The Role of Saffron in Menopause: An Analysis of Its Effect on Postmenopausal Women’s Happiness
Menopause is a natural process in a woman’s life, characterized by the end of fertility and menstruation. It is a natural physiological process in older women, where the number of primary follicles in the ovaries rapidly decreases, ovulation ceases, and there is a decline in estrogen production, leading to the absence of menstruation for at least 12 months.
The average age of natural menopause in women from developed countries is between 50 and 52 years [5, 6], while in less developed countries, it occurs 3-4 years earlier. Due to the psychosocial changes during this stage of life, it has been demonstrated that reproductive hormones, particularly estrogen, can have an impact on mood. Menopause has been associated with various negative psychological changes, such as depression and anxiety.
On the other hand, happiness is a crucial concept for physical and mental well-being, defined as a complete, enduring, and meaningful satisfaction with life. Happiness plays a significant role in human life, as individuals who are happy tend to be more productive, have higher levels of hope, achieve better academic results, and enjoy a better quality of life.
Therefore, improving the mental health status of menopausal women is one of the important priorities and challenges in the healthcare system. Among the various therapies used to enhance individuals’ mental well-being, non-pharmacological methods hold particular value in new therapeutic approaches.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L., Iridaceae) on the happiness of postmenopausal women.
In this randomized clinical trial conducted in 2021, a total of 72 postmenopausal women were recruited and divided into intervention and control groups. Random block randomization was used for group allocation, and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire was utilized to measure the scores.
The intervention involved the use of 30 mg of dried saffron stigma.
Based on previous research, the intervention duration was 6 weeks. Although the total intervention duration was considered 6 weeks, the results of saffron usage were determined at the end of the second and fourth weeks. Participants in this group were called in daily (up to 6 weeks), and the saffron consumption process was evaluated.
To compare the trend of changes and after eliminating the effect of other variables, the Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) was employed.
No significant differences were found between the intervention and control groups in any of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics (p > 0.05).
The results of paired t-tests showed that the mean happiness score in the intervention group significantly increased (p < 0.001) from 42.93 ± 8.54 to 61.58 ± 8.24, while in the control group, there was no significant difference between the mean happiness score at the beginning and end of the study (p = 0.861).
Furthermore, after the implementation of the treatment program in the intervention group, a significant difference in mean happiness scores was observed between the two groups (p < 0.001).
The use of a saffron-based product increased the mean happiness score in the intervention group, and a significant difference was observed between the intervention and control groups.
If your company aims to develop and/or create a saffron-based product to improve the mental health status of menopausal women
Source: Delam, H., Keshtkaran, Z., Shokrpour, N. et al. The effect of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) herbal tea on happiness in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Complement Med Ther 23, 176 (2023).
