Popular Spice Could Prevent Blindness

According to a new study conducted by scientists in Italy and Australia, the well-known food spice Saffron, a popular ingredient in Mediterranean foods and curries, could help keep vision sharp. The spice known for giving food that distinct yellow colour could in fact help reduce the development of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, the leading cause of sight loss in the elderly.

In the tests that have recently been conducted, volunteers were given a pill that contained saffron with the results showing an astonishing improvement in eyesight. The tests in Italy involved one group of volunteers taking the saffron pill for three months followed by three months without the pill, with the other group having three months placebo before taking the pill for three months. This allowed researchers to monitor just how significant the saffron pill was; with the results showing a significant difference in the eyesight when taking the pill as opposed to not taking the pill. The interest lies in the fact that almost as soon as someone stops taking the pill the effects cease quickly. The benefits of the pill were seen in the volunteers improved abilities to read one or two lines smaller on chart and finding themselves able to read newspapers and books again. Lead researcher, Professor Siliva Bisti, from the University of Sydney discusses how chemically, the saffron spice has always been known to be complex with it being a herbal medicine for things such as depression and tumours, but until now its effect on eyesight had remained untested.

Scientists believe that saffron’s magical abilities stem from its ability to help the genes that normally regulate the cell membrane’s fatty acids making them more resilient. It is also thought to decrease cell death and increase oxygen flow. Trials have been conducted on animal eyes where saffron was found to help protect the eyes from bright lights damaging them. Further trials are to be conducted into its benefits for AMD to find the ideal dosage and the science behind its benefits. With 25% of the elderly population in the UK alone suffering from it and there being no cure, the fact that a cure could lie in a traditional herb medicine is ground-breaking.

6th February 2010

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