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What is saffron?

Saffron is one of the most coveted, expensive, and aromatic spices in the world. It is used in different cuisines, especially in Iranian tahchin and Spanish paella. However, this exotic spice is also used in soups, pasta, chicken dishes, and even desserts. Have you tried it? 

As you may have heard, saffron is a spice that is quite expensive. This is because it takes about 75,000 flowers to produce 453.59 grams of saffron, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica. Also, it is important to remember that it is harvested by hand, making it a very labor-intensive and costly process. 

You might be interested in: Everything you need to know about gastritis and colitis 

What is ulcerative colitis?

Ulcerative colitis is a condition that increasingly affects more people. It is considered an inflammatory bowel disease. In this sense, the MedlinePlus portal indicates that “the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed.” 

Currently, the causes of this condition are unknown, and it tends to affect more people between the ages of 15 and 30 and between 50 and 70. 

As for the symptoms, they include: 

• Cramps and abdominal pain 

• Anemia 

• A gurgling sound in the intestine 

• Fatigue 

• Blood or pus in the stool 

• Diarrhea 

• Fever 

• Feeling the urge to go to the bathroom 

• Weight loss 

• Loss of appetite 

• Sores 

• Joint pain 

• Growth problems in children 

Remember that if you present one or more symptoms, it is very important to visit a doctor for guidance and to indicate the ideal treatment to combat ulcerative colitis. 

See more: Colitis, what foods to avoid and what to substitute them with 

Does saffron help treat ulcerative colitis?

If you suffer from ulcerative colitis, this information is of interest to you! Experts from Howard University announced that saffron “could help reduce inflammation and improve clinical symptoms in people with ulcerative colitis.” 

For this clinical trial, a group of 30 people consumed low or high doses of saffron, while others received placebos. After 8 weeks, those who consumed the most saffron felt the best. 

Additionally, the study results suggest that consuming this spice decreases gamma-proteobacteria, a microorganism present in people with inflammatory bowel disease. 

It is worth mentioning that, although more studies are needed to corroborate this information, this is good news for those suffering from colitis, as there are increasingly more alternatives to treat this condition.