Can Saffron Stop Macular Degeneration?
When you start researching saffron online, it doesn’t take long to find articles about saffron and its possible effects on all aspects of health. One fascinating area worth reading about concerns our vision and in particular, eye health. One area of research that stands out is that it may be possible saffron could help those suffering from age-related macular degeneration.
What is macular degeneration?
Macular degeneration is a common condition affecting the eyes – particularly among older people – involving the degeneration of the macula. This is the part of the retina that helps you see things in your direct line of vision. So, if you look straight ahead, the portion of your vision immediately in front of you will begin to fail, but you can see around the edges. Over time, the vision becomes worse, and eventually people may be legally viewed as blind.
Can you treat macular degeneration?
It depends on which version of the condition you have. Dry macular degeneration does not currently have any available treatment. Wet macular degeneration can be helped with regular eye injections. These can slow the progression of the condition, although they cannot stop or reverse it.
What role does saffron play in combatting the loss of vision?
Many people are unaware that saffron could potentially help those with this eye condition. Studies are few and far between, yet one study has suggested that saffron could have a positive effect on those suffering with macular degeneration.
Sixty patients took part in the study, all of whom had either the wet or dry version of macular degeneration. Half were given 30mg of saffron per day and the other half were given a placebo. No participants knew whether they were receiving the placebo or the saffron.
The study went into some depth on results noted but concluded that those who had the daily saffron supplement did notice an improvement in vision. This occurred regardless of the type of macular degeneration they had.
Furthermore, the researchers stated that participants with more advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) experienced better results than those with AMD that was not as advanced at that stage.
The improvements in those taking saffron were ‘statistically significant’
The changes seen were ‘statistically significant,’ suggesting that the saffron supplement did have this effect. However, the fact that only 60 people participated in the study (with just 30 of them taking the saffron each day) means that we cannot be certain of its effect. The authors of the study said that further research was necessary for us to be able to know for sure the effect that saffron has on this condition.
The changes seen in those patients taking saffron were statistically significant
Is it worth taking daily saffron for macular degeneration?
Many people do take saffron supplements regularly, while many others introduce genuine saffron threads into their diets over time, eventually taking it each day. Indeed, this may well be the better option. Saffron is expensive because of its labour-intensive harvesting process. If you buy genuine saffron threads from Sara Saffron, you can check them yourself to see if they appear genuine. If you buy a supplement, the saffron will be present in powder form instead. There is no way to tell if you are receiving the dosage stated… or if any saffron is there at all.
We’ve got plenty of saffron recipes for you to try, so that might be the best way to introduce some daily saffron into your diet for a potential health boost for your eyes.
Where can you buy saffron?
Sara Saffron offer a full range of authentic Persian saffron for incredible freshness, deep colour, pungent aroma and superb flavour. In our expert opinion this is the finest saffron you can buy.
Our saffron comes direct from the best farms in the Khorasan province of Iran and includes Pushal, Negin, Super Negin and Organic saffron.
