How Does Saffron Help Support Healthy Vision?

Saffron helps support restore structure and function of retina for a healthy vision

You may have used saffron for cooking. It’s known as the world’s most expensive spice. With its distinctive golden threads and pungent aroma, saffron adds flavor to paella, bouillabaisse, rice and baked goods.

Did you know that saffron has been used for centuries in Persia and across Europe and the Middle East to promote health?

Did you know that saffron is very rich in the orange-yellow pigments (carotenoids) that are also in fruits and vegetables, which protect the cells of your eyes?

New studies show that saffron spice has unique benefits for eye health, especially for age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Studies demonstrated that saffron can increase blood flow to the retina, protect it from photo-oxidative damage, and help restore and improve visual performance.

According to recent research:

“…saffron activates mechanisms of self-defense and self-repair in the retina of the eye protecting it against oxidative damage. Saffron restores some of the lost vision, and then stabilizes retina against further degeneration, which is the classic cause of development and progression of AMD.”

“…the golden culinary herb [saffron] can both protect and reverse the course of sight degeneration. A clinical trial in Italy treating AMD patients with dietary saffron found promising signs of an improvement in eyesight. …..The herb saffron may hold one of the keys to preventing the loss of sight in old age – and may even help to improve vision…..”

” Although the ways of action are still under investigation it seems reasonable to conclude that saffron components are able to reduce photoreceptor death and preserve visual function“.

Resource: Source: Vis Neurosci. 2014 Sep;31(4-5):355-61.