From the Guidelines
Saffron supplements are not generally recommended for people with diabetes due to lack of clear evidence of benefit in improving outcomes. The most recent and highest quality study, 1, does not support the use of saffron or other herbal supplements for glycemic control in people with diabetes who do not have underlying deficiencies. Key points to consider when evaluating the usefulness of saffron as a supplement include:
- The active compounds in saffron, including crocin, crocetin, and safranal, may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties.
- However, there is no clear evidence that saffron supplementation can improve outcomes in people with diabetes.
- As with any supplement, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider before starting saffron, especially if you are taking medications.
- The American Diabetes Association recommends individualized meal planning and medical nutrition therapy to achieve treatment goals, rather than relying on supplements like saffron 1.
- A variety of eating patterns can be considered for the management of type 2 diabetes, but there is no single ideal dietary distribution of calories among carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for people with diabetes 1. Some potential benefits of saffron supplements, such as improving mood disorders or supporting eye health, may be relevant to specific individuals, but these benefits are not directly related to diabetes management. Overall, the lack of clear evidence supporting the use of saffron supplements for diabetes management, combined with the potential risks and interactions with other medications, suggests that saffron is not a useful supplement for people with diabetes.
From the Research
Saffron as a Supplement
- Saffron has been found to have potential benefits for human health, including antioxidant properties and neuroprotective effects 2.
- The bioactive constituents of saffron, such as crocin, crocetin, safranal, picrocrocin, and kaempferol, have shown promise in preventing and treating neurological disorders, including depression, anxiety, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease 2, 3.
- Clinical and preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of saffron and its constituents in improving cognitive function, mood, and other neurological outcomes 2, 3, 4.
Therapeutic Potential
- Saffron has been reported to exert neuroprotective effects through various mechanisms, such as modulating neurotransmitters, enhancing neurogenesis, reducing neuroinflammation, regulating oxidative stress, activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, and modulating epigenetic factors 2.
- Saffron and its active ingredients have been found to possess antidepressant properties similar to those of current antidepressant medications, but with fewer reported side effects 3.
- Saffron extract supplementation has been shown to improve subclinical depressive symptoms in healthy individuals and may contribute to increased resilience against the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders 4.
Comparison to Other Supplements
- While St. John's wort has been found to be superior to placebo and equivalent to standard antidepressants for the treatment of mild to moderate depression, saffron has been reported to have similar antidepressant effects with fewer side effects 5, 6.
- Saffron has been identified as a promising natural product for improving subclinical mood symptoms and resilience to stress, with effects comparable to those of St. John's wort 5, 4.