Boost Your Mood with Saffron and Exercise

Did you know that a common kitchen spice might help boost your happiness? Recent research points towards saffron, a vibrant spice, as a mood enhancer when paired with regular exercise.

In a study published in 2021, researchers split a group of young men who didn’t usually exercise into two groups. One group did resistance training (a type of strength-building exercise) and took a saffron supplement. The other group did the same exercises but took a placebo (a pill with no active ingredients).

After six weeks, the researchers measured various substances in the participants’ bodies that are linked to happiness and depression. They found that the men who took saffron had higher levels of certain chemicals that make us feel good. These include anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), dopamine, and β-endorphin. These changes weren’t seen in the group who took the placebo.

What’s more, the saffron group reported feeling happier than the placebo group. Also, they improved their muscle endurance more than the placebo group.

So, what does this all mean? This study suggests that adding saffron supplements to your exercise routine could make you happier and improve your exercise performance.

Intrigued? Want to learn more about the study? Click here.