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Saffron and global cognition: grade C

Limited evidence. Direction: Benefit.

C Limited

Educational guidance, not medical advice

Why this grade

Rubric condition met: Results only in clinical/older populations (Alzheimer's disease, mild cognitive impairment, coronary bypass patients) being extrapolated to healthy adults

A 2020 meta-analysis of four RCTs in Alzheimer's disease or MCI found better ADAS-cog and CDR-SB scores than placebo, and a 2020 systematic review of five RCTs (325 participants) reached a similar view but warned of potentially high risk of bias. The one non-impaired group in that review was a coronary bypass surgery trial. As of 2026-11-11 we found no randomized trial of saffron alone on cognitive tests in healthy adults.

How we grade evidence

Studies this grade rests on

EffectMixedNo effectSize shows participants (n)202020252030Meta-analysisSystematic reviewAvgerinos 2020, 2020: systematic review, n = 325, result not recordedAyati 2020, 2020: meta-analysis, n not recorded, result not recorded
each study this grade rests on, by publication year and design. Solid: effect versus the comparator; half-filled: mixed; hollow: no effect; dashed: result not recorded yet. Larger marks had more participants.
Show the numbers
StudyYearDesignParticipantsResult
Avgerinos 20202020systematic review325result not recorded
Ayati 20202020meta-analysisnot recordedresult not recorded

Effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on cognitive function. A systematic review of RCTs.

Avgerinos KI, Vrysis C, Chaitidis N. Effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on cognitive function. A systematic review of RCTs Neurol Sci, 2020. PMID 32445136

Result not recorded
Design
Systematic review of 5 randomized controlled trials
Sample
n = 325
Population
People with MCI or Alzheimer's disease, and one trial in people after coronary artery bypass surgery
Funding
Intramural Program of the National Institute on Aging, NIH

Saffron for mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

Ayati Z, Yang G, Ayati MH. Saffron for mild cognitive impairment and dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials BMC Complement Med Ther, 2020. PMID 33167948

Result not recorded
Design
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 4 randomized clinical trials
Population
People with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment (clinical population)
Funding
not stated

Search and history

Search (): (saffron[tiab] OR "Crocus sativus"[tiab] OR crocin[tiab]) AND (cognitive[tiab] OR cognition[tiab] OR memory[tiab] OR attention[tiab]) AND randomized controlled trial[pt] AND (healthy[tiab] OR "cognitively normal"[tiab] OR "non-demented"[tiab])

  • Graded C (proposed): Proposed in the monograph draft
  • C to C (approved): Editor sign-off November 13, 2026: grade matches the editor-approved final page