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Saf7.5
Saffron Research
Likely helps
187 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Saffron appears to help in 5 of 6 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2004–2026 with a typical study size of 66 participants.
Based on 187 studies · 36 meta-analyses · 97 RCTs · 29,415 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
5helped1unclear· 181 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Depression & moodSignificant improvement in depressive symptoms · 4-8 weeks
Cognitive functionNeuroprotective crocin supports learning and memory · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational11 studies
Inflammation
Mostly mechanism / observational11 studies
Sleep & insomniaModest sleep improvement · 4 weeks · Crocin and safranal promote relaxation and sleep onset · 2-4 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
Cholesterol & lipids
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
Safety profile
Mostly mechanism / observational9 studies
Heart & blood pressure
Mostly mechanism / observational8 studies
Women's healthMay help reduce menstrual discomfort and PMS symptoms · 1-3 cycles
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Vision & eye healthCrocin protects retinal cells and improves visual function · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Men's vitality
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Weight management
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Focus & attentionImproves attention and processing speed in clinical trials · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
By the numbers
Pulled from 42 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
67%
across studies
People studied
29k
typical study: 66 people
Strongest designs
133
36 pooled, 97 randomised
Showed benefit
83%
5/6 studies
How long studies ran
1–4 weeks
1
1–3 months
2
Populations Studied
General population2
Various patient populations2
ADHD patients1
Patients with depression and anxiety1
Active research area
103 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2026
200420152026
1Meta-Analysisn=17,437 · very large study2025
In plain English: This extensive systematic review and NMA of nutraceuticals for treating depressive disorders indicated a number of nutraceuticals that could offer benefits, either as adjuncts or monotherapies.
Cheng YC et al. · Psychological medicine (2025)
Adjunctive nutraceuticals consistently showed better efficacy than antidepressants (ADT) alone in outcomes including SMD, remission, and response.
This extensive systematic review and NMA of nutraceuticals for treating depressive disorders indicated a number of nutraceuticals that could offer benefits, either as adjuncts or monotherapies.
In plain English: Dietary polyphenols may improve DAS28, reduce C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and improve oxidative stress, etc.
Long Z et al. · Frontiers in immunology (2023)
Dietary polyphenols may improve DAS28, reduce C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and improve oxidative stress, etc.
However, more RCTs are needed to verify or modify the efficacy and safety of dietary polyphenols.
3ADHD symptomsSystematic Reviewn=118 · medium study2024
In plain English: The results manifested an efficient role of saffron as either an adjuvant therapy to MPH or a single therapy against ADHD, without significant safety issues.
Seyedi-Sahebari S et al. · Journal of attention disorders (2024)
In plain English: Only ginger and black cumin reported a significant improvement in glycated hemoglobin, and only cinnamon and ginger showed a significant decrease in insulin.
Garza MC et al. · Nutrients (2024)
Our results showed that cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, black cumin, and saffron significantly improved the fasting glucose levels in T2DM subjects.
The most significant decreases in fasting glucose were achieved after supplementation with black cumin, followed by cinnamon and ginger, which achieved a decrease of between 27 and 17 mg/dL.
Only ginger and black cumin reported a significant improvement in glycated hemoglobin, and only cinnamon and ginger showed a significant decrease in insulin.