20/04/2022
Saffron Side Effects You Didn’t Know
Saffron or Zaferan overuse may result in different side effect symptoms, even though it is reported to be beneficial for health, pharmaceuticals, and industrial purposes.
Just like any other ingredient, we cannot ignore its possible side effects and troubles of over dosages. You have all heard about saffron’s side effects on pregnancy and abortion. This blog goes further than this and analyzes saffron side effects in more detail. Plus, there are several saffron risks, which we covered at the end of this blog post.
What are saffron side effects?
Saffron consumption may bring different allergies and side effects. Some people may show allergic reactions while some may get involved with different side effects due to over usage or misuse. People, with special health backgrounds, may also experience some side effects after using saffron.
Anxiety and mood swings
Removing anxiety and uplifting mood have been reported as a saffron health benefit. Saffron rushes serotonin through your veins and metabolize serotonin. Therefore, saffron is known as an anti-depressant spice. The sudden rush of serotonin may lead to anxiety, impulsive behavior, agitation till your body’s serotonin level is back under your control. People suffering from bipolar disorder may take more time to adjust to such a sudden shift. It is unsafe to take saffron for people with bipolar disorder, as they may experience mood swings for a while.
Allergic reaction to saffron consumption
Some people may experience allergic reactions due to saffron consumption. Saffron carotenoids and aeroallergen may be responsible for such allergic reactions. Saffron mostly affects the respiratory system or causes symptoms like nasal congestion, breathing problems, or hives.
During pregnancy and breast-feeding
It is unsafe to take saffron for women during their pregnancy and breastfeeding periods. Saffron stimulates the uterus to contract, which can result in more serious troubles such as miscarriage or complete abortion.
Saffron consumption can shrink the uterus and cause complications or even miscarriage. The studies of saffron usage on breastfeeding mothers are yet incomplete. However, it is recommended to avoid saffron consumption until you are done breastfeeding. The reason is that you can transmit potential toxicity to the baby via your milk.
Skin color changes
Some studies have claimed that excessive consumption of saffron changes skin color. More importantly, saffron crocin, its main coloring component, can have a yellowish effect on face skin and even on the eyes.
Drug interaction
It is unsafe to take saffron with different drugs. For example, patients, who are taking blood pressure-lowering or sedative drugs, may face serious side effects by supplementing saffron. Therefore, it is advisable to consult with your doctor in case you have a special health condition.
In addition to that, taking a large amount of saffron may increase the risk of hypotension, blood urea, or reduce the platelets concentration, immune cells, or hemoglobin. Such effects may increase the potential risk of different disorders.
Who should not use saffron?
Saffron is an incredible spice with wide range of health benefits, however, pregnant women should avoid using large amount of saffron. In addition to this, people with special health condition, who have been directly banned from using saffron, must not use saffron in their diet.
In addition to this, people who have allergic reactions to saffron, should limit this spice from their diet. It is advisable to be cautious about saffron consumption in such cases.
The main saffron side effects may include but not limited to:
- Vomiting
- Agitation
- Drowsiness and dizziness
- Anxiety
- Nausea
- Headache
- Flushing
- Diarrhea
- Change in appetite
- And many more
How much saffron is safe to take daily?
For those people who are not experiencing special conditions or not suffering from allergic reactions to saffron, it is recommended to take no more than 30mg of saffron daily. In case you are not allergic to saffron and are not prohibited from taking saffron, by your doctor prescription, you probably won’t face any of the above-mentioned saffron side effects.
Does saffron kill you?
Taking saffron more than 5 grams is considered toxic and 12-20 grams of saffron will probably cause death. In addition to that, for some people with underlying diseases, saffron consumption may be even life-threatening.
Although saffron can have positive effects on human health, it can also have two faces. Taking too much saffron or even small amounts (for people with special health conditions or allergies) can have minor to life-threatening side effects. That is why we recommend you consult with your doctor and keep moderation in the saffron dosage of your regular diet. You should visit your doctor as soon as you noticed saffron side effects symptoms.
What are Saffron risks?
Using too much saffron or with special health conditions causes some risks. Normally, people in these conditions should not use this spice to avoid saffron risks:
- Adults over 65
- People with kidney problems
- People with bleeding conditions
- Children
- Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers
- People with severe allergic reactions.
It is important to pay close attention to saffron risks for women under special health conditions. For example, using saffron by pregnant woman can lead to abortion or miscarriage.
In addition to that, any person should monitor his daily consumption of saffron as consuming too much saffron will result in many saffron risks including death.