Saffron · Saffron extract
Surprising anti-depressant efficacy at 30 mg/day.
Short answer
Saffron (Saffron extract) is a botanical / mood with evidence grade B, meaning it is supported by human RCTs. We track 2 produkter containing Saffron. Typical doses range from 28 to 30.0 mg per portion. The top-ranked product scores 7.3 out of 10 on our composite scale (dose, evidence, price, testing, transparency). Prices range up to $99.00 per månad.
Top Saffron produkter
| Product | Varumärke | Dose | Pris/mo | 3rd-party tested | Poäng |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berbelean | Enhanced Berberin (Berberin Phytosome + Black Ginger, Saffron, CurCousin, Piperine) | 30.0 mg | $49.99 | Yes | 7.3 | |
| AGZ: Nightly Sleep Support | 28 mg | $99.00 | Yes | 6.5 |
Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard. Se how we score.
What it is
The world's most expensive spice, from Crocus sativus. Extract at 30 mg/day matches SSRIs for mild-moderate depression in several trials.
Why people take it
Multiple RCTs (Hausenblas 2013, Lopresti 2014) show significant depression score reduction.
Our verdict
Real option for mild mood support. Look for affron® or Satiereal® standardised extract.
Structure & class
Crocus sativus stigma extract; crocin/safranal standardised.
Mechanism & clinical data
Meta-analyses show effect size comparable to SSRIs in mild-moderate depression.
Pharmacokinetics
Multi-hour biological effect.
Dose & forms
What to watch out for
Not for pregnancy. Interacts with anticoagulants at high doses.
Where this dose comes from
The trial dose above is our editorial pick from the published human trials for this ingredient. We choose the dose that the best-available studies used on the endpoint most relevant to longevity. The range shows the lowest and highest doses tested in published trials. The landmark studies below are the papers we read to set it. You can click through and check our work.
When new trials publish, our automated sweeps flag them. If a new study materially changes the dose, we update it through editorial review and record the old dose, new dose, and the triggering study in every affected product's recommendation history. The dose is never changed automatically.
Regelverk status
Timeline
Regelverk events, evidence grade changes, and key research milestones for Saffron, most recent first. Every entry links to its primär source.
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EU Court sharpens the bar for botanical health claimsA Court of Justice of the European Union ruling in april 2025 further tightened the requirements for how botanical ingredients (herbs, plant extracts) can be marketed with health claims in the EU, effectively removing much of the flexibility of the on-hold list.
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EU report identifies 117 supplement substances as potential health risksThe HoA Working Group on Food Supplements (26 European countries) published its first report evaluating 117 substances used in food supplements. Of these, 65 were assessed as likely novel foods, 6 were already regulated, 34 had insufficient data, and 12 were prioritized for Article 8 restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006. The 12 priority substances include ashwagandha, curcumin, melatonin, piperine, St. John's wort, coumarin, p-synephrine, maca, holy basil, Melaleuca, black cohosh, and L-tryptophan. The report drew on 1,500 RASFF alerts reviewed between 2017 and mid-2022.
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EU Health Claims Regulation adoptedRegulation (EC) No 1924/2006 laid down harmonised rules for nutrition and health claims made on foods, including supplements. Only claims listed in the EU Register of authorised claims can be used. Rejected botanical claims are held in a separate on-hold list.
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EU introduces the Novel Food RegulationRegulation (EC) No 258/97 required any food or food ingredient without a history of consumption in the EU before 15 maj 1997 to be authorised before being placed on the market. This is the framework that captures NMN, spermidine as a supplement ingredient, urolithin A, and many other longevity actives.
Landmark studies
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Hausenblas et al. 2013
Meta-analysis: saffron significantly reduces depressive symptoms.
Läs studie →
Found in these produkter (2)
Alla produkter in our catalog that contain Saffron, ranked by our overall score. Ranking is editorial, never paid.
Buying guides and comparisons
Related ingredients
Se alla in Botanical / Mood →Molekyler in the same class, plus the actives most often formulated alongside Saffron in our catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
What is Saffron?
The world's most expensive spice, from Crocus sativus. Extract at 30 mg/day matches SSRIs for mild-moderate depression in several trials.
What dose of Saffron should I take?
The trial dose in published human studies is 30 mg per dag, with a range of 28 to 88 mg per dag. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement.
Is Saffron safe?
Not for pregnancy. Interacts with anticoagulants at high doses.
What is the best Saffron supplement?
We track 2 produkter containing Saffron. The top-ranked product scores 7.3 out of 10 on our composite scale, which evaluates dose, evidence, price, third-party testing, and transparency. See the comparison table above. Scores are editorial judgments, not a scientific standard.
What is the evidence grade for Saffron?
Saffron has evidence grade B, meaning it is supported by human RCTs. Grade A means replicated human RCTs with hard endpoints. Grade B means human RCTs with biomarker outcomes. Grade C means mixed or small human trials. See our evidence grading methodology.
Data verification
Bevisning grades are reviewed when new human RCTs are published. Product counts update automatically as new produkter are added. Dose ranges reflect published trial data, not brand recommendations. Read how we verify.