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Saffron as an Antidepressant (2018)

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

41–50 of 110 posts

Re: Saffron as an Antidepressant (2018)

#41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> They also mentioned that it _might_ work by affecting serotonin in the brain, but no one actually knows yet; I don't even think we know with regards to any substance, i.e even why SSRI work - I think we have some good hypothesis, but nothing conclusive. I've even seen an ad on CNN for tardive dyskinesia that says 'the is thought to do something to dopamine' - Doesn't exactly inspire confidence but having suffered…

As you mention, most SSRI ads specifically note that it is thought to work by inhibiting serotonin reuptake...maybe. There isn't even strong proof that serotonin plays the part popularly believed. But SSRIs work for many people, and do seem to have an effect, so the theoretical is good enough for now.

Because SSRIs take weeks to work, it is theorized that they actual modify DNA expression and other things that are slow to action.

Serotonin itself has little to do with depression at the synaptic level

Re: Saffron as an Antidepressant (2018)

#42
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Saucer is optional. I drink directly from the cup. Make sure the cup is made of clear glass though to see the color of the tea.

Why does where you drink from it matter, let alone its transparency?

Actually color can affect the perceived taste. Red/vibrant colors make the drink taste more sweet.

Re: Saffron as an Antidepressant (2018)

#44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not unique to Persian cooking, but there is wisdom in most cultural foods. I have been cooking a lot during the pandemic and every month I discover a new fermented food that has "recently" been found to be a superfood - kombucha, kefir, kimchi, soy sauce, mole sauce, sourdough etc. That is not to talk about other ingredients like turmeric, chiles, lentils and other stuff that add nutritional value. EDIT: I wante…

I still want to try Japanese Natto but can't find it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natt%C5%8D Supposed to taste quite bad for Westerners.

Go Go Curry in NYC has it

Re: Saffron as an Antidepressant (2018)

#46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not unique to Persian cooking, but there is wisdom in most cultural foods. I have been cooking a lot during the pandemic and every month I discover a new fermented food that has "recently" been found to be a superfood - kombucha, kefir, kimchi, soy sauce, mole sauce, sourdough etc. That is not to talk about other ingredients like turmeric, chiles, lentils and other stuff that add nutritional value. EDIT: I wante…

I agree with you, but a quick note for potential readers: most of the soy sauce from your grocery store has extreme amounts of salt in it, beware.

Most American grocery store soy sauce is also not authentic soy sauce. Soy sauce has to be aged from soy, salt, wheat, and a fermentation starter. American grocery store soy sauce is typically salt water with flavor additives.

Ingredients for a cheap American soy sauce: soybean, corn, water, sugar, sodium benzoate, salt, caramel color, monosodium glutamate, citric acid, potassium sorbate.

Re: Saffron as an Antidepressant (2018)

#47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's not unique to Persian cooking, but there is wisdom in most cultural foods. I have been cooking a lot during the pandemic and every month I discover a new fermented food that has "recently" been found to be a superfood - kombucha, kefir, kimchi, soy sauce, mole sauce, sourdough etc. That is not to talk about other ingredients like turmeric, chiles, lentils and other stuff that add nutritional value. EDIT: I wante…

I agree with you, but a quick note for potential readers: most of the soy sauce from your grocery store has extreme amounts of salt in it, beware.

Yes, you will want to look for "Shoyu" in a regular grocery store that will probably be made of fermented soy beans. You could also make the trip out to an Asian grocery store - a simple yet effective way to start an adventure :)

Re: Saffron as an Antidepressant (2018)

#48
Fun fact: (maybe!)

Saffron is, per unit of weight, the most expensive thing you can buy in many supermarkets.

(That's my conjecture after noticing that the saffron in German supermarkets is about 10,000 to 30,000 EUR/kg, or 68,000 for the bio certified, hand picked, from a women-run enterprise:

https://shop.rewe.de/p/herbaria-safran-faeden/VJ7R7E3DA )

Any other contenders?

Re: Saffron as an Antidepressant (2018)

#49

I feel like people in the west need to become more familiar with Persian cooking. Every year I learn that one more ingredient that we commonly use in Persian cooking is good for your health. So based on this definitive evidence I'm gonna conclude everything we eat is good for you. To get you ahead here are some other things to try: 1. Sabzi Khordan: Elevate your breakfast with Sabzi Khordan, a mixed of herbs that are…

It can be hard to find the right cheese for sabzi khordan. Also some people find drinking tea out of the saucer weird.

> Also some people find drinking tea out of the saucer weird.

I love drinking out of the saucer. It taste different than drinking from a cup. It taste different drinking from a stainless steel cup vs glass cup too.

My favorite saucer is Corelle butterfly gold.

Re: Saffron as an Antidepressant (2018)

#50
post #3

Reads like an undergrad class project and not a real study

That's maybe a bit unfair, but yes, they could have run it by an editor proficient in English:

> In summary further research required to get a good quality data regarding saffron mechanism of action, effectiveness, and safety. [...] While results of increased mental wellness coupled with good short-term basic safety profile recommend saffron may be an exceedingly efficient alternative approach for the treating depression. It is at present unidentified that the positive results of saffron obtained during preliminary trials will proceeds in long-term health benefits until well-controlled and longer-term research are achieved.

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