Saffron proves an eye-opener

London: It is one food colouring that you won't mind giving to the family. Research has shown that saffron, which gives chicken korma and paella their yellow colour, helps keep vision sharp.

Test findings suggest the spice reverses age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, the most common cause of blindness in old people.

"Patients' vision improved after taking the saffron pill," said Professor Silvia Bisti, of the University of Sydney, who carried out the research.

"When they were tested with traditional eye charts, a number of them could read one or two lines smaller than before, while others reported they could read newspapers and books again."

The finding is timely as it is thought the number of AMD sufferers will treble in the next 25 years as the population ages. It currently affects a quarter of over-60s in the UK and more than half of over-75s.

There are few treatments for the condition and no cure.

Saffron is the world's most expensive spice and, ounce for ounce, the best quality can cost more than gold. It is produced from fragile, crimson-coloured filaments hand-picked from tiny Crocus sativus flowers that bloom for less than a month a year.

— Daily Mail