Saffron: Research
Overview
This page provides a curated overview of selected peer-reviewed scientific studies examining saffron, a botanical derived from the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus. The goal of this page is to provide transparent access to commonly cited research in the scientific literature. The summaries below describe findings reported in published studies. They are presented for educational purposes as part of a clinician-led review of the scientific literature.
Important Context for Readers
Scientific studies examine outcomes in defined populations under specific research conditions. Results reported in individual studies may not apply to all individuals, and findings should not be interpreted as guaranteed outcomes. This page summarizes selected research examining mood, stress-related outcomes, sleep quality, cognition, menstrual comfort, and appetite-related behaviors studied in relation to saffron. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. This page is provided for educational purposes and does not include product recommendations or affiliate links.
Summary of Evidence
Across randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, saffron supplementation has been studied for its potential associations with emotional well-being, positive mood, stress resilience, sleep quality, cognitive function, menstrual comfort, and appetite-related behaviors.
While results vary across study populations and trial designs, multiple randomized studies and pooled analyses have reported improvements in standardized symptom-rating scales under study conditions. The studies listed below represent several frequently cited papers within the saffron literature. Many studies involve small sample sizes, short durations, specific populations, and subjective symptom-rating scales rather than long-term clinical outcomes.
Key Areas of Research
Mood and Emotional Well-Being
Evidence strength: Moderate to Strong.
Randomized trials and meta-analyses have examined the relationship between saffron supplementation and standardized mood-rating scales. Most studies have evaluated saffron extracts at approximately 28–30 mg daily over 6–12 weeks.
1) Marx W, Lane M, Rocks T, et al. Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2019.
PMID: 31135916
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuz023
Population: Adults across randomized controlled trials evaluating mood and anxiety-related symptom scales.
Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Key findings:
• Saffron supplementation was associated with improvements in standardized depression-rating scales under study conditions.
• Anxiety-rating scales also improved in pooled analyses, although the evidence base was smaller and more heterogeneous.
• The authors noted limitations including modest sample sizes, short study durations, and variability in saffron preparations and study populations.
2) Hausenblas HA, Saha D, Dubyak PJ, et al. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. J Integr Med. 2013.
PMID: 24299602
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3736/jintegrmed2013056
Population: Adults enrolled in randomized clinical trials evaluating saffron for mood-related outcomes.
Design: Meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.
Key findings:
• Saffron supplementation was associated with improvements in standardized mood-rating scales compared with placebo under study conditions.
• Several included trials used active-comparator designs.
• Findings were limited by small sample sizes and relatively short intervention periods.
3) Noorbala AA, Akhondzadeh S, Tahmacebi-Pour N, et al. Hydro-alcoholic extract of Crocus sativus L. versus fluoxetine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized pilot trial. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005.
PMID: 15707766
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2004.11.004
Population: Adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms.
Design: Double-blind, randomized, pilot trial comparing saffron extract with fluoxetine over 6 weeks.
Key findings:
• Saffron extract was associated with greater improvement in standardized mood-rating scores compared with fluoxetine under study conditions.
• The trial was small and short in duration.
• Findings should not be interpreted as evidence that saffron treats depressive disorders or replaces established medical therapy.
4) Akhondzadeh S, Fallah-Pour H, Afkham K, et al. Comparison of Crocus sativus L. and imipramine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a pilot double-blind randomized trial. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2004.
PMID: 15341662
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-4-12
Population: Adults with mild to moderate depressive symptoms.
Design: Pilot double-blind randomized trial comparing saffron with an active comparator over 6 weeks.
Key findings:
• Both groups showed improvements in standardized mood-rating scores under study conditions.
• No clear superiority of saffron over fluoxetine should be stated.
• The study was small and short in duration.
• Results should not be interpreted as demonstrating clinical equivalence, superiority, or replacement of prescription therapies.
Stress Resilience and Anxiety-Related Outcomes
Evidence strength: Moderate.
Several randomized trials have evaluated saffron for stress-related emotional well-being and anxiety-related symptom scales. The evidence is encouraging but smaller and more heterogeneous than the literature evaluating mood.
5) Kell G, Rao A, Beccaria G, et al. affron®, a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.), improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Complement Ther Med. 2017.
PMID: 28735826
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001
Population: Healthy adults reporting low mood but not necessarily meeting criteria for a psychiatric disorder.
Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating affron® saffron extract over 4 weeks.
Key findings:
• affron® was associated with improvements in selected mood and stress-related measures under study conditions.
• The intervention period was short.
