The term saffron may not be familiar in your ear. However, you need to know that saffron is the most expensive spice in the world that comes from Crocus sativus (flower girlfriend) flowers that grow in the Mediterranean. The spice known as kuma-kuma is generally has a golden orange color and is often used as a mixed ingredient for food spices in India and the Middle East.
Adding saffron in your food will give you a bit of yellowish orange for your food, and it also contains many health benefits that you may not be aware of. Since ancient Greek times, saffron has been used for culinary purposes and used as a treatment. Saffron comes from Crocus sativus. The stigma of this flower is lifted and then dried. The color will turn into maroon-yellow.
What are the nutritional contents of saffron?
- Energy             310 Kcal
- Carbohydrates     37 g
- Protein             43 g
- Fat                   85 g
- Dietary Fiber       9 g
- Folates                     93 µg
- Niacin                      46 mg
- Pyridoxine               010 mg
- Riboflavin              267 mg
- Vitamin A Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 530 IU
- Vitamin C Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 8 mg
- Sodium                    148 mg
- Potassium                1724 mg
- Calcium                   111 mg
- Copper                    328 mg
- Iron                         10 mg
- Magnesium              264 mg
- Manganese              408 mg
- Phosphorus              252 mg
- Selenium                 6 µg
- Zinc                         09 mg
Saffron is known for its rich antioxidant properties and its carotenoid properties. For example, in saffron, there is a safranal content which is one of the main antioxidants that has many health benefits. Because it has this property, saffron is relied upon in helping combat some health ailments. Another compound present in saffron is a crocin that known for its rich medicine benefits. Vitamin C and manganese are some of the essential nutrients present in saffron.
Ancient people believe that saffron is the right choice for pregnant women if they want to have a white child. However, there are various Health Benefits of Saffron during Pregnancy that pregnant women can harvest when eating foods containing saffron (make sure, not excessive). Experts recommend taking saffron in the second trimester to get more benefits.
To get some benefit, some people add saffron add to their food. However, consuming a glass of milk that has been added with a pinch of saffron is the best way to get its health benefits.
What are the health benefits of drinking milk with saffron?
- Helps in digestion
During pregnancy, indigestion is a very common problem. If you drink milk with saffron, then the acidity of the digestion can be overcome well. This benefit is same with Health Benefits of Bananas in Pregnancy.
- Make sleep better
Saffron can be used as a sedative. Pregnant women often experience insomnia. So make sure you drink a glass of milk with saffron before going to bed. Certainly your sleep is better quality.
- Baby moves on
If you want to feel the active movement in your fetus make sure to drink milk with saffron on a regular basis. But, it is advisable not to drink excessively.
- Overcome pain
Saffron has a useful anti-spasmodic properties that work to prevent pain in joints, back and stomach. Saffron can also help increase milk production. So, you will get some health benefits of drinking milk with saffron during pregnancy.
- Overcoming insomnia
Several studies have proven that saffron can be used to treat insomnia. Another study showed that saffron is very useful in helping overcome depression. Other studies conducted on mice have also found that crocin in saffron can be beneficial in improving non-rapid eye movement sleep. Another important part is that these compounds show no side effects (such as rebound insomnia) after sleep.
- Good in memory enhancement
In saffron, there is a rich compound called crocin, which makes people familiar with the benefits of saffron to improve concentration and memory. In order for you to get the most benefit, than you add saffron to regular food as a spice, it is much better if you regularly drink a glass of milk with saffron.
- Overcoming cramping pain during menstruation
The benefit of this one is for the women. Antioxidants and rich anti-inflammatory properties are present in the saffron. When you experience abdominal pain, menstrual cramps, and severe bleeding, a glass of milk with saffron is a powerful drink to relieve your pain.
- Overcoming depression
Carotenoids and vitamin B present in saffron will help you fight depression because that’s are nutrients that help increase levels of serotonin and other chemicals in the brain. So, if you feel you are experiencing Symptoms of Depression, the way to fight it effectively is to consume a glass of milk with saffron on a regular basis.
- Nourish the heart
Crocetin which is a compound known as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties has been found in saffron. This has been proven through several studies showing that crocetin can nourish the heart because it can help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and help prevent heart-related illnesses. So, a glass of milk with saffron is also one of the beverages that helps your body from Health Risks of Cholesterol. This is equivalent to Health Benefits of Cardamom for heart health.
- Treat cancer
Saffron also evidently helped treat cancer. This is possible because saffron has a crocin and safranal compound that is known for its anti-cancer properties. Preventing tumor growth and also functioning like an immune modulator and protecting the body from cancer are some of the benefits that your body can get if you consume milk with saffron regularly.
- Overcome the pain of arthritis
Again this is a benefit of the anti-inflammatory properties found in saffron. If you regularly consume milk with saffron, it will help the tissue get rid of lactic acid and thereby reduce the pain associated with inflammation and arthritis.
- Increase the immune system
Saffron can help increase the immune system because it contains many healthy nutrients. Before going to bed, you can consume a glass of milk with saffron to help your body get healthier.
- Useful for controlling blood pressure
An important chemical called crocetin found in saffron also helps keep blood pressure normal because it has a function to smooth blood flow. However, do not consume saffron excessively. A cup of warm milk with 2-3 saffron pieces taken once a day can help you get this benefit.
- As a treatment for colds and coughs
To treat sore throats and colds, especially during the winter, milk with saffron is the best choice. One of the Health Benefits of Milk is rich in protein and mixed with the Health Benefits of Saffron that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties mixed in a glass of warm saffron milk has a great influence in helping treat flu effectively.
So, there are many health benefits of drinking milk with saffron with the right dosage you can get every day.