Every time we go to the grocery store, we see the vast range of options for daily dietary supplements. At times it may be overwhelming and hard to know what you want or need. It is easy to look at the basics like iron, potassium, and calcium among others. However, there are other supplements you can add to your daily routine that fall outside of the basic vitamins and minerals and can benefit your health. Here we will take a look at two of these options, saffron and turmeric, and how they can benefit you both in their similarities and in their differences.
Saffron
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Antioxidant
- Saffron gains its antioxidant nature from four compounds that make up its structure, two of which also provide its red coloring and one that provides its taste and smell. These compounds are kaempferol, safranal, crocin, and crocetin with the latter two being the ones that provide the red pigment and safranal its flavor and smell. Antioxidants are important because they help reduce free radicals within the body which can lead to oxidative stress if there are too many.
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Antidepressant
- Saffron compounds are also purported to aid in easing depressive symptoms and boosting mood. While more research is needed, it appears to work in treating mild and moderate cases of depression. This has helped gain it the nickname of the sunshine spice for its purported mood boosting properties as well as its color.
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PMS Reduction
- There are a range of PMS symptoms that can be experienced and saffron may be able to help reduce some of them in mild to moderate cases. This includes symptoms such as headaches, cravings, irritability, and some pain. While everyone’s bodies respond to things differently, saffron may be a natural aid in easing PMS symptoms every month.
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Aphrodisiac
- While more studies are needed it is purported that saffron may increase libido especially for those that may be experiencing low libido as a side effect of antidepressants. Men may experience a reduction in erectile dysfunction and an increase in libido and satisfaction. Women may notice a reduction in pain from intercourse and an increase in libido and lubrication.
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Weight Loss
- Saffron is believed to help reduce snacking habits, a key factor in weight gain. While more research is needed into how saffron works to reduce snacking, some researchers believe it is because of its mood boosting properties helping to reduce your desire to snack. Taking saffron daily may help you to feel more full and less likely to snack which will help aid in your weight loss journey.
It is believed that you only need thirty milligrams of saffron to experience its benefits and that you can safely consume up to one and a half grams a day. However, taking five or more grams a day can lead to negative and potentially toxic side effects. It is recommended for pregnant women to avoid high doses to avoid risk of miscarriage. Saffron is an expensive spice because it is difficult and expensive to harvest, make sure you get yours from a reputable source as some manufacturers will mix in other ingredients, like paprika, to cut costs.
Turmeric
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Antioxidant
- Turmeric owes its antioxidant nature to its main active compound, curcumin. Curcumin is the compound that gives turmeric not only its signature color but also its range of health benefits. Just like with saffron, this antioxidant nature helps fight excessive amounts of free radicals within the body to lower risks of disease.
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Anti-Inflammatory
- Inflammation that is short term is beneficial to our bodies, it shows that our immune system is working to protect us. However, long-term, or chronic, inflammation is a sign of an underlying issue that needs to be treated. The curcumin within turmeric aids in reducing inflammation which can help ease symptoms for a number of diseases and disorders such as arthritis.
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Antidepressant
- Similar to saffron, turmeric is purported to help ease depressive symptoms in mild to moderate cases. While more studies and research is needed, it is believed that curcumin can help reduce inflammation and increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor that is believed to play a role in depression.
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Pain Relief
- Since turmeric is purported to reduced inflammation, it can aid in pain reduction associated with inflammation. Whether it is from arthritis or swelling from a bump or around a cut. This is a benefit from adding turmeric and curcumin supplements, like those offered by Vidafy, to your daily routine.
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Lowered Risk of Heart Disease
- Inflammation plays a role in heart disease, as do a number of other things, and as we have established, turmeric aids in reducing inflammation. It is purported that turmeric also aids in the functioning of your endothelium which is the lining of blood vessels. This in turn helps your body get the oxygen it needs while maintaining blood pressure and clotting.