The Multidimensional Effects of Saffron on Physiological Indices in Various Types of Exercise Training

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

2 Professor at the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

3 PhD Candidate of Sport Physiology, Department of Sport Physiology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.

4 Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Biotechnology, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Diwaniyah, Iraq.

10.22077/jsr.2026.10546.1296

Abstract

Introduction: Crocus sativus L., commonly known as saffron, is a valuable spice renowned for its bioactive-enriched compounds, primarily crocin, safranin, and picrocrocin. These constituents are responsible for its strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic-regulatory properties. In the realm of sports nutrition, these characteristics have prompted investigation into saffron's potential as a natural ergogenic aid, capable of countering the physiological stresses induced by different exercise modalities. Aerobic exercise often leads to central and peripheral oxidative stress, while resistance training primarily causes mechanical muscle damage and local inflammation. Concurrent training, which combines both, presents the unique challenge of the "interference effect," which can blunt muscular adaptations. Emerging clinical evidence suggests saffron may have pleiotropic and specific benefits for each of these training patterns. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review was to synthesize the recent evidence (from 2020 to 2025) regarding the multi-dimensional effects of saffron supplementation on a wide range of physiological, metabolic, and inflammatory indices across aerobic, resistance, and concurrent exercise regimens.
 
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a systematic narrative review following the PRISMA guidelines to ensure transparency and reproducibility. A comprehensive search was performed in several databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, SID, and ISC, for relevant literature published between 2020 and 2025. Keywords and their Boolean combinations included "saffron," "Crocus sativus," "crocin," "exercise," "aerobic training," "resistance training," "concurrent training," "metabolic markers," and "inflammation." Inclusion criteria encompassed human clinical trials, quasi-experimental studies, and RCTs that involved saffron supplementation combined with an exercise intervention and reported at least one physiological outcome. Animal studies, review articles, and studies with insufficient methodological detail were excluded. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Downs and Black checklist. Data were systematically extracted and qualitatively synthesized into tables categorized by exercise type due to heterogeneity in protocols, saffron doses, and populations.
 
Results and Discussion: Aerobic Training & Saffron: Saffron enhanced the benefits of aerobic exercise by significantly improving antioxidant capacity, reducing oxidative stress markers (e.g., MDA), and improving glycemic control (fasting glucose, HOMA-IR) and lipid profiles. It also led to a greater reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α) and cardiovascular risk markers (fibrinogen, homocysteine), ultimately contributing to increased endurance capacity and accelerated recovery.
Resistance Training & Saffron: When combined with resistance training, saffron significantly attenuated markers of muscle damage (CK, LDH) and inflammation, reduced DOMS, and facilitated greater improvements in maximal strength and training volume. It also showed benefits for metabolic health and was associated with improved psychological outcomes, such as reduced depression scores in clinical populations.
Concurrent Training & Saffron: In concurrent training programs, saffron supplementation demonstrated a potential to modulate the interference effect. It helped maintain or even enhance resistance-based adaptations (muscle strength and volume) while simultaneously supporting aerobic improvements (endurance, VO₂max), leading to more balanced and comprehensive physiological adaptations.
The discussion interprets these findings as being largely driven by saffron's core mechanisms of action: enhancing antioxidant defenses, suppressing inflammatory pathways, and improving metabolic regulation. This multi-system action allows it to effectively complement the specific physiological demands of each exercise type. While most evidence is positive, some short-term, high-intensity studies showed null effects, potentially due to differences in protocol and population. Limitations of the current body of evidence include heterogeneity in saffron doses and extract composition, relatively small sample sizes, a focus on specific populations, and a general lack of long-term follow-up.
 
Conclusion: This systematic review concludes that saffron supplementation acts as a potent, multi-system ergogenic aid that consistently enhances physiological adaptations across various exercise modalities. By bolstering antioxidant defenses, reducing exercise-induced inflammation and muscle damage, and improving glycemic and lipid metabolism, saffron effectively creates a synergy with aerobic, resistance, and concurrent training. This synergy translates to tangible benefits, including increased endurance capacity, accelerated strength recovery, and potentially mitigated interference in concurrent training. Consequently, saffron establishes itself as a safe, natural, and effective nutritional strategy for optimizing exercise performance and enhancing recovery in both athletic and clinical populations.

Keywords

References

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