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Stay warm and fight the flu this winter with the healing prowess of saffron

Kesar is one of the most underrated spices that has a warming effect on the body. Here are the benefits of saffron you must know about.
Saffron is the spice you need to alleviate menopausal symptoms. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Shreya Gupta Published: 23 Nov 2020, 13:38 pm IST
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Although this is the season of festivity, it is also the time to catch a flu. And that’s why it is important to take care of your health, more than ever. But, thankfully there are plenty of home remedies that can help your body fight illnesses. One of them is saffron, which is not as utilised as it should be!

Saffron, also known as kesar, is one of the most expensive spices in the world. Apart from adding aroma, flavour and a beautiful colour to the food, here are four benefits of saffron that will make you add this spice to your diet. 

1. Relieves symptoms of depression

Living in a fast-paced world with so many stressors is hard, and that’s why maintaining good mental health gets difficult. While talks around mental health are increasing, there’s still a lot of stigma around it. Getting treated at the right time is essential, and it gets better when spices like saffron can help you to maintain good mental health. Saffron is believed to have mood-boosting properties, because of which it is often known as the sunshine spice.

A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that saffron is effective in treating mild to moderate depression. Another review published in the Journal of Integrative Medicine also found that saffron is helpful when it comes to improving symptoms of depression.

2. Can enhance immunity

During the covid times, we all have understood the importance of having a strong immune system. Saffron can help you with that! The spice is rich in carotenoids, which is believed to improve immunity. For a study, healthy men were given saffron for daily use. The results showed that it could have immunomodulatory effects, without showing any side effects.

The secret to a strong immunity? Maybe saffron! Image courtesy: Shutterstock
3. Helps to fight seasonal flu

You might have noticed that with a change in season, you tend to fall sick. Cough, cold and fever are all symptoms of seasonal flu, and saffron can help to keep you healthy. Being rich in antioxidants, saffron fights off all the free radicals. So, saffron is a must-have, if you want to keep seasonal flu at bay.

​4. Reduces blood pressure and improves heart health

Saffron is rich in potassium and consuming it daily can help to reduce blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels, thereby reducing the risk of any blockages and heart diseases. A study published in the Indian 1 found that saffron can reduce bad cholesterol levels that damage the tissue.

Here are two different ways you can have this wonderful spice every single day:

1. Saffron Tea

Saffron tea, also known as Kashmiri kahwa is a traditional Kashmiri drink. You can prepare the tea by infusing saffron, cloves and cinnamon in water, and then flavour it with cardamom. The other spices are also warm in nature, and can add more benefits.

Also, read: Can’t stand haldi doodh? Give this spiced turmeric tea recipe a chance to bask in curcumin’s health benefits

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2. Saffron milk

The easiest and simplest way to have saffron is by adding a pinch of it in a hot cup of milk. Prepare your milk the way you prepare it, just add the saffron, and you are done!

So ladies, are you all set to add saffron to your lives? We surely are!

Shreya Gupta

Finding nirvana in good food, Shreya also loves reading books and is a die-hard Potterhead. Confident and motivated she's fun to be with. Plus food. Always. ...Read More

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