Source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances, saffron can be your great ally for a healthy diet.
Saffron, also known as turmeric, has a number of anti-inflammatory properties. Mainly responsible for this action is curcumin, the pigment that gives turmeric its yellow-gold color. “This spice also serves as a natural medicine and herbal medicine, a powerful food and dietary supplement,” says endocrinologist and nutrilogist Gabriela Abdo Camargo, from Clínica Leger.
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Therefore, the expert lists 4 of the main benefits of saffron for diet and health and how to include it in the menu. Watch!
1. protect the heart: Saffron prevents the buildup of “bad” cholesterol, which protects the heart and prevents you from having a heart attack or stroke. Additionally, science has found that curcumin reduces the risk of heart failure.
two. Prevents premature ageing: Numerous studies indicate that these properties found in saffron are mainly attributed to carotenoids – crocin and safranal – with antioxidant properties and selective scavengers of free radicals.
3. Prevents diabetes: This powerful substance can also prevent the development of diabetes. One study, conducted with pre-diabetics, included curcumin extract in their diet for nine months. One group actually consumed saffron, but the other didn’t. At the end of the study, none of the individuals who received the curcumin doses developed type 2 diabetes.
4. Reduces inflammation in the body: Used in Indian cooking, turmeric extract (or turmeric) is a spice with anti-inflammatory properties. And this substance increases the resistance of cells to oxidative damage, as well as reduces inflammatory processes in the body. Additionally, consuming this extract still inhibits the growth of bacteria, parasites, and fungi, which cause disease.
How to include saffron in the menu?
If the above reasons were not enough, the doctor also guarantees that saffron benefits health, supporting the cure of numerous clinical and chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes, cholesterol, hepatitis and even malaria. “One of its main active compounds is curcumin. Its mechanism of anti-inflammatory action acts on the arachidonic acid cascade, i.e. on the inflammatory cascade, inhibiting the molecules involved in the inflammatory process. , therefore, involves different biological phenomena that interfere with cellular activations and molecular signals, naming the therapeutic anti-inflammatory activity,” he concludes.
And getting it into your diet is easier than you might think. “In the diet, use the powdered seasoning liberally in soups, breads, cakes, biscuits, omelettes, tapioca. Also, there are no restrictions for its use in poultry, meat and stews, vegetables, rice, beans, peas, etc. The powdered version can also be used in juices and sprinkled on salads and soups. But it is worth remembering that saffron is contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding and for children under the age of four,” concludes the doctor.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
