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Jackson, Philippa A., Forster, Joanne, Khan, Julie, Pouchieu, Camille, Dubreuil, Séverine, Gaudout, David, Moras, Benjamin, Pourtau, Line, Joffre, Florent, Vaysse, Carole, Bertrand, Karène, Abrous, Hélène, Vauzour, David 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5952-8756, Brossaud, Julie, Corcuff, Jean Benoit, Capuron, Lucile and Kennedy, David O.
(2021)
Effects of saffron extract supplementation on mood, well-being, and response to a psychosocial stressor in healthy adults: A randomized, double-blind, parallel group, clinical trial.
Frontiers in Nutrition, 7.
ISSN 2296-861X
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Abstract
Anxiety, stress, and low mood are closely related and may contribute to depressive symptoms. Among non-pharmacological solutions to improve subclinical mood symptoms and resilience to stress, natural products such as saffron—identified as promising following preliminary beneficial effects in major depressive disorder—represent a relevant strategy. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of 8 weeks' supplementation with 30 mg standardized saffron extract on emotional well-being in healthy adults with subclinical feelings of low mood and anxiety and/or stress and evaluate the acute effect of saffron in response to a lab-based psychosocial stressor. The study adopted a double-blind, randomized, parallel groups design in which 56 healthy male and female individuals (18–54 years) received either a saffron extract or a placebo for 8 weeks. Chronic effects of saffron on subjective anxiety, stress, and depressive feelings were assessed using a questionnaire battery [including Profile of Mood State-2, (POMS)] and acute effects in response to a lab-based psychosocial stressor were measured through psychological and physiological parameters. Urinary crocetin levels were quantified. Participants who received the saffron extract reported reduced depression scores and improved social relationships at the end of the study. Urinary crocetin levels increased significantly with saffron supplementation and were correlated with change in depression scores. The typical stress-induced decrease in heart rate variability (HRV) during exposure to the stressor was attenuated following acute saffron intake. Saffron extract appears to improve subclinical depressive symptoms in healthy individuals and may contribute to increased resilience against the development of stress-related psychiatric disorders. Clinical trials number: NCT03639831.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | anxiety,crocetin,depression,heart rate variability,saffron,food science,endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism,nutrition and dietetics,sdg 3 - good health and well-being ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1100/1106 |
| Faculty \ School: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School |
| UEA Research Groups: | Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Nutrition and Preventive Medicine Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Norwich Institute for Healthy Aging Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Lifespan Health |
| Related URLs: | |
| Depositing User: | LivePure Connector |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Feb 2021 01:02 |
| Last Modified: | 19 Oct 2023 02:53 |
| URI: | https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/79128 |
| DOI: | 10.3389/fnut.2020.606124 |
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