• Findings support further study of standardized saffron extracts for emotional well-being and stress resilience.
6) Lopresti AL, Drummond PD, Inarejos-García AM, et al. affron®, a standardised extract from saffron (Crocus sativus L.), for the treatment of youth anxiety and depressive symptoms: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Affect Disord. 2018.
PMID: 29510352
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.070
Population: Adolescents with anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating affron® saffron extract over 8 weeks.
Key findings:
• Parent-rated anxiety and depressive symptom scores improved more with saffron than placebo under study conditions.
• Self-rated outcomes were less consistently different between groups.
• Findings may not generalize to all age groups or clinical settings.
Sleep Support
Evidence strength: Low to Moderate.
Several placebo-controlled trials have investigated standardized saffron extracts, particularly affron®, for sleep quality in adults with self-reported poor sleep.
7) Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Metse AP, et al. Effects of saffron on sleep quality in healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020.
PMID: 32056539
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5664/jcsm.8376
Population: Healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep.
Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating saffron extract over 4 weeks.
Key findings:
• Saffron supplementation was associated with improvements in subjective sleep-quality measures under study conditions.
• Tolerability was generally favorable.
• Longer-term studies are needed to determine durability and generalizability of benefit.
8) Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Drummond PD. An investigation into an evening intake of a saffron extract (affron®) on sleep quality, cortisol, and melatonin concentrations in adults with poor sleep: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose study. Sleep Med. 2021.
PMID: 34438361
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sleep.2021.08.001
Population: Adults with poor sleep.
Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose clinical trial evaluating evening intake of affron® saffron extract.
Key findings:
• Saffron was associated with improvements in subjective sleep-quality measures under study conditions.
• The study explored potential relationships with cortisol and melatonin.
• Findings support additional study of saffron for sleep-quality support, particularly with standardized extracts.
Cognitive Function
Evidence strength: Low to Moderate.
Human studies have evaluated saffron in older adults and populations with age-related cognitive concerns. Because several trials involve diagnosed neurocognitive disorders, findings should be interpreted cautiously and should not be framed as disease-treatment claims on consumer-facing supplement pages.
9) Akhondzadeh S, Shafiee Sabet M, Harirchian MH, et al. Saffron in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease: a 16-week, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Pharm Ther. 2010.
PMID: 20831681
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2710.2009.01133.x
Population: Adults with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.
Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating saffron over 16 weeks.
Key findings:
• Saffron was associated with changes in selected cognitive assessment scores under study conditions.
• The study population had a diagnosed neurocognitive disease, limiting direct application to general cognitive wellness claims.
• Findings should not be interpreted as evidence that saffron prevents, treats, or slows neurodegenerative disease.
Menstrual Comfort
Evidence strength: Low to Moderate.
Saffron has been evaluated in randomized trials for symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle, including emotional and physical comfort.
10) Agha-Hosseini M, Kashani L, Aleyaseen A, et al. Crocus sativus L. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial. BJOG. 2008.
PMID: 18271889
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01652.x
Population: Women with premenstrual symptoms.
Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating saffron over two menstrual cycles.
Key findings:
• Saffron was associated with improvements in symptom-rating scales under study conditions.
• Both emotional and physical symptom domains were evaluated.
• The study was relatively small, and additional trials are needed to define consistency and generalizability.
Appetite and Weight Management
Evidence strength: Low.
Saffron extracts have been investigated for appetite-related behaviors, particularly snacking and satiety. Evidence for clinically meaningful weight change remains limited.
11) Gout B, Bourges C, Paineau-Dubreuil S. Satiereal, a Crocus sativus L extract, reduces snacking and increases satiety in a randomized placebo-controlled study of mildly overweight, healthy women. Nutr Res. 2010.
PMID: 20579522
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2010.04.008
Population: Mildly overweight, otherwise healthy women.
Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating Satiereal® saffron extract over 8 weeks.
Key findings:
• Satiereal® was associated with reduced snacking frequency and improved satiety measures under study conditions.
• Effects on body weight were modest.
• Findings support saffron’s potential role in appetite-related behavior research but do not establish clinically meaningful weight-loss effects.
Educational Notice
These summaries are provided for educational purposes to review published scientific literature and should not be interpreted as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Readers should consult qualified healthcare professionals for personal medical decisions.
FDA Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
FTC Affiliate Disclosure
Some pages on this website may contain affiliate links to products. If readers choose to purchase through those links, the site may receive a commission. Affiliate relationships do not influence the selection or discussion of scientific studies summarized on this reference page.