Saffron: healthy for the heart and stomach and against depression
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Saffron is healthy for several reasons. The most impressive health benefits of saffron are its ability to improve your breathing, optimize the digestive system, eliminate pain, improve your sleep, reduce bleeding, improve the health of your heart and circulation, prevent diabetes, reduce bone strengthen and improve your immune function. Research also shows that saffron (supplements) can be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. But beware, because too much saffron is dangerous and can cause complaints.
What is saffron?
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Precious spice Saffron is a spice extracted from the saffron crocus, a root vegetable. Saffron has been known for its color, flavor and medicinal properties since ancient times. This spice appears, for example, in the love poem Song of Songs in the Bible (Song of Songs 4:14). This exotic and precious spice comes from Southern Europe and is nowadays cultivated worldwide in many countries, especially Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, Iran and the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Saffron Crocus
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The saffron crocus (Crocus sativus L.) is a root vegetable of the iris family and grows to about 15-20 cm long and produces purple colored flowers during each flowering season, which lasts from October to November. In the center of the petals there are three red stamens with pistils and during flowering the flowers are harvested and then dried over fire or in the sun. These dried orange-yellow stamens form 'saffron', a prized seasoning.
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45 minMain dishRed cabbage, mild olive oil, quinoa plus, forest outing, lemon, sesame oil, soy sauce less salt, Bio Today tahini white in pot, tap water,grilled red cabbage with quinoa salad -
30 minDessertBrie, Roquefort, port salut, gruyere, Camembert, walnut, garlic, thyme, honey, grape, baguette, Red onion, red grape, raisins, Red wine, Red wine vinegar, Brown sugar,generous cheese plate with onion marmalade -
30 minDessertFull Milk, whipped cream, macaroon, custard powder, vanilla sugar, sugar, protein, amaretto, almond liqueur, basic recipe cooking pears,macaroon pastry with casserole
Taste
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Saffron has a distinct flavor that comes from chemical compounds such as picrocrocin and safranal. It also contains a natural carotenoid chemical compound, crocin, which gives saffron its golden yellow hue. These properties along with its medicinal properties make it a valuable ingredient in many cuisines worldwide.
Powder, threads and supplements
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The most common form of saffron is in the dried or powdered form, but you can also get saffron supplements at certain health food stores. Only a small amount of the herb is required to have an effect, and the maximum to be consumed in a day is between 0.5 gram and 1 gram of this valuable herb.
Saffron stimulates immunity
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Saffron contains high concentrations of certain important nutrients, including vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is important to human health because it stimulates the immune system's production of white blood cells, the body's first line of defense against disease. It is also crucial for the production of collagen, a protein found in the deeper, living skin layer that contributes to wound healing, muscle growth, blood vessel repair, tissue production and healthy skin.
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5 minDrink without alcoholbananas, cool fresh apple-pear raspberry juice, Soy drink vanilla,soy fruit shake -
20 minMain dishsauerkraut, sticking potato, liquid baking product, half-to-half minced, Spice meatballs, pineapple, olive oil, liquid baking product,gratin sauerkraut dish with minced meat -
40 minMain dishlemongrass, fresh ginger, Red peppers, onions, tomato cubes, fresh cod fillet, coriander, oil, ground turmeric (koenjit), coconut milk, salt,fish in creamy coconut sauce -
15 minSide dishsweet potato, soft goat cheese, egg, spring / forest onion,stuffed sweet potato with egg
Saffron healthy for circulation (blood circulation)
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Saffron can function as an effective energy booster and can increase your metabolism by improving blood circulation. Saffron contains a high concentration of iron, a mineral that is necessary for the production of red blood cells and which stimulates circulation and the oxygenation (saturation with oxygen) of organs and tissues in the body. This improves the efficiency and functioning of the tissues and organs and also prevents anemia.
