Saffron Benefits for Heart Health

Saffron is truly the most expensive spice due to its wide range of health benefits and special taste and aroma. Herbal medicine has become a valuable source of treatment, these days. In addition to all saffron health benefits, saffron is useful for cardiovascular and heart health. Saffron regulates blood circulation, and heartbeat, lowers cholesterol levels, and maintains arteries and blood vessels in a healthy condition. Moreover, saffron antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties improve the heart’s overall performance. This time, we focus on saffron health benefits for heart well-being.

How is saffron good for heart health?

Saffron can be an herbal supplement to protect individuals from cardiovascular diseases. Lycopene, as an existent flavonoid in saffron, plays an important role in providing the necessary protection against cardiovascular diseases and attacks. Kaempferol increases heart pumping capacity, making it function more effectively.

Studies have shown that saffron lowers blood cholesterol levels. The existence of crocetin has proved to be effective in reducing the cholesterol level in the blood, as well as reduction of atherosclerosis severity. Consequently, the risk of heart attacks is decreased. Crocin also inhibits the increase of triglycerides, and LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein), keeping the heart function better and be away from diseases.

Saffron’s anti-inflammatory properties improve blood vessels and heart performance. Inflammation of atherosclerosis will result in CVD (Cardio Vascular Disease). Vessel inflammation induces chemokines, adhesion molecules release, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generates inflammation and many oxidative enzymes. The production of oxidative enzymes and low antioxidant levels in cardiac tissues increases the risk of heart oxidative damage. Here, saffron supplements can play an important role to provide anti-oxidant properties for the wellbeing of cardiac organs. Anthocyanins, flavonoids, and carotenoids are responsible for saffron antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Not only fighting with the present oxidative forces but also, saffron can increase antioxidant capacity in individuals. In addition to that, carotenoid antioxidant positively affects the development of atherosclerosis and decrease the negative effects of a high lipid diet.

Another study showed that saffron supplementation significantly decreases systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults. High blood pressure will result in the dysfunctionality of many organs, such as cardiovascular dysfunction. In this study, saffron is found to be effective in reducing blood pressure levels. Therefore, it helps a lot to minimize the risk of heart disease or attacks.

Cardiac hypertension is the reason for heart stroke, heart attack, and many other diseases. Hypertension is known to be a predisposing factor for cardiovascular diseases. Many studies have proved the vaso-modulatory effects on hypertension symptoms. Inhibition of hypertension will limit the possibility of heart disorders and attacks.

Crocin is also responsible for inhibition of gastric and pancreatic lipase, as well as myocardial infarction, myocardial lipid peroxidation, and malondialdehyde. The myocardial infarction is induced by isoproterenol. This normally occurs after oxidative stress regulation.

How to use saffron for heart health purposes?

Please note that using saffron cannot cure cardiovascular diseases alone. The saffron extract can be used as chemical drug supplementation. They even boost the chemical drug’s effectiveness on cardiovascular diseases.  However, we highly recommend consulting with your doctor, before taking any dosage of saffron consumption.

Saffron has many more benefits for human being health. To have a general look at some of the main saffron health benefits and pharmaceutical uses, it is advisable to read ” What is Saffron Health Benefits?“