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Saffron against depression
Eating saffron or taking supplements works against depression. Saffron is tasty to add to rice or a rice substitute.
Mechanism of action of saffron's antidepressant properties
Various components in saffron (crocin, crocetine, safranal) have a strong antidepressant effect, partly due to anti-inflammatory effects, reduction of oxidative stress, regulation of the stress response (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), stimulation of GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acid) neurotransmission, and inhibition of reuptake of monoamine neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin) in the brain. Extracts of the stigmas (saffron) and petals of Crocus sativus have equally strong antidepressant activity. Animal studies have shown that saffron (particularly safranal) has calming and anxiolytic effects; crocine counteracts compulsive disorder (obsessive-compulsive disorder).
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Posted : 17 March 2019 16:42