What Chemical Ingredients Make Saffron Valuable?

Saffron is one valuable spice in the world. Crocus Sativus is a plant, from which saffron stigmas are produced. The high value of saffron comes from its valuable chemical ingredient: crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal. Each of the saffron chemical ingredients has an important role in saffron coloring, taste, and aroma. Generally, saffron bioactive properties are what makes this spice valuable and healthy. The following lines provide brief information about saffron chemical ingredient, its function and benefits for health.

Saffron chemical ingredient: Crocin

Crocin is the responsible chemical agent for saffron coloring. The existence of crocin brings deep coloring power to the saffron plant. The higher crocin means more saffron coloring power. The crocin levels may vary in saffron production from different origins. Also, different types of saffron from a single origin may vary greatly, depending on how much style or white saffron it contains, saffron bulb genetics, well-being of soil and water, stripping and drying condition. For example, Iranian saffron contains higher amounts of crocin, compared to Afghan saffron. Again, among Iranian saffron types, Super Negin and Negin contain the most crocin level of all types.

Crocin health benefits and functions:

Crocin is a real solution for depression, anxiety, or similar emotional status. Using crocin can act as meditating agent. Crocin is also effective in fighting cancer cells and preventing further damage to the infected cells.

Moreover, crocin is an antioxidant agent, helping human health in many aspects. Treating Alzheimer’s disease, weight control, and fitness are other examples of crocin health benefits.

Saffron chemical ingredient: Picrocrocin

Picrocrocin is another chemical ingredient of saffron. Saffron has gained popularity for the extraordinary taste it adds to Iranian dishes. Nowadays, other cuisines have shown interest in using saffron in their recipes. Picrocrocin is the chemical ingredient that is responsible for producing the exceptional flavor of saffron. The bitter, hay-like taste of saffron comes from picrocrocin. Picrocrocin comes as an extracted compound of saffron with the help of laboratory equipment.

Picrocrocin health benefits and functions:

Picrocrocin can improve mood, enhance weight loss, relieve PMS symptoms, sexual function, etc. Moreover, picrocrocin is full of antioxidants, making it beneficial for many other health purposes.

Saffron chemical ingredient: Safranal

What is safranal?

Safranal is a natural organic compound found in saffron, the spice derived from the Crocus sativus flower. It is responsible for the distinctive aroma and flavor of saffron. Safranal has been the subject of scientific research due to its potential health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.This organic substance is what gives saffron a great odor and aroma and is extracted from Crocus Sativus oil.

safranal dosage

Dosages of safranal, or saffron supplements containing safranal, can vary depending on the purpose of use and the specific product. It’s crucial to follow the recommended dosage instructions provided by the manufacturer or as directed by a healthcare professional.

Safranal health benefits and functions:

Safranal has an antioxidant, antidepressant feature. In addition to that, safranal toxicity is effective against the growth of cancer cells. What’s more, safranal speeds up the healing procedure of wounded, burned, or cut skin. Also, the anti-inflammatory effect of safranal in renal tissues has been found useful for diabetic people. Not only for diabetic people but also safranal has been found effective for cardiovascular protection, in many studies.

Overall, the existence of chemical ingredients in saffron adds to the value of this spice. Its great health benefits and the fact that producing saffron is a labor-intensive process make it the most valuable herbal plant in the world. Saffron owes its health benefits to the existence of three chemical ingredients: safranal, crocin, and picrocrocin. It is important to buy high quality saffron from Iranian trustworthy suppliers as you may end up losing money on low-quality or fake saffron. SunLand, with years of experience in production and export of saffron gained the trust of many European and American companies.

Saffron Vitamins

Saffron is a popular spice in different countries and cultures for various culinary and cultural usages. Especially saffron plays an important role in Iranian cuisine and culture Besides saffron’s special flavor and aroma, saffron provides potential health benefits for its certain vitamins. Let’s see what vitamins and minerals can be found in saffron:

Vitamin C: A moderate amount of vitamin C supports the immune system and protects skin and hair as it promotes the production of collagen. Vitamin C is a source of antioxidant properties, and it restricts the damage of cells.

Vitamin B6: The existence of vitamin B6 in saffron facilitates metabolic processes as well as the production of neurotransmitters and red blood cells.

Vitamin A: The vitamin A available in saffron promotes the proper growth of cells, as well as supporting the immune system. Also, vitamin A is great for maintaining and improving vision.

In addition to vitamins, saffron small amounts of Folic Acid, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc can be found in saffron.