Effects of saffron extract supplementation on mood, well-being, and response to a psychosocial stressor in healthy adults: A randomized, double-blind, parallel group, clinical trial
Anxiety, stress, and low mood are interrelated and may play a role in the onset of depressive symptoms. Among non-pharmacological approaches for improving mild mood disturbances and building resilience to stress, natural products like saffron—showing promising effects in major depressive disorder—offer a potential solution. This study by Jackson et al. (2021) aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an 8-week supplementation of 30 mg standardized saffron extract on emotional well-being in healthy adults experiencing subclinical symptoms of low mood, anxiety, and/or stress, as well as to assess saffron’s acute impact in response to a laboratory-induced psychosocial stressor. For eight weeks, 56 healthy male and female volunteers (ages 18–54) were randomly assigned to receive either saffron extract or a placebo in a double-blind, parallel-group trial. Acute effects were evaluated by measuring psychological and physiological reactions to a lab-based psychosocial stressor, whereas chronic effects on anxiety, stress, and depressed symptoms were investigated using questionnaires (such as the Profile of Mood State-2, or POMS). Urinary crocetin levels were also quantified. At the study’s conclusion, those who received saffron extract reported reduced depression scores and better social relationships. Furthermore, saffron supplementation led to a substantial rise in urine crocetin levels, which were linked to a decrease in depression ratings. The usual decrease in heart rate variability (HRV) due to stress was lessened after acute saffron intake. Saffron extract may strengthen resistance against stress-related mental illnesses and appears to alleviate moderate depression symptoms in healthy people overall. [NPID: saffron, depression, anxiety, heart rate variability, crocetin]
Year: 2021
