Acceptance of Iranian saffron standards by European countries
Fasletejarat: Europeans have accepted that the supplied saffron on Iran’s stock exchange has contained a high standard; also stock prices are the basis rate which these countries have accepted. A Saffron market expert said that in line with Iranian saffron price realization and becoming a global reference rate, we consider to establish a warehouse approved by the stock exchange in Belgium, in order to transfer the accepted saffron in the stock exchange with a European trademark into the warehouse; as well as we intend to trade the valuable goods in euros and deliver them in Europe, Reports Fasletejarat News.
He also added, we are trying to add the warehouse into the list of warehouses accepted in the stock exchanges by the end of this year to manage export transactions of saffron accepted in the stock exchange directly in European destinations. The market expert announced that today, saffron prices in commodity exchanges, are accepted by Europeans. He also added, due to the appropriate standards which have been set by the stock exchange for Iran Saffron, now the Europeans countries have accepted that Iran saffron has been supplied in Iran Stock Exchange contains high standard and quality. Europeans have accepted prices set by the Stock Exchange as the basis rate of Saffron.
He emphasized that due to the supply of saffron in the stock exchanges over the past months, Spain is currently based its prices and transactions on the determined prices of saffron in stock exchange. So that we are going to establish a standard warehouse under a stock exchange to be able to deliver the standard product to European customer in Europe.
Farmers’ participation in the stock trading
The saffron market expert said that during recent years, a large number of farmers manage trends of saffron supply and demand on the stock exchange and have been participated in trading, he also emphasized that the stock exchange organization through training and encouraging farmers to standardize Iran saffro nwas able to increase the quality of saffron and become a standard basis for European markets. So that today, European markets gain its standard indicators from Iran Mercantile Exchange.
Pharmaceutical values of Persian Saffron
Studies have shown that 30mg daily intake of saffron can be effective like drugs fluoxetine, imipramine and citalopram in treatment of depression. In addition, people using saffron faced less side effects compared to other treatments.
Evidences have proved both the petals and stigma of Persian saffron are effective in improving mild to moderate depression. However, more human research in this area is required to be conducted before recommending anyone to use saffron as a treatment for depression.
Iranian Saffron is a great anti-depressant, without side effects
Anticancer properties
Iranian Saffron is a rich source of antioxidants that helps to neutralize harmful free radicals. Free radical damage is associated with chronic diseases such as cancer.
Some studies have shown that contents of saffron can help to destroy colon cancer cells or suppress their growth, without harm to normal and healthy cells. This mechanism has also been observed in cancer cells of the skin, bone marrow, prostate, lung, breast, and cervix.
On the other hand, some studies have indicated that Crocin, the main antioxidant of saffron, may make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy drugs.
While these results are promising, the anti-cancer properties of saffron in humans have not been widely studied and further research is required.
Reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome is a term that defines physical, emotional and psychological symptoms that occur before a woman’s period has begun.
Studies have shown that saffron may help improve the symptoms of these conditions.
In a study on women between 20 to 45 years, 30 mg daily intake of saffron in treatment of premenstrual syndrome symptoms, such as irritability, headaches, food cravings and pain was proved more effective than placebo.
Another study showed that only smelling saffron for 20 minutes can reduce symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, such as anxiety and lower levels of cortisol stress hormone.
Health benefits of saffron
Improve sexual performance
Products for increase sexual ability include foods or supplements which can strengthen sexual desire.
Studies show that Iran saffron may have sexual-enhancing properties, especially for those who use anti-depressant drugs.
In a clinical trial on men who suffered from erectile dysfunction associated with taking antidepressants, a significant improvement in erectile function was seen on patients with daily use 30 mg saffron for four weeks compared to patient treated with placebo.
Results of an analysis including six studies showed that saffron consumption significantly improved erectile function, sexual desire, and overall satisfaction.
Data of another study indicated that 30 mg daily intake of saffron for four weeks in women with low sexual desire due to use of antidepressant drugs has led to increase sexual desire and can reduce pain related to sexual intercourse compared with those taking placebo.
Reduce appetite and help lose weight
Eating snack is a common habit that can put you at risk of unwanted weight gain. According to a research on Iranian saffron, saffron may help prevent these conditions by reducing appetite.
In an eight-week study, women who had used saffron felt more satiety, used less snacks, and lost more weight than women who received placebo.
Another research shows that saffron supplements can curb appetite and food cravings significantly and reduce body mass index (IBM), waist circumference and total fat mass in the participants compared to the control group.
Other health benefits of Iran saffron
Iranian saffron has also other health benefits, which have not been studied yet.
Saffron may help to reduce risks of vascular diseases. Results of laboratory studies on animals’ subjects show that anti-oxidants properties can reduce blood cholesterol and prevent thrombosis in blood vessels.
Saffron may lower blood sugar levels. Researches on animal subjects such as mice with diabetes, and other laboratory studies have shown that saffron may decrease blood sugar levels and increase insulin sensitivity.
There is evidence that Iran’s Saffron can improve visual acuity in adults with macular degeneration which typically occurs in older people. It seems that Saffron can improve vision in people with the conditions and protect them against free radicals damages which are produced in age-related macular degeneration.
Saffron may also strengthen memory in adults with Alzheimer’s disease. Some researches show that antioxidant properties of Persian saffron may improve cognitive function in adults with Alzheimer’s disease.
Risks, precautions and dosage
Saffron is generally a safe product for consumption with little or no side effects. Using standard amounts of saffron in cooking, does not cause side effects in humans.
Iran’s saffron is a valuable dietary supplement, 1.5 grams saffron per day is safe and will not cause any side effect. However, only 30 mg of saffron a day would be sufficient to take advantage of its health benefits.
On the other hand, receiving 5 g or more saffron can have toxic effects. It is suggested that pregnant women should avoid using high dose of saffron, it may lead to abortion.
As with any other supplement, consult your physician before using supplements of saffron.