What Is Saffron and Is It Safe for Children?

Introduction

Saffron might be something you associate more readily with a fragrant pot of biryani than your child’s daily wellness routine. But increasingly, parents researching children’s focus, concentration and cognitive support are coming across saffron as an ingredient in nutritional supplements. That raises some understandable questions.

What exactly is saffron? Why is it included in children’s supplements? What does the research say? And, importantly, is saffron safe for children?

Let’s unpack it.

What Is Saffron?

Saffron comes from the Crocus sativus flower. The delicate crimson stigmas at the centre of the flower are harvested and dried to produce the saffron traditionally used as a spice. It has been valued for centuries and contains naturally occurring compounds including crocin, crocetin and safranal.

But the saffron in a carefully formulated nutritional supplement isn’t simply a spoonful of the spice rack. This is where the type, quality and standardisation of the saffron extract become important. If you’d like to learn more about saffron itself, visit our Saffron Ingredient Guide.

Why Is Saffron Being Used in Children’s Supplements?

Traditional children’s supplements have often focused on physical nutritional needs. Increasingly, however, parents are also looking for ways to support children through demanding school days, homework, tests and busy routines. As a result, researchers have become interested in saffron and its naturally occurring compounds in relation to areas of cognitive and emotional wellbeing.

Research is continuing to explore saffron’s potential role in areas such as attention, mood and cognitive function, including research involving younger populations. It is important, however, to distinguish between promising nutritional research and medical treatment.

Not All Saffron Is the Same

Seeing the word “saffron” on two different supplement labels doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting the same thing. Botanical ingredients can differ according to where and how they are grown, processed and extracted. This is why standardisation matters. A standardised extract is produced according to defined specifications, helping provide consistency from one serving to the next. And this is particularly relevant to Brain Batteries Gummies.

Meet Affron®: The Saffron Extract Used in Brain Batteries

Vie&Sante Brain Batteries Gummies contain Affron®, a standardised saffron extract.

Rather than choosing saffron simply because it is a fashionable botanical ingredient, the formulation uses a defined saffron extract that can be considered in the context of the research conducted on that particular ingredient. For parents, that distinction matters. When you’re researching a children’s supplement, don’t stop at: “Does it contain saffron?” Also ask: 

• “What saffron extract does it contain?” 

• “Is it standardised?” 

• “What research supports the ingredient?”

That gives you considerably more useful information than the ingredient name alone.

What Does Research Say About Saffron and Cognitive Support?

Saffron contains several biologically active compounds, including crocin, crocetin and safranal, which have attracted scientific interest. Research has explored saffron and standardised saffron extracts in relation to areas including attention, mood and cognitive wellbeing. The evidence should, however, be interpreted carefully. Research into saffron continues to develop, and results from individual studies don’t mean that every saffron product will produce the same outcome in every child.

This is another reason why the specific extract, formulation and serving used in a product matter. Parents should also be wary of claims suggesting that saffron can “cure” concentration problems or replace medical treatment.

Children’s ability to concentrate is influenced by many factors, including sleep, nutrition, physical activity, stress, emotional wellbeing and their learning environment.

Is Saffron Safe for Children?

This is probably the most important question for a parent considering a saffron-containing supplement. Safety depends on factors including the child’s age, the formulation, the amount used and the quality of the ingredient.

Saffron used as a culinary ingredient is also not the same thing as giving a child an unspecified amount of saffron extract. Parents should therefore choose products specifically formulated for children, follow the recommended serving instructions and speak to an appropriate healthcare professional if they have concerns or their child has particular health needs. Never assume that an ingredient is suitable for every child simply because it is natural.