Reterdeen Staff
When it comes to the subject of spices, so many Nigerians are still ignorant. If you check an average Nigerian kitchen, the spices you will see there are; thyme, curry, nutmeg, and if you are lucky you may come across a jar of ginger. Spices play a significant role in how our food taste, smell, as well as our overall health. Today, we shall be discussing a unique kind of spice known as Saffron.
What is Saffron?
Saffron is an orange-yellow tiny, perennial, bulbous spice made from the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus (saffron flower), and it mainly used for coloring and flavoring in food. It is also the most costly spice in the world, because of the tedious process used in its preparation. Beside bringing delicious flavors to a wide range of dishes, saffron has many health benefits and can be grown anywhere in the world.
Saffron is a spice that should be in every home because of the following reasons;
1. It helps prevent cancer
A plethora of studies have proved that cancerous rates which were treated with saffron liquid extract showed progress in their condition. Also, a compound in saffron known as crocin had hindered the growth of colorectal cancer cells. In addition, it has shown the same result in the case of prostate and hepatic cancer. The saffron spice can also help in treating skin cancer. Saffron has an abundance of carotenoids, which immensely contribute to this amazing spice anticancer properties. The crocin in saffron can fight breast cancer as well as leukemia.
2. It aids arthritis treatment
In a study published by an Italian journal, the crocetin in saffron can improve cerebral oxygenation and thus quickening arthritis treatment. Also, saffron is an effective anti-inflammatory agent that can help in treating swelling and stiffness of the joints.
3. It improves your vision and clarity
According to a Spanish study, saffron is made of some natural compound that can help retinal degeneration and vision loss. Safranal, one of the major compound in the spice. have been proven to preserve capillary network and visual response. There are some pills made with the saffron spice that has proved to improve the vision in elders and treating retinitisc pigmentosa, a rare genetic disease that causes blindness among young people.
4. It cures insomnia
Research has shown that saffron is a sedative that is effective for insomnia as well as excellent for relieving stress. Drinking a glass of milk with a pinch of salt before going to bed will make you sleep well.
5. It aid memory retention
According to scientific research, the crocin found in saffron can help improve memory intention as well as redu8ce fever. It helps heal wounds Saffron can as well heal wounds, especially wounds caused as by burns. This spice can help improve re-epithelization in wounds.
6. It keeps the heart healthy
Saffron contains some antioxidant properties that can help maintain healthy blood vessels and arteries. Also, saffron is very rich in riboflavin, an essential vitamin for the heart. In addition, saffron can help lower blood pressure, thereby minimizing the chances of a heart attack.
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