Saffron healthy for the heart
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Improving heart health seems to be one of the most important goals of human health today, and an easy way to do this is to increase your potassium intake. Saffron is a good source of potassium, among other things. This mineral can help dilate the veins and blood vessels, effectively lowering pressure on blood vessels and arteries, so that blood pressure can drop and the load on the cardiovascular system decreases. This can prevent atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis), heart attacks and strokes.
Preventing diabetes
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Crocetin in saffron tackles insulin resistance. Insulin resistance often results in type 2 diabetes over time. Research also indicates that the consumption of saffron in combination with resistance exercise (which aims to improve the strength of the muscles to be contracted) is effective in the treatment of diabetes. [!1]
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30 minMain dishtraditional olive oil, lean ground beef, frozen Mexican wok vegetables, salsa sauce mild, taco shell, grated young cheese, creme fraiche,Mexican vegetable in tacos -
95 minMain dishmaize chicken, lemon, coarse sea salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, thyme, zucchini, tomatoes (small to), black olives without pit,provençal chicken with zucchini and tomatoes
Saffron effective for mild to moderate depression
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Saffron is known to relieve mild to moderate depression, and improve mood in those who consume it regularly. The many active compounds in saffron have some effect on the endocrine system and can stimulate the release of beneficial hormones that keep you happy and healthy. The herb is being hailed as a natural antidepressant by numerous studies and organizations. [!2]
Saffron strengthens the bones
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Some minerals and organic compounds in saffron are associated with an optimized absorption of nutrients, especially calcium. By maximizing the amount of calcium your body can absorb from food, you have a better chance of improving bone density and preventing the development of conditions such as osteoporosis and other age-related degenerative diseases.
Improves nerve function
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The B family of vitamins is one that is often overlooked in human health, but it plays an important role in nerve function throughout the body. More specifically, the high content of vitamin B6 in saffron can benefit your nervous system and neural pathways.
Analgesic properties
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Pain relief is always a valuable property of an herb or natural remedy, and the volatile substance safranal in saffron acts as a sedative in many people. This sedative action can help relieve pain, reduce anxiety and stress, improve sleep patterns, and generally calm the mind and body, which is always a good thing.
Saffron can prevent cancer
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Among the more than 100 different compounds present in the complex form of saffron are also antioxidants. Dozens of antioxidants have been found in saffron, many of which are looking for free radicals to eliminate them. Free radicals are the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism that can cause healthy cells to mutate or die. Removing free radicals boosts overall immune system health, but more specifically, it can also prevent cancer from developing or spreading in the body. [!3]
Saffron for stomach disorders
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One of the oldest and best known uses of saffron is for stomach discomfort and excessive flatulence. The sedative and anti-inflammatory effects of saffron help to calm the stomach and reduce inflammation, relieving symptoms such as constipation, bloating, cramps and other serious conditions such as stomach ulcers.
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25 minSmall dishflour, frozen puff pastry, egg, milk, walnut, mature cheese, paprika, dried Provençal herbs,puff pastry-sticks -
20 minSide dishEggs, lettuce, parsley, olive oil (extra virgin), tarragon vinegar, salt and freshly ground pepper,lettuce with egg dressing -
15 minSmall dishbaking flour, peanut oil, flat leaf parsley,ar'nabit mi'li -
15 minAppetizerScottish salmon fillet, butter or margarine, fresh dill, creme fraiche, dry white wine, arugula lettuce melange, pan tostado,baked salmon with white-wine sauce
To treat inflammation
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Saffron oil and creams can eliminate pain throughout the body by applying or massaging the substance to the painful area. For people suffering from sports injuries, arthritis, rheumatism, gout and other inflammatory conditions, this is a great remedy. It can also be used for bruises. The fast-acting antioxidants in saffron help speed up the healing process.
Saffron overdose warning
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Side Effects Consuming saffron in high doses is potentially dangerous, as the high concentration of active ingredients can have a range of effects on the body. However, in small doses (such as in meals or in the form of supplements), saffron - as far as is known - has no side effects and no allergenic properties. Some side effects that have been reported include dry mouth and throat, dizziness, nausea, anxiety and panic, tiredness and appetite changes, but these are rare.