantly decreases MDA and TOS levels and increases TAC and GPx levels, helping maintain balanced oxidation levels.
Phytotherapy Research | A. Tajaddini et al. | 5 | 2022
Randomized Control Trial (RCT)
Saffron supplementation can improve oxidative status by reducing nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus.
Heliyon | S. Nanda et al. | 28 | 2021
Systematic Review
Safranal, a major component of saffron, has immense antioxidant potential and is used as a therapeutic agent in various diseases.
Reviewed by Experts
Every research snapshot is checked by our independent Scientific Advisory Board: physicians, botanists and pharmacology researchers who verify the evidence grading and its interpretation.
Kerry Hughes
M.Sc., RH(AHG), FDN-P
Ethnobotanist & herbalist; Berkeley Herbal Center; principal at EthnoPharm.
View full profile →Lance Dreher
PhD, Nutritional Counseling
Performance nutrition & conditioning; four decades of applied training science.
View full profile →Dr. Lindsey Faucette
DO, FAAFP
Board-certified in Family & Integrative Medicine; Touro University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
View full profile →Francisco Chacon
PhD, Plant Biology
Botanical natural products & phytochemistry researcher, Penn State University.
View full profile →Meet the full Scientific Advisory Board →
How We Grade Consensus
For each benefit we retrieve the relevant peer-reviewed literature and classify every study by whether its findings support (Yes), partially or conditionally support (Possibly), or do not support (No) the claim. The donut shows the share of studies in each category; N is the number of studies analyzed for that benefit.
Grades reflect the weight and direction of the current evidence, not a guarantee of outcome, and the interpretation is verified by the Scientific Advisory Board.