Stop Taking Saffron Wrong: Pooja Makhija Shares the Clinically Proven Method

For years, most people have believed that saffron delivers the same benefits no matter how you consume it. But health and wellness influencer Pooja Makhija breaks down the science behind saffron absorption, and it turns out the method truly matters. Grounded in clinical research and nutritional biochemistry, her approach shows why warm water, not milk, delivers the therapeutic results saffron is famous for.

Why Water Unlocks Saffron's Most Powerful Compound:

Saffron contains several bioactive molecules, but the star is crocin, a yellow carotenoid responsible for mood enhancement, antioxidant effects, inflammation regulation, and metabolic support. Crocin is highly water‑soluble, which means warm water extracts it quickly and efficiently. Research shows crocin rapidly converts into crocetin, a form the body absorbs far better when dissolved in water.

This explains why that rich yellow tint in saffron water isn't just beautiful, it's biologically meaningful.

Clinical Trials Support Water-Based Saffron for Mood & PMS Relief:

The mood-boosting and PMS-supportive benefits you hear about? They primarily come from studies using water-based saffron extracts, not the traditional saffron‑milk preparation. Human trials have found that saffron significantly improves symptoms of anxiety, mood imbalance, and emotional instability, especially in perimenopausal women.

A meta-analysis of multiple human trials even found saffron's mood‑enhancing effects comparable to certain antidepressant categories. Since these outcomes rely on the availability of crocin and crocetin, using water becomes essential to match what research supports.

Milk Extracts Aroma, Not Potency:

While saffron milk is comforting and aromatic, the extraction of the chemistry is different. Milk pulls out safranal, a fat‑soluble aromatic compound responsible for saffron's fragrance. It smells wonderful, but contributes far less to the therapeutic benefits documented in scientific studies.

So while saffron milk is great for indulgence, it simply isn't the preparation used in clinical settings that study saffron's functional benefits.

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Warm Water Preserves Bioavailability:

Boiling can damage carotenoids, but gentle warm‑water steeping keeps crocin intact and bioavailable. This mirrors the extraction techniques used by researchers when studying saffron's impact on mood, inflammation, and metabolic wellness.

If your goals include mood balance, PMS support, reduced cravings, antioxidant benefits, gut comfort, or hormonal stability, the method that matches scientific evidence is saffron in warm water.