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This Soothing Tea Can Boost Your Mood, Help You Sleep Better, and Improve Heart Health

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Depression, anxiety, and insomnia all unfortunately tend to go hand-in-hand when they creep into our lives. If you’re looking for ways to soothe all of these frustrating issues without prescriptions, you might want to try sipping saffron tea. The floral beverage has been shown to ease those ailments, plus boost heart health, memory, and weight loss!

It’s often called the “sunshine spice,” but not because of its vibrant color. Several studies have found saffron helps us see the brighter side of life, including one from 2005 that claimed it works as well as Prozac for treating mild to moderate depression. Another study published earlier this year found that it was able to improve symptoms from depression and protect against stress-related psychiatric disorders. That calming effect can nip insomnia in the bud, too. A recent study discovered saffron aided in both the ability to fall asleep at night and improving the overall quality of slumber. 

Your heart may also thank you for sipping on saffron tea. The antioxidant rich spice has been shown to ward off cardiovascular disease and lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Like other antioxidants, they might also keep free radicals at bay to help prevent and treat cancer.

For those looking to shed a few pounds, Dr. Oz is a fan of saffron’s ability to curb hunger between meals. It’s apparently especially effective when it comes to nixing sugar cravings. If all of that wasn’t enough to convince you of its potent perks, researchers found two chemicals in saffron — crocin and crocetin — can improve memory and learning skills as we age. 

Aside from all of these benefits, saffron is renowned for being the most expensive spice in the world — worth more than its weight in gold. However, you don’t have to worry about paying an arm and a leg for this notoriously pricey spice. You can find quality budget-friendly saffron strands online, like the highly-reviewed Zaran Saffron (Buy on Amazon, ​​$13.95), and brew a tiny pinch of the threads in hot water to get the perks. It has a slightly sweet, floral taste on its own, but you can add honey or your favorite bag of tea to the cup for extra flavor. You can also try pre-made blends, like the Safaroma Saffron Breakfast Tea (Buy on Amazon, $14.99), for an easy ways to enjoy the benefits. Either way, drink up!

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