Impact Of Saffron Supplementation And Resistance Training On Depression-related Markers In Untrained Young Males

Abstract

Resistance training (RT) is known to improve mental well-being through reductions in depressive moods and anxiety while increasing levels of happiness. Recently, saffron supplementation has received considerable attention due to its antidepressant properties. However, the effect of the combination of these two interventions on markers implicated in depression and levels of happiness in humans is currently unknown. The addition of a nutritional supplement to RT may be essential to boost improvements in depression-related markers and happiness levels achieved by RT alone. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of six weeks of RT combined with saffron supplementation on depression-related markers and happiness levels in untrained young males. METHODS: Twenty-eight untrained young males [age (24 ± 2 years) and body mass index (24.6 ± 1.7 kg/m2)] were randomized to either a RT + saffron supplement (RS; n = 14) or RT + placebo (RP; n = 14) group for 6 weeks. Participants in the RS group took one 150 mg pill of pure saffron daily while those in the RP group took a dextrose pill identical in appearance. Whole-body supervised RT (6 exercises, 3 sets per exercise using 60-70% of 1-repetition maximum) was performed 4 x week. Concentrations of Anandamide (AEA), 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), serotonin, dopamine, β-endorphin, tryptophan, happiness levels and body composition were assessed before and after the 6 weeks. RESULTS: AEA (RS: 0.5 ± 0.6 vs. RP: 0.09 ± 0.2 ng/ml), 2-AG (RS: 0.04 ± 0.03 vs. RP: 0.02 ± 0.05 ng/ml), dopamine (RS: 0.7 ± 0.6 vs. RP: 0.3 ± 0.6 ng/ml), and β-endorphin (RS: 9.4 ± 4.1 vs. RP: 4.1 ± 10 pg/ml) concentrations significantly improved in the RS (P < 0.05) while no changes were detected in the RP group. Serotonin (RS: 1.7 ± 0.6 vs. RP: 1.0 ± 0.9 ng/mL) concentrations and happiness levels (RS: 1.5 ± 0.5 vs. RP: 0.5 ± 0.4) significantly increased in both groups with greater changes in RS group. No significant changes were observed in tryptophan concentrations after 6 weeks. Total lean mass increased in both groups, but without significant between-group difference. CONCLUSIONS: Six weeks of RT combined with saffron supplementation improved depression-related markers in untrained young males. Moreover, the addition of a saffron supplement to chronic RT results in greater improvements in happiness levels than RT alone.