Saffron and sprint performance in active young men
What it found
A single 300 mg dose of saffron did not change sprint times, heart rate, blood lactate or mood in active young men.
The test compared saffron to a dummy pill two hours before repeated short sprints.
What they found
Studies in people
Sprint speed and fatigue
Taking 300 mg of saffron made no difference to peak sprint time, total sprint time or how quickly the men tired. Results were about the same as after the dummy pill.
Heart rate and blood lactate
Heart rate before and during the sprints was similar whether the men took saffron or the dummy pill. Blood lactate levels measured right after the test also showed no difference between the two sessions.
Mood and effort perception
The men rated how hard the exercise felt and how they were feeling on an 11-point scale. Saffron did not change these ratings compared to the dummy pill, either before or after the sprints.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that a single 300 mg dose of saffron did not improve repeated sprint ability or change body responses in active young men.
- They advise future trials to test higher doses and longer periods of saffron intake.
- The authors suggest looking at both trained and untrained groups as well as people with health conditions.
How it was done
Athletes increasingly use herbal supplements, and saffron has been linked to better physical performance when taken daily over time. Scientists wanted to know if a single dose could help with repeated short sprints.
Twenty-two healthy male sports students, average age 21.7 years, took part in a crossover trial. Each man took either three capsules totalling 300 mg of saffron or identical lactose capsules two hours before doing repeated 20-metre shuttle sprints. They repeated the test a week later with the other capsule.
What it can’t tell you
- This trial only tested one dose of 300 mg taken once, so it cannot show what happens with larger amounts or daily use.
- It only included young men, so the results may not apply to women or older adults.
- The men were told not to eat or drink after taking the capsules, which might not match how shoppers use saffron in everyday life.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- The authors declare no competing interests.
- Authors work at
- University of Jendouba, Tunisia; University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia; University of Gafsa, Tunisia
The paper
- Title
- Crocus Sativus Linnaeus (Saffron) intake does not affect physiological and perceptual responses during a repeated sprint test in healthy active young males
- Type
- Randomised controlled trial
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Ouerghi N, Abassi W, Jebabli N, et al (2024). Crocus Sativus Linnaeus (Saffron) intake does not affect physiological and perceptual responses during a repeated sprint test in healthy active young males. BMC research notes. doi:10.1186/s13104-024-06918-1Free full textPubMed 39227898DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error