FOOD & FITNESS: An herb that curbs emotional eating

Cravings can derail a well-intended diet plan quicker than anything. Heather Hausenblas, Ph.D., of the University of Florida College of Health and Human Performance, says that snacking has changed dramatically since the 1970s and may in part explain the increase in overweight and obesity. “Not only are people snacking more frequently, but there is an increased preference for higher calorie snacks,” she says.

Willpower isn’t always enough to keep your hand out of the cookie jar, but there is a new way to fight cravings. Satiereal is a patent-pending, clinically proven satiety ingredient, which is derived from the flowers of saffron crocus. Saffron is best known as a culinary spice and dye, but Dr. Hausenblas says Satiereal is made from special crocus rich in active saffron constituents, which makes it cost-effective.

The study performed by Gout et al. [2010] found that mildly overweight women who took Satiereal Saffron for eight weeks reported 100 percent reduction in the desire to snack, 50 percent fewer instances of eating between meals, less hunger, moderate weight loss, and more energy.

People who have taken Satiereal Saffron extract say they experienced a greater sense of control over between-meal snacking, and a change in eating behavior, without that “jittery feeling” or other undesirable effects.

“When serotonin levels are low, people experience depression and anxiety,” Dr. Hausenblas says. “These feelings can lead to compulsive eating and craving."

Saffron, particularly the chemical components of safranal and crocin, elevates serotonin levels. When serotonin levels are high, people feel less stressed and depressed. When people feel better emotionally, they are less likely to overeat. The higher serotonin levels also produce a full feeling. "Satiereal is backed by safety data and will not increase levels of serotonin in the blood," Hausenblas says.

Satiereal is available as Re-Body Hunger Chews and Re-Body Hunger Caps. “You take two a day, preferably before your two main meals of the day or at times during the day that you typically feel like snacking,” Dr. Hausenblas explains, “and your tendency to overeat or snack goes way down.”