Saffron Tea Improves Happiness Scores in Postmenopausal Women

by | Aug 1, 2023 | 2023, Botanicals, Brain Health, Menopause, Women's Health

Written by Taylor Woosley, Staff Writer. Results of the randomized controlled trial show that consumption of a 30 mg teabag of saffron consumed once daily for 6 weeks significantly improved postmenopausal women’s mean happiness scores compared to the control (p <0.001). 

drinking teaIt is estimated that by 2030, the world population of menopausal and postmenopausal women will be 1.2 billion1. The menopausal transition is characterized by menstrual irregularities, vasomotor symptoms, and sleep disturbances2. Changes in sex hormones have been linked with increased vulnerability to mood disorders such as anxiety or depression3.

Among natural products, saffron, produced from the dried stigma of Crocus sativus L., appears to be a promising candidate to alleviate mood symptoms4. It has been shown to relieve symptoms such as depression due to its anxiolytic effects5. There is an increasing body of evidence showcasing saffrons association with reductions in hot flashes and an alleviation of psychological symptoms in menopausal women6.

Delam et al. conducted a randomized controlled trial to analyze the effect of saffron tea on postmenopausal women’s happiness. Subject inclusion consisted of being a postmenopausal woman with no history of chronic and cognitive diseases. 72 women were enrolled in the study and were randomly divided into either the saffron tea intervention group (n=36) or the control group (n=36). Subjects in the intervention group consumed one cup of tea containing a 30 mg teabag of saffron mixed with white rock candy for 6 weeks. Participants in the control group consumed one cup of lukewarm water mixed with white rock candy for the study duration.

All subjects completed a demographic questionnaire that included information regarding age, marital status, level of education, and menopausal age. Participants also completed The Oxford Happiness Questionnaire to assess their levels of happiness. An independent sample t-test was utilized to compare mean happiness scores in the saffron and control groups. A paired sample t-test was used to compare mean happiness scores before and after the intervention in both groups.

The mean age of subjects in the intervention group was 53.75 ± 3.87 years and 53.13 ± 3.91 years in the control group. No significant difference was noted between groups in any of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics (p > 0.05). The paired sample t-test results showed a significant increase in the mean happiness score in the intervention group (p < 0.001) from 42.93 ± 8.54 to 61.58 ± 8.24. The control group experienced no significant difference in mean happiness scores from baseline to end of intervention (p = 0.861). When applying the treatment program in the saffron tea group, a significant difference between the two groups was noted regarding mean happiness scores (p < 0.001).

Significant findings of the study show that saffron tea positively influenced happiness scores in postmenopausal women. Further research should continue to explore the use of saffron as an effective treatment for mood-based menopausal symptoms. Study limitations include the potential indirect effect of increased COVID-19 numbers during the time of the study and future studies should include larger sample groups and longer study durations to better comprehend the positive effects of saffron consumption.

Source: Delam, Hamed, Zahra Keshtkaran, Nasrin Shokrpour, Ahmadreza Eidi, and Mohammad-Rafi Bazrafshan. “The effect of Crocus sativus L.(saffron) herbal tea on happiness in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.” BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 23, no. 1 (2023): 176.

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Posted August 1, 2023.

Taylor Woosley studied biology at Purdue University before becoming a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a major in Writing. She currently resides in Glen Ellyn, IL.

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