DESCRIPTION
so what is saffron? This may be the question of many people who are not familiar with this special spice. But don’t worry, RST food is here to answer the question of what is saffron and your other questions about Iranian saffron in this field, in a very specialized way.
The history of saffron production dates back to the greatness of Iranian civilization, and the main source of this plant belongs to Iran, and every year more than 95% of the production of this valuable plant in the world takes place in Iran. This plant is known by the scientific name Crocus Sativus and the brand name Saffron.
Saffron consists of three main ingredients:
- Crocin (coloring agent)
- Picrocrocin (flavoring agent)
- Safranal (fragrance agent)
Due to the presence of these three substances in saffron, it has caused this plant to be used in the food industry for coloring, flavoring and creating fragrance and aroma in all kinds of food and food seasonings, desserts and even in various pharmaceutical, and health industries be used.
The higher the quality of crocin in this plant, the more its color changes from light red to dark red. Also, to the extent that picrocrocin is more in saffron, its taste will be better and of higher quality, and the substance safranal in saffron has a direct effect on the release of its pleasant smell.
If we want to mention some of the vitamins in saffron, vitamins including: B2, B3, B6, B9, A, C are available in saffron. Also, saffron has a large amount of minerals that can be very useful for the body.
The presence of these useful vitamins and minerals in saffron has given magical properties to this beneficial substance, effects such as: eye health, heart health, anemia treatment, anti-inflammatory and anti-depressant and many other diseases.
Saffron is used as a raw material in various industries, including food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.
Food industry
In various sectors of this industry, including beverages, dairy, confectionery, protein, saffron is widely used.
Saffron is used in the preparation of healing syrups, including simple and lemon syrups, etc.
Saffron is used to flavor products such as milk, butter, cheese, ice cream and cream.
Another use of saffron in the food industry is to bake all kinds of sweets. Saffron is used to add flavor to products such as cakes, breads, sweets, etc. Confectionery products in which saffron is used are expensive and very tasty.
Saffron has been welcomed by everyone in meat products such as sausages and sausages. One of the important spices used in these types of products is saffron. Saffron is mostly used in the meat industry for its good aroma.
Also, saffron is used in other parts of the food industry such as oil products (oils and margarines), puddings, desserts and seasonings.
pharmaceutical Industries
The antioxidant property of crocin, picrocrocin and safranal in saffron has given many healing properties to this miraculous plant. Among the therapeutic properties of saffron are the treatment of cough, asthma, prevention of cancer, reduction of the symptoms of the menstrual cycle, enhancement of sexual power, prevention of Alzheimer’s, treatment of insomnia, prevention of high blood sugar, and reduction of blood pressure. Also, according to research, one of the most important therapeutic properties and uses of saffron is reducing the symptoms of depression. It seems that saffron has a more effective function in the treatment of depression than antidepressants such as fluoxetine and citalopram.
Cosmetics industry
Crocin and kaempferol are chemical compounds that are widely used in the preparation of cosmetics, but considering that saffron is rich in these two chemical compounds, it can protect the skin against the ultraviolet rays of the sun. According to research, saffron has a better performance than sunscreens. Also, the presence of extractable amounts of safranal in saffron has made its sweet and warm aroma to be used to prepare all kinds of colognes. Also, the yellow and golden color of saffron, which is present at the end of the saffron string, and the presence of crocin in saffron, this plant is used to prepare cosmetic products such as lipstick and blush.
The saffron plant has a moisturizing effect and can maintain the moisture of the skin and prevent it from drying out. Saffron can also make the skin clearer and brighter by reducing skin melanins. This is why saffron is used as the primary ingredient of skin lightening creams. Saffron is effective in preventing skin aging and has rejuvenating properties, and it is used in the preparation of facial masks and rejuvenating creams.
For whom is the consumption of saffron harmful?
People who have the following conditions should avoid consuming saffron:
- Obese or overweight people: due to the appetizing nature of saffron, its continuous consumption will lead to weight gain for these people. People who have a problem with palm sweating, if they consume saffron, the amount of sweating in their palms will increase.
- Pregnant women in the first trimester of pregnancy should refrain from consuming saffron because it may harm the fetus and even lead to abortion. The first trimester of pregnancy is the period of formation of organs and it is called the critical period of pregnancy.
The permissible amount of saffron
The permissible amount of saffron consumption per month is 3 grams per person. This amount will be equivalent to the daily consumption of one unit out of ten units per gram of saffron. Observance of the set ceiling can bring maximum use of saffron’s properties. This is despite the fact that consuming more than 5 grams per month is harmful for any person and may cause side effects.
In cases where saffron is used as medicine, the maximum allowed amount is one gram. Consuming more than 3 grams of saffron in one serving is harmful and will lead to risks.
Saffron is one of the most expensive and practical agricultural products. The best and most expensive type of saffron is the type that has the most color and taste. Saffron that has more quality and stigma will be more expensive. The saffrons available in the market have different prices depending on their characteristics. Usually, the main types of saffron are: Bunch saffron, Negin saffron, Pushal saffron and Sargol saffron. The main difference between these three types of saffron is related to which part of the saffron flower is used in its preparation. It can be said that the stigma and the yellow part of saffron are effective factors that create variety in saffron.
BENEFITS
- Treating depression and creating vitality
Serotonin is one of the most important neurotransmitters in the body that plays an important role in controlling and improving depression. Many existing chemical antidepressants (fluoxetine) are also designed and manufactured with this serotonin control mechanism. The important difference between saffron and these drugs is in their side effects.
