Fro-yo girl here. I have a guest post this week from Safforia, an all-natural saffron elixir. Saffron and probiotics have been used to treat anxiety and depression.
Here's the post:
If you struggle with depression and/or anxiety, it’s important to seek treatment. These are genuine medical issues that can be addressed.
That said, it’s not uncommon for many people struggling with these illnesses to find some conventional treatments aren’t effective. There are fortunately other options worth considering if you’re one of those people. While you should always heed the advice of your doctor when addressing medical conditions, you may want to explore alternative treatments as well.
One option to consider is a combination of a probiotic and a saffron drink. Many people don’t realize that the brain is by no means the only part of the body linked with the physical effects of depression and anxiety. Recent scientific research indicates gut bacteria also play a role in these conditions. Thus, by treating this part of the body, it’s theoretically possible to treat mental health issues. Research confirms it.
The Link Between Microorganisms and Mental Health
The idea that gut health is connected to mental health may seem strange to some at first. However, it actually makes perfect scientific sense. People struggling with mental health issues often experience these conditions because their bodies aren’t secreting enough of certain chemicals and neurotransmitters associated with feelings of calm and emotional well-being.
Interestingly enough, we know that gut bacteria have the potential to secrete many different neurotransmitters, including those that can help relieve depression and anxiety. Probiotics help because they simply are these kinds of beneficial bacteria.
Once again, it’s important to understand that this treatment method isn’t based in fringe science. Multiple studies have already shown that probiotics-based treatments can allow for dramatic improvements in people worn down by stress, anxiety, and depression.
The evidence is twofold. On the one hand, study participants subjectively reported mood improvements after receiving probiotic treatments. Additionally, lab results confirmed that these treatments reduced the presence of such hormones as cortisol in the bodies of those involved in the study. This is significant, as cortisol is known as the “stress hormone.”
That said, when you’re treating these conditions, you naturally want to enhance any treatment method as much as possible. That’s why it’s also a good idea to combine probiotic treatments with saffron drinks. Researchers have found that combining probiotics with saffron extracts results in even greater improvements among study participants.
It’s worth remembering that you should explore all options and consult with your physician when treating anxiety and depression. You simply need to also keep in mind that alternatives are available when conventional treatments aren’t doing the trick. Safforia is one such option. This all-natural saffron drink has one of the highest concentrations of pure saffron, along with other ingredients that maximize bio-availability (e.g., black pepper and ginger). An alternative option like Safforia lets you harness the anxiety- and depression-fighting powers of saffron in a convenient and delicious daily elixir.
Fro-yo girl here. I know I bought Bio-K+, the fermented probiotic drink, years ago and I thought I reviewed it here, but I can’t find that review anywhere. I remember liking how Bio-K+ Original wasn’t too sweet.
Bio-K+ Original, a fermented dairy drink, was created in 1996 and could only be found in the Montreal area at that time. Later, it was approved for use by hospitals and prescribed to over 40,000 patients taking antibiotics. A published clinical study found the product was effective for reducing diarrhea linked to antibiotics and the also had the potential of reducing diarrhea linked to Clostridium difficile (Beausoleil et al.). Bio-K+ is the #1 recommended probiotic by doctors across Canada.
Over the years, Bio-K+ added other products: capsules and new flavors of drinks, including non-dairy and kids’ versions. I’ve seen Bio-K+ at quite a few stores, including Whole Foods, Gelson’s, Sprouts, and Erewhon. It is carried by some pharmacies at well.
Bio-K+ is not a yogurt. It’s a probiotic supplement that has 50 billion CFU in each bottle (the equivalent to eating 50 yogurts). One drink is 3.5 fl oz.
While I enjoyed Bio-K+ I never regularly consumed it because one small bottle was $5 or more. I don’t have digestive issues and I’m not taking antibiotics. My gut health is probably pretty good. I think Bio-K+ boosts your immune system too, which is something we could all use. It’s not clear whether healthy people should take probiotics though.
Bio-K+ recently added a few non-dairy options: Blueberry (fermented rice), Mango (fermented soy), Coconut (fermented pea & hemp). The coconut flavor is a Whole Foods exclusive in the US.
I tried the flavored drink flavors that are for adults and here’s what I thought of each. I didn’t try the Coconut flavor.
- Strawberry (fermented dairy): This was the best flavor. It was tangy, creamy, and tasted like real strawberries and dairy. 4 out of 5 stars.
- Mango (fermented soy): This was pleasant though the mango flavor wasn’t that strong. There was a hint of soy flavor that I liked. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
- Blueberry (fermented rice): I could barely taste the blueberries. The funky fermented flavor was super strong. The drink was very sour. It contains less sugar than the Mango and Strawberry flavors. It was also thinner and not as creamy. I can’t imagine drinking much of this, and I like sour flavors. 1.5 out of 5 stars.
People like to add Bio-K+ to smoothies, overnight oats, and chia puddings.
You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.
Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.
Fro-yo girl here. Drinkwell Softers uses St. Benoit’s organic yogurt whey and fruits and/or aromatics from the farm to create its delicious, tangy fermented healthier carbonated beverages. These soft drinks are locally made, all natural, fresh, organic and probiotic. I spotted their drinks at Canyon Market. The flavors change with the seasons but during my visit they had three very interesting flavors: Rosemary, Rose Geranium, Lavender
* Rose geranium softers: The drink is very crisp, light and refreshing with a fruity quality to it. It’s naturally carbonated, lightly sweetened, smells like roses, and pretty tangy but it doesn’t taste like yogurt
An 8.5 ounce bottle of Drinkwell Softers is $1.99 +$1.50 bottle deposit. One serving is 41 calories.
Drinkwell Softers can be found at San Francisco’s Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market on Saturdays at the Eatwell Farm stand.
4.5 out of 5 stars
You know you love me. X0 X0, fro-yo girl.
Looking for more frozen yogurt news, discussion boards, and resources? Check out the International Frozen Yogurt Association website at http://internationalfrozenyogurt.com/. The IFYA is the independent voice of the frozen yogurt industry.
