An interesting headline that caught my eye in the Life Extension Daily News: Why Highly-prized Saffron Could Save Your Sight. Here is an excerpt from the article:
Saffron Flower
It is one of the world’s most valuable spices. Patiently collected flower by flower, the deep red stamens of the saffron crocus can fetch up to $750 per pound, writes Anastasia Stephens. But now there is more reason than ever to covet it. A study at Sydney University and the University of L’Aquila in Italy has found that when eaten, saffron may protect eyes from UV damage and slow the progress of diseases such as macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.
In macular degeneration, the cells in the retina at the back of the eye, which are responsible for clear vision, begin to die. But when patients with macular degeneration taking part in the study began eating a diet containing saffron, these cells began to recover. Professor Silvia Bisti, who led the research, says: ‘Saffron appears to affect genes that regulate the fatty-acid content of the cell membrane, and this makes the vision cells tougher and more resilient.’ The 25 participants in the study took saffron supplements or a placebo every day for three months. All those who took the saffron pill experienced improved vision, but the improvements disappeared when they stopped taking it.
Healthy Eye Foods!
Monique Simmonds, who investigates medicinal properties of plants at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, explains: ‘The unique compounds found naturally in saffron that we believe may have medicinal value include crocin and safranal. They belong to a family called carotenoids, which includes betacarotene. Carotenoids give plants such as carrots or red peppers their color.
‘Studies show that these compounds play key roles in preserving eyesight, protecting against cancer and preventing Alzheimer’s.’ Added to pilau rice, risotto and dishes such as paella, saffron threads give a slightly bitter taste as well as a yellow color. To replicate the Italian study, 20mg of neat saffron – about 16 threads – would need to be eaten daily.
However, 1g of saffron is expensive – around $10. It is not yet available in supplement form and the quality of culinary saffron can vary hugely.
To read more you can link to the original article in the Daily News
For more information on specific nutritional products for healthy eyes you can go to Friday Pearls From the Desk of Ellen Troyer, MT MA – Biosyntrx Chief Research Officer. We have posted several of Ellen’s Friday Pearls. Vitamin C and Eye Health is a very informative post for example.
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Very intereating article, I am suprised that saffron is not available in supplement form though???