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Saffron For Weight Loss - Understanding What It's All About

By Dinah Ferrie


Saffron to most people is a culinary ingredient used as a spice and coloring agent, but in the field of medicine, this product from the plant Crocus sativus can deliver a wide range of health benefits. Despite this, it's most popular application today is in helping people lose weight. After the famed Dr. Oz mentioned it in his show, saffron for weight loss has been gathering a lot of buzz. So what is it all about?

Saffron for weight loss is said to be very effective primarily because it is able to curb one's appetite and tone down cravings. One of the causes of weight gain is compulsive eating, usually as a reaction to emotional factors such as boredom, anxiety, and anger. People don't really think about the quantity and quality of what they eat when under emotional stress and this ultimately leads to weight gain.

With the help of a clinical study, experts were able to determine the secret to saffron's effectiveness in promoting weight loss. This was because this extract causes the brain to produce more serotonin - a hormone that is responsible for controlling physiological and psychological functions such as mood and behavior. More serotonin translates to better control over appetite and cravings.

Dr. Oz himself took initiative in confirming the efficacy of saffron for weight loss and thus he conducted an experiment involving two women with emotional eating habits. Over the weekend, they were given saffron supplements without restricting their calorie intake. As a result, both women experienced less desire to snack even under emotional stress. Both also lost weight of a total of 8 pounds.

In a study published in Nutrition Research during 2010, a group of 60 mildly overweight women were categorized into two groups. The first group was given saffron supplement while the second group was given a placebo. The group that took saffron for weight loss was able to reduce their snacking better as compared to those that took the placebo.

It is important to be aware that many of the clinical studies involving saffron for weight loss made use of Satiereal, a proprietary blend of saffron that has been mentioned by Dr. Oz in his show. According to studies, Satiereal saffron supplements can also help a person to shy away from sugary foods, which can be a big factor in additional weight gain.

Besides being used as a weight-loss supplement, taking saffron extract may also be able to alleviate a myriad of health issues including asthma, coughing, intestinal gas, heartburn, dry skin, and insomnia. It may also help women to get relief from menstrual cramps and premenstrual syndrome. There are also experts who claim that it can act as an aphrodisiac.

Despite the claims of using saffron for weight loss, it is important to remember that it must not be treated as a "quick fix" for your weight problems. Just as Dr. Oz always says, you simply cannot replace a healthy diet and proper exercise. Supplements are just that - supplements, and they are best combined with diet and exercise to get the best results possible.




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