Saffron and Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels

Research synthesisModerate evidenceSmall effect4 studies · 3 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 4 studies (3 meta-analyses and 1 RCT), 3 reported beneficial effects of saffron supplementation on reducing fasting blood glucose (FBG), with predominantly small effect sizes. The most studied population was clinical (metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, prediabetes), and the median study duration was 84 days (12 weeks), suggesting effects are typically observed at 12 weeks. The only study reporting a dose used 200 mg/day.

Effective dose range: 200 mg/day
Studied populations: people with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, or prediabetes

Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). One meta-analysis did not find a significant effect for saffron specifically (the significant finding was pooled across multiple herbs/spices), adding some inconsistency. The dose was reported in only one study, limiting dose-response conclusions.

Generated Jul 18, 2026

Doses used in studies

mg/day: 200 (median 200, IQR 200–200) — 1 study

Time to effect

Median: 2.8 months · IQR 2.8 months–2.8 months · Range 2.8 months–2.8 months — Reported in 1 of 4 studies

4 of 4 papers

Effects of Saffron Supplementation on Glycolipid Metabolism and Blood Pressure in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
- 2025-02-11
- Meta-Analysis · n = 1,486
- Phytotherapy research : PTR 39(5)
- - Xiaolei Zhang
  - Jinxin Miao
  - Yagang Song
  - Mingsan Miao
- PubMed: 39931766
- DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8421
11 Insights on
- Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
- High evidence
- Clinical
saffron supplementation triggered significant reductions in fasting blood glucose (FBG) (WMD: -6.67 mg/dL; 95% CI: -10.55, -2.78; p = 0.001; I² = 50.0%)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
The effect of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training with or without saffron supplementation on diabetes-specific markers and inflammation in women with type 2 diabetes: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
- 2024-06-14
- RCT · n = 44
- European journal of sport science 24(7)
- - Ali Rajabi
  - Ali Akbar Nezhad Gharehlo
  - Elham Madadizadeh
  - Aref Basereh
  - Kimya Khoramipoor
  - Hossein Pirani
  - Karen Khoramipour
  - Othmar Moser
  - Kayvan Khoramipour
- PubMed: 38874882
- DOI: 10.1002/ejsc.12125
6 Insights on
- Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
- High evidence
- Clinical
serum levels of glucose (p < 0.001) ... showed significant reduction in the ST, PT, and SS groups compared to the P group
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Large
Significant
Yes
Dose
200 mg/day
Effect of Aromatic Herbs and Spices Present in the Mediterranean Diet on the Glycemic Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
- 2024-03-07
- Meta-Analysis
- Nutrients 16(6)
- - María Carmen Garza
  - Sofía Pérez-Calahorra
  - Carmen Rodrigo-Carbó
  - María Antonia Sánchez-Calavera
  - Estíbaliz Jarauta
  - Rocío Mateo-Gallego
  - Irene Gracia-Rubio
  - Itziar Lamiquiz-Moneo
- PubMed: 38542668
- DOI: 10.3390/nu16060756
3 Insights on
- Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
This systematic review ... 77 were included in the qualitative synthesis and 45 were included in the meta-analysis. Our results showed that cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, black cumin, and saffron significantly improved the fasting glucose levels in T2DM subjects.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
The effect of saffron supplementation on liver and kidney function, blood glucose and pressure in patients with diabetes and prediabetes: A grade assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- 2025-03
- Meta-Analysis
- Prostaglandins & other lipid mediators 177
- - Jia-Wei Zhang
  - Qing Zhao
  - Zhe Li
  - Qian Liu
  - Sha-Sha Zang
  - Sha Liu
- PubMed: 39818282
- DOI: 10.1016/j.prostaglandins.2025.106949
7 Insights on
- Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
- High evidence
- Clinical
Saffron supplementation significantly reduced ... FBG (SMD = -0.57, 95 % CI: -0.93 to -0.22, p = 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes

Saffron and Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels

Effects of Saffron Supplementation on Glycolipid Metabolism and Blood Pressure in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome and Related Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The effect of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training with or without saffron supplementation on diabetes-specific markers and inflammation in women with type 2 diabetes: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Effect of Aromatic Herbs and Spices Present in the Mediterranean Diet on the Glycemic Profile in Type 2 Diabetes Subjects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The effect of saffron supplementation on liver and kidney function, blood glucose and pressure in patients with diabetes and prediabetes: A grade assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.