Quick verdict
- Choose affron® for mood, stress and sleep (28 mg/day).
- Choose Satiereal® for snacking and appetite (176.5 mg/day).
- Choose a crocin-standardized generic (e.g. 30 mg, 7.5% crocins) for a cheaper option that still discloses its strength.
- Avoid unstandardized generics if you want results comparable to the trials.
affron® vs Satiereal® vs Generic: Side by Side
| affron® | Satiereal® | Generic extract | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maker | Pharmactive Biotech (Spain) | Inoreal (France) | Various |
| Standardization | ≥3.5% Lepticrosalides® (crocins + safranal) | Proprietary saffron stigma extract | Often not stated; some list crocin % |
| Studied dose | 28 mg/day | 176.5 mg/day | Usually 30 mg/day in academic trials |
| Main research | Mood, stress, sleep, teen anxiety | Snacking, satiety | Depression, PMS, eyes |
| Best for | Mood, stress & sleep | Appetite & cravings | Budget, if standardized |
About affron®
affron® is made in Spain from Crocus sativus stigmas and standardized to at least 3.5% Lepticrosalides®, the manufacturer's term for its combined bioactive compounds. It has been tested in several randomized controlled trials, including healthy adults with low mood (Kell 2017), adolescents with anxiety and low mood (Lopresti 2018) and adults with poor sleep (Lopresti 2020). Typical products provide 14 mg or 28 mg per capsule.
Organic affron® at the studied 28 mg dose.
About Satiereal®
Satiereal® is a saffron stigma extract developed in France. Its key study, Gout et al. (2010), found it reduced snacking and increased fullness in mildly overweight women at 176.5 mg/day, split into two doses. Products typically provide about 88 mg per capsule, which is where the common "88.5 mg" figure comes from.
A long-running Satiereal® formula from Life Extension.
What About Generic Saffron Extracts?
Many of the original depression trials used 30 mg/day of non-branded hydro-alcoholic saffron extracts. So generic extracts can work, provided they are genuine and potent. The problem is that many Amazon products copy the "88.5 mg" figure from Satiereal® without using Satiereal® or disclosing their strength. Prefer generics that state crocin and safranal percentages.
A 30 mg generic with ≥7.5% crocins and ≥1% safranal printed on the label.
Which Should You Buy?
| Your goal | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Low mood, stress, anxiety | affron® 28 mg or a 30 mg standardized generic |
| Sleep quality | affron® 14 mg × 2 or 28 mg in the evening |
| Snacking, cravings | Satiereal® 88 mg × 2 before meals |
| Eye health | 20–30 mg of a crocin-standardized extract |
| Tight budget | A standardized generic, not an unstandardized one |
Still unsure? The Saffron Supplement Finder quiz gives you a personal recommendation.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is affron better than Satiereal?
Neither is better overall. affron® was studied for mood, stress and sleep, and Satiereal® for appetite. Match the extract to your goal.
Why is Satiereal dosed so much higher than affron?
They are prepared and standardized differently, so the milligram figures aren't comparable. Always follow the dose used in the extract's own studies.
Is generic saffron extract worth buying?
Yes, if it states its standardization (crocin and/or safranal %) and comes from a tested brand. Unstandardized generics are a gamble.
What does 88.5 mg of saffron mean?
It is the per-capsule amount of Satiereal® used in the appetite trial (two capsules a day). Many generic products copy the number, so it doesn't guarantee Satiereal® or any particular strength.
Research & Sources
- Kell G, et al. affron® improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks. Complement Ther Med. 2017;33:58-64.
- Lopresti AL, et al. Affron® for youth anxiety and depressive symptoms. J Affect Disord. 2018;232:349-357.
- Lopresti AL, et al. Effects of saffron on sleep quality in healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(6):937-947.
- Gout B, et al. Satiereal reduces snacking and increases satiety. Nutr Res. 2010;30(5):305-313.