Although saffron has no known side effects for people with depression, it can also compensate for the side effects caused by other chemical drugs in the market. One of these complications is sexual disorders caused by antidepressants, which saffron can improve these disorders to an acceptable extent.
- Reducing anxiety and creating relaxation
One of the causes of anxiety in people is the presence of antioxidants and environmental stress. According to experts, saffron consumption can have significant sedative properties. Also, saffron has a warm and lively nature, and because of this, it can regulate the nervous mechanisms and in this way improve the functioning of the nerves.
Saffron brew is rich in vitamin C, so it is highly effective in strengthening the body’s immune system and leads to the prevention of colds. It should be mentioned that every 100 grams of saffron contains 80 milligrams of natural vitamin C with high absorbability.
One of the most important issues and problems that endangers our cardiovascular health today is the increase in the production of free radicals in our body. These free radicals are produced in large quantities due to our inappropriate lifestyle and lead to the oxidation of fats in the coronary arteries of the heart. One of the best properties of saffron is that it has a large amount of antioxidants such as crocin, crostin and safranal. The duty of these antioxidants is to neutralize free radicals and thus guarantee our cardiovascular health.
According to medical science and scientists’ research, one of the main causes of cancer is the presence of free radicals in the human body. Interestingly, free radicals are naturally produced in our body and if our body cannot neutralize these free radicals, it will suffer serious problems. Free radicals tend to damage and oxidize anything in their reach. Free radicals around the nucleus of cells can damage the genetic material and especially its regulatory sequences, leading to the development of very hard cancers.
As mentioned, the presence of antioxidants such as safranal crocin and picrocrocin in saffron neutralizes free radicals and prevents cancer in humans.
- Strengthen mental strength
Studies and clinical trials show that saffron has the ability to increase alertness and mental ability as well as protect the brain. Crostin, crocin and safranal in saffron can protect the brain against free radicals, which are one of the most important possible threats to the brain. Also, minerals and compounds in saffron can improve brain functions to an acceptable extent and prevent neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s.
Studies show that consuming saffron can improve the body’s metabolism of fat and glucose. Saffron can lead to a decrease in fat metabolism received through food and optimization of glucose metabolism. Improving energy metabolism in a person leads to an increase in available energy in the body through hormones such as glucagon and prevents the development of diabetes. All these cases lead to the reduction of fat mass in people and weight loss and slimming with saffron.
In a clinical study on people who used sleeping pills to have a restful sleep, it was shown that consuming 14 milligrams of saffron daily for a period can lead to a significant improvement in the quality of sleep in these people.
- Improve shortness of breath
Based on the studies conducted on the properties of saffron, it has been found that this spice has the lowest amount of allergens and strengthens the body’s respiratory system and has a positive effect on the healing process of asthma.
Due to the presence of large amounts of carotenoids, flavonoids and other antioxidants, saffron can play an important role in reviving and maintaining skin collagen. You must know that one of the main factors in maintaining the health and transparency of the skin is skin collagen. Skin collagen is damaged under the influence of antioxidants and other harmful environmental factors such as sunlight and harmful environmental waves, and is destroyed and over time. One of the important benefits of saffron is maintaining and revitalizing skin collagen.
- Reduction of complications and menstrual disorders
One of the important issues that strongly affects the quality of life of women is menstruation. Disorders and irregularity in menstruation or premenstrual syndrome can be a factor for creating chronic stress and anxiety in women and severely affect their lives. One of the properties of saffron for women is the ability to stimulate menstruation, and its consumption before the onset of menstruation can lead to stimulation of menstruation and creating order in menstruation. Also, research has shown that consuming saffron for several periods can lead to a 50% reduction in premenstrual syndrome complications
- Improvement of gastric disorders
One of the oldest and most famous uses of the saffron plant is to reduce stomach discomfort and excessive flatulence. The soothing and anti-inflammatory nature of saffron calms and reduces stomach inflammation.
Also, saffron can easily eliminate constipation, bloating, cramping and other serious conditions and disorders such as stomach ulcers.
- Strengthening the bone tissue of the body
Saffron contains minerals that increase the absorption of calcium in the digestive system. One of the main mechanisms for treating bone disorders and preventing problems such as osteoporosis and soft bones is to increase calcium absorption.
Apart from that, one of the main components of saffron is calcium, which has a high absorption capacity and can meet the calcium needs of our body.
- Strengthen blood circulation
Saffron has a lot of iron in its ingredients and it can lead to an increase in the production of red blood cells and ultimately increase the amount of hematocrit and hemoglobin in the blood.
Increasing the number of blood cells, in turn, leads to an increase in tissue oxygenation capacity and, as a result, blood circulation. Every 100 grams of saffron has 12 milligrams of iron.
One of the properties of saffron is regulating the function of the immune system and controlling pain. You must know that most of the time pain is a defensive reaction caused by the activity of the immune system and the cytokines produced by it. Saffron has the ability to regulate and adjust the immune system in a positive direction.
In a clinical study, it was shown that the consumption of saffron extract in the amount of 75 mg/kg of body weight and during 14 days can lead to an increase in the level of serum immunoglobulin IGG against a chronic blood disease.
Also, the vitamins and minerals in saffron lead to strengthening the immune system and improving enzyme functions in people. It should be noted that the active ingredients in saffron are natural and have the highest and best possible absorption in the human body.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.