Satiereal® (Standardized Saffron Extract for Snacking Control)

Crocus sativus
Evidence Level
Moderate
2 Clinical Trials
4 Documented Benefits
3/5 Evidence Score

Satiereal® is a standardized saffron stigma extract developed by Inoreal for appetite and snacking-control support. Distinct from generic saffron extracts and from mood-focused branded saffron variants such as Affron® and Safr'Inside, Satiereal® was characterized in an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in mildly overweight women, where 176.5 mg/day reduced snacking frequency and produced modest reductions in body weight versus placebo. A separate trial in coronary artery disease patients also reported reduced appetite and dietary intake with saffron extract and crocin. The evidence base is small but specifically supports a snacking-control positioning rather than significant standalone weight loss, and should be framed honestly within those limits.

Studied Dose The pivotal Gout 2010 RCT used 176.5 mg/day of Satiereal® saffron extract for 8 weeks in mildly overweight women, dosed as a single daily capsule.
Active Compound Standardized saffron (Crocus sativus) stigma extract; standardized for safranal and crocins; branded as Satiereal® by Inoreal.

Benefits

Helps reduce snacking frequency

An 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Satiereal® in mildly overweight women reported a meaningful reduction in snacking frequency between meals versus placebo. The effect is the most distinctive feature of this saffron extract within the weight-management space.

Supports satiety and reduced grazing

Trial participants reported subjectively greater satiety and reduced between-meal grazing on Satiereal®. The ingredient is positioned as a satiety-and-snacking-control adjunct rather than a primary weight-loss intervention.

Modest body weight changes alongside lifestyle support

Trials of saffron extract for appetite control report modest reductions in body weight compared with placebo in overweight populations. Effect sizes are small and best framed as an adjunct to diet and lifestyle support.

May support mood-related eating patterns

Saffron has documented effects on mood across separate trials, and some of Satiereal®'s appetite effect may be mediated through improvements in mood-related eating behaviors such as emotional snacking, though mood is not the primary positioning of this branded extract.

Mechanism of action

1

Serotonergic modulation

Crocins and safranal from saffron influence central serotonergic signalling, which is closely tied to satiety and appetite regulation as well as mood. This is the leading mechanistic explanation for Satiereal®'s observed snacking-control effects.

2

Dopaminergic / reward pathway modulation

Saffron constituents have been described as modulating dopaminergic signalling in preclinical models, which may dampen reward-driven snacking behavior — particularly relevant for between-meal grazing and emotional eating patterns.

3

Hypothalamic appetite signalling

Saffron's bioactive carotenoids may interact with central appetite regulators in the hypothalamus, contributing to observed reductions in snacking and subjective increases in satiety in clinical trials.

Clinical trials

1
Satiereal® 8-Week Snacking-Control RCT (Gout et al. 2010)

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Satiereal® saffron extract (176.5 mg/day) vs placebo in 60 mildly overweight, healthy women over 8 weeks. Outcomes: snacking frequency, subjective satiety, body weight, BMI.

60 mildly overweight healthy women; 8-week intervention.

Satiereal® significantly reduced snacking frequency between meals vs placebo and produced modest reductions in body weight. Establishes Satiereal® as a snacking-control rather than primary weight-loss intervention; small sample size is a key limitation.

2
Saffron and Crocin for Appetite and Body Composition in CAD Patients

8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of saffron extract and crocin in 84 coronary artery disease patients. Outcomes: appetite, dietary intake, body composition.

84 coronary artery disease patients; 8-week intervention.

Both saffron extract and crocin reduced appetite and dietary intake vs placebo, with saffron showing greater effects on central obesity measures. Supports the broader satiety positioning of branded saffron extracts including Satiereal®.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well tolerated at studied doses (≤200 mg/day).
Mild gastrointestinal discomfort or nausea occasionally reported.
Headache occasionally reported in saffron trials.
Avoid high doses in pregnancy due to traditional concerns about uterine activity.
Limited long-term safety data beyond trial durations.

Important Drug interactions

Antidepressants (SSRIs, MAOIs) — saffron has mild serotonergic effects; combine with clinician guidance.
Anticoagulants (warfarin) — possible modest platelet effects with high-dose saffron; monitor.
Antihypertensive medications — saffron may modestly influence blood pressure; monitor.
Sedatives — possible additive calming effects at higher saffron doses.

Frequently asked questions about Satiereal® (Standardized Saffron Extract for Snacking Control)

What is Satiereal?

Satiereal® is a standardized saffron stigma extract developed by Inoreal for appetite and snacking-control support. Distinct from generic saffron extracts and from mood-focused branded saffron variants such as Affron® and Safr'Inside, Satiereal® was characterized in an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlle…

What is Satiereal used for?

Satiereal is researched primarily for Weight Management, Mood & Mental Health, and Metabolic Health. An 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Satiereal® in mildly overweight women reported a meaningful reduction in snacking frequency between meals versus placebo.

What is the recommended dosage of Satiereal?

The clinically studied dose is The pivotal Gout 2010 RCT used 176.5 mg/day of Satiereal® saffron extract for 8 weeks in mildly overweight women, dosed as a single daily capsule. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is Satiereal safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, Satiereal is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well tolerated at studied doses (≤200 mg/day). Mild gastrointestinal discomfort or nausea occasionally reported. It may also interact with some medications. Satiereal is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does Satiereal interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Antidepressants (SSRIs, MAOIs) — saffron has mild serotonergic effects; combine with clinician guidance. Anticoagulants (warfarin) — possible modest platelet effects with high-dose saffron; monitor. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for Satiereal?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for Satiereal as Moderate (3 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 2 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(2 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Gout B, Bourges C, Paineau-Dubreuil S. Satiereal, a Crocus sativus L extract, reduces snacking and increases satiety in a randomized placebo-controlled study of mildly overweight, healthy women. Nutr Res. 2010;30(5):305-13. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2010.04.008.PubMedUsed to support: Foundational 8-week RCT of Satiereal® (176.5 mg/day) in 60 mildly overweight women — significant reductions in snacking frequency and modest reductions in body weight vs placebo. Establishes Satiereal® as a snacking-control rather than primary weight-loss ingredient.
  2. Abedimanesh N, Bathaie SZ, Abedimanesh S, Motlagh B, Separham A, Ostadrahimi A. Saffron and crocin improved appetite, dietary intakes and body composition in patients with coronary artery disease. J Cardiovasc Thorac Res. 2017;9(4):200-208. doi: 10.15171/jcvtr.2017.35.PubMedUsed to support: 8-week RCT in 84 coronary artery disease patients — saffron extract and crocin reduced appetite and dietary intake vs placebo, with saffron showing greater effects on central obesity measures. Reinforces the satiety positioning of branded saffron extracts including Satiereal®.