Kesar or saffron is commonly used in Indian kitchens for itsflavour and aroma. Latest researches unfold its amazing benefits.
There are several spices that we commonly use in our kitchen. Spices have lots of amazing health benefits but most of the time, we are unaware of it. Kesar or saffron is one such KITCHEN SPICE that has miraculous health benefits. It is not just another kitchen spice rather, it is called World’s Golden Spice – as Saffron provides beautiful golden color, pungent & aromatic flavor to food. It has been used for centuries in Persian, Arab, European, and Indian cuisines.Saffron is chiefly cultivated in Iran, it is also grown in Afghanistan, Spain, Morocco, Greece, France Italy (on the lower spurs of the Apennines Range), and some parts of India (Pampore in Srinagar). It is really interesting to know about the varieties of saffron available.
Meet the Red Gold
The spice is harvested from a beautiful purple flower “ CrocusSativus” – which is very delicate and can best be harvested early in the morning by hand. Harvesting time is the end of October and the beginning of November. i.e. 20 days in a year, flowers available to get Saffron. About 150,000 flowers are required to get approx one kg of dry Saffron. This is labor-intensive harvesting and processing that makes it the most expensive spice in the world and hence called the “Red Gold”.
Saffron is classified into four categories depending upon the trim of saffron stigmas. The four different trims of Persian Saffron are:
- Super Negin: Super Negin filaments are longer in length and contain no yellow part of the stigma. This is the most expensive and rare trim of Saffron. Best Super negin can be collected during the initial days of harvesting.
- Negin: In comparison to Super Negin, Negin filament is longer in length and contains some yellow and orange portions of the thread but aroma, quality, and purity are still impressive.
- Sargol: Is derived from the very tip of the saffron thread, therefore it is named “Sargol means Top of flower from stigmas”. Sargol is considered to be of a high quality due to the lack of yellow or orange part of the stigma. It has a specifically powerful aroma. In India, the same quality is called Mogra. To prepare Mogra, farmers need some water so it is silkier and contains high moisture.
- Pushal: Stigma contains 20% yellow and 80% red part called Pushal and same is called “Lucha” in India. Normally Iranipushali used to prepare mogra in India. In Spain the same quality is called “Saffron” as it is.
Research updates – Saffron – Health Benefits Horizon
Recently, approximately 150 volatile and nonvolatile compounds have been detected from the chemical analysis of saffron. However, about 50 constituents have been identified so far as the phytochemicals of this plant. The major constituents of saffron are crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal.[1].
It has been used as a natural medicine for thousands of years. Packed with a range of antioxidants like crocetin, safranal, and crocin, saffron may help protect the body from harmful free radicals that have the potential to cause a number ofailments and diseases. It has potent analgesic, sedative, expectorant, antidepressant, antispasmodic properties, it is an aphrodisiac, digestive, and carminative agent. People use saffron most commonly for depression, anxiety, Alzheimer’s disease, menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), and premenstrual syndrome (PMS).With Special focus on cardiovascular effects
As per the report of Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy Journal- Jan 2019: Recent animal and human studies indicate that saffron may have cardio-protective effects through modulation of oxidative stress, calcium channel-blocking effects, and hypotensive and hypolipidemic properties. [2]
In another clinical study kermani et al. reported significant reductions in the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride after the 6-week crocin administration in patients with metabolic syndrome regarding baseline value [3]
With Special focus on Antidepressant effect
One of the top five most predominant diseases worldwide is depression. [4] Depression can affect the quality of life of someone because of the fact that it can cause headaches, difficulty in thinking, and loss of interest.
One of the most established findings regarding the benefits of saffron are, its antidepressant activity. There are clinical trials conducted, evaluating the efficacy of saffron in mild-to-moderate depression. A very reputed journal; Pharm BioalliedSci, Oct- Dec-2018;10(4): 173–180 – reported that saffron was more effective than placebo and at least equivalent to the therapeutic doses of imipramine and fluoxetine.
Hausenblas et al.[5] stated that, similar to antidepressants, saffron may exert its antidepressant effect by modulating the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, including serotonin (a mood-elevating neurotransmitter).
With Special focus on Digestive diseases
Several studies have shown the effectiveness of saffron components in various digestive, inflammatory disorders, as well as digestive cancer prevention and treatment due to its anti-oxidant properties. Saffron has the potential to act as a preventive agent of gastric mucosa damage through enriching glutathione levels and reducing lipid peroxidation [6]. Inoue et al. reported that saffron can inhibit ulcers that are induced by stress and histamines [7].
Studies also proved, the influence of saffron on the microbiome, molecular pathways, and inflammation in gastric, colon, liver cancers, and associated inflammations [8]. In a nutshell, saffron protects the digestive tract and associated organs.
In addition to the many bodily health benefits of saffron, saffron is also excellent for the human mind. Both crocin and crocetin contain brain-boosting properties that protect the health of brain cells and improve cognitive function.
Further studies reveal that saffron contains the electrolytes sodium and potassium, and is rich in other minerals like copper, calcium, magnesium, selenium, manganese, iron, and zinc. It is also a good source of vitamins A, B, and C.
Hence, saffron apparently works beyond the palate since it has nutritive properties beneficial for physical as well as mental health.
Saffron – As a part of Spice box
A spice box is a must in any kitchen. It’s quite a practical thing to have all the regularly used spices in one box, so that when the oil is hot and ready to be infused with the aromatic spices, one should not run after different jars for different ingredients.
As per Vipin Aggarwal- CEO of Groceries Impex-The benefits of saffron on mind and body is very significant.
To get the benefits of saffron, he suggest,” Saffron must be a part of Spice box. This must be addedin all preparation so that daily dose of 10 to 20 mg can be taken by each member of the family”.
According to him, Saffron tea is very much powerful that can be taken solely or as part of Morning green tea/kahwa daily specifically in winters to avoid seasonal as well as perennial flu. While in summers – cold saffron beverages or saffron milk with ice is highly recommended and has potential effects on health. This way the taste buds can also be satisfied with simultaneous health benefits. To it, we add 10 to 20 mg saffron in food particularly in dinner dishes to get more health benefits. It’s more helpful in good sleep. In short, he says, “without saffron our food is incomplete”.