Saffron Health Benefits: The Sweet Secrets of the “Red Gold”

Saffron Health Benefits: The Sweet Secrets of the “Red Gold”

 

From the time being, saffron has not only been named as one of the royal ingredients in any lavish kitchen, it has also been treated royally for its amazing health benefits. From ancient sagas to recent studies, health benefits of saffron are well proven to believe in now. Some of them are sure to surprise many who used to think saffron can only make a dish look and smell delightfully.

Saffron: For Enhanced Eyesight

In a quite recent study, it has been found that, consumption of saffron delays the degradation of eyesight due to age. It also helps in the cases of macular degeneration. Thanks to its anti-oxidant features, saffron works on even modifying some related genes to increase the health and strength of the eye tissues. Plus, in a common sense, the rich orange-red color suggests a good lot of carotenoid, which makes both carrots and saffron friendly for younger eyesight.

Saffron: For Demeaning Depression and Insomnia

Traditionally, in many countries, saffron has been used as an anti-depression element for centuries. Studies say, the fluoxetine, an active constituent of saffron, helps in soothing down the stressed nerves and in settling down from wearies and worries. Though this concern is still under extensive investigation to find out the possible side-effects, if any; a warm glass of milk with a little saffron in it has been a long tradition in countries like India to invite a good night’s sleep.

Saffron: For a Better Bowel

Health benefits of saffron surely include a better bowel experience over all. From an improved digestion to gas and acidity problems to even an expansion of effects towards kidney and liver, multiple researches show hints that saffron intakes help all of the mentioned ones. Saffron has a good reputation of being a blood purifier and to be supportive to have control over blood pressure, which results in over all health of the internal system.

Saffron: For Avoiding Alzheimer’s Disease and Improving Memory

Alzheimer’s disease is surely one of the cruelest one that destroys memory and plays with it. Since saffron is rich in crocin and crocetin, which are responsible to develop the performance of brain in terms of increasing the capability of processing memories. Saffron can be one natural way for the elderly ones to be in health with an active memory.

Saffron: Cure for Cancer

Saying that saffron cures cancer will definitely be an exaggeration, but it lends a hand to have the disease of the diseases in check. There have been cases where saffron and its goodness of anti-oxidant enzymes helped the body to create a protection against tumors. Potential tumors that may turn into cancer may face a barrier while spreading because of saffron’s presence. More researches are taking place to have specific data about this health benefit of Saffron.

In many of the saffron manufacturing countries, especially in Morocco, it is called the “Red Gold”, not only for its economical importance to them, but also for its exclusiveness as an ingredient.

Cooking with Saffron: Picking the Preparation

One great thing about saffron as a spice is that it can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. In different countries and cultures, the use of saffron in cooking is as diverse as anything. For home cooking, the most favorite saffron dishes are the seafood and rice ones. A little saffron certainly makes a big difference in some soups and even beverages. Saffron tea and saffron glazed shakes are considered to be restaurant quality drinks indeed. No matter what the preparation is, it has to be made sure that the use of saffron lifts up the dish instead of leaving it overdone. There are hundreds of saffron recipes from all over the world available which can be tried to enjoy the cuisine of grandiose.

Saffron is not only a one-of-a-kind spice, but also an ingredient that contains a lot of health benefits. A bottle of genuine Saffron can be the beginning of one amazing cooking experience.

Cooking with Saffron: Using it the Right Way

Saffron is not an everyday ingredient, like said before. Since it needs a special dish to be used in, it has to be used in the right way as well. Saffron recipes often lack the instruction of how and when to put it in the dish. Generally, two or there threads of saffron are enough for a full meal. The threads have to be drenched in the water for at least two hours before using it. The dried out strands need to open up and get mixed in the water to release the color and aroma. These cannot just be thrown in a dish on the stove. Avoiding wooden cookware can stop the texture of saffron being soaked up by the utensil itself!

Cooking with Saffron: Choosing the Authentic Strands

Since saffron is a spice or ingredient that is a bit expensive than the others, many often try to go for the cheap packs, most of which are, unfortunately, fake and adulterated. There are things in this world which can never be counterfeited or compromised in quality, saffron is one of those. If only the color is concerned, any liquid food colors can do it; but not buying saffron at all is better than purchasing duplicate ones just for the sake of saving money. Among the varieties, Moroccan, Spanish, Indian or any other, only the guaranteed and authentic ones can work like magic. No one buys saffron in bulk; a 100 gram bottle can go a long way in any kitchen. It is better to choose the strands over the powered ones.

Cooking with Saffron: The Saga of the Sultan of Spices

If there is a list made of spices that have both a legacy from the dawn of civilization and a direct lineage with the royal culinary art, saffron would not only ensure a place in it, it may even top the list. For the exclusively attentive treatment it needs to be picked and then turned to be the Sultan of Spices, saffron means something more than ordinary, close to majestic cooking. The amazing aroma, irreplaceable flavor and brilliant texture it adds to a dish justify the extra expenditure it comes with comparing to other common ingredients.