Did you know that saffron- a spice widely used in Indian dishes does a lot more than just adding exotic flavors to your dish? Saffron has some impressive health benefits, one of them being weight loss. 

Saffron

Saffron, the most expensive spice in the world and it is derived from the dry stigmata of the plant Crocus Sativus. The plant is a bulbous, perennial with globular corms, 15-20 cm high. It has 6 to 10 leaves present at anthesis, one to two flowers with a lilac-purple colour with perianth segments of 3.5 – 5 cm and style branches of 2.5 – 3.2 cm.Saffron supplements are purported to curb appetite and reduce carvings thus can used as aid for Weight loss. The yellow style is deeply divided into three branches and the stigmata are bright red. Flowers are arising directly from the corms. Flowers have tri-lobed stigma, which along with the style tops yield the saffron of commerce.

Saffron is used as a culinary seasoning and to colour, cottage cheese, chicken and meat, rise, mayonnaise, liquors and cordials. It is also used in speciality breads, cakes, confectionaries, Mughlai dishes. Saffron is also used as a perfume in cosmetics. In medicine saffron is used in fevers, melancholia, and enlargement of liver and spleen. In Ayurvedic medicine it is used to heal arthritis, impotence and infertility. It has wide range of uses in Chinese and Tibetan medicines.

Weight loss

Weight loss, in the context of medicine, health, or physical fitness, refers to a reduction of the total body mass, due to a mean loss of fluid, body fat or adipose tissue or lean mass, namely bone mineral deposits, muscle, tendon, and other connective tissue. The loss in Weight can either occur unintentionally due to malnourishment or an underlying disease or arise from a conscious effort to improve an actual or perceived overweight or obese state. "Unexplained" weight loss that is not caused by reduction in calorific intake or exercise is called cachexia and may be a symptom of a serious medical condition. Intentional weight loss is commonly referred to as slimming. 

How saffron helps in weight loss

Saffron helps in weight loss in many ways. They are:

Saffron can help in losing appetite. By taking Saffron on a regular basis one can boost satiety which means that they will feel full for a long period of time. 

Saffron affects the level of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that has direct impact on the feeling of fullness. This is how saffron naturally restrains appetite. When people are using saffron regularly, they limit the emergence for cravings for snacks. They will also cut down sugar cravings. Thus to prevent overeating and emotional eating we can use Saffron.

Saffron has the ability to manage fat accumulation by acting as an appetite suppressant. Saffron can also optimize metabolic function. Namely saffron will speed up thermogenesis. It means it will burn fat faster and keep the user safe from formation of new fat deposits.    

Some other benefits of using saffron

  • Optimized work of the respiratory system
  • Soothing kidney, stomach and body pain
  • Treating fever and cold
  • Preventing skin problems and more

How to safely use saffron for weight loss

Saffron is a safe spice for weight loss, yet it is good to learn about how to use saffron for weight loss in the right way. It is all about taking the right dosage. Saffron should be taken in pure form, one that does not contain any binders, filters, artificial colours or preservatives.