Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT

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Limited evidenceEye health

Crocetin

A carotenoid from saffron and gardenia fruit, marketed in Japan for eye strain. The two published human trials actually measured sleep, not vision, and both were small and from the same research group.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

  • Sleep quality Limited evidence

    A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study reported improvements in objectively measured sleep, including fewer awakenings, with crocetin in healthy adults with mild sleep complaints. The trial was small and follows an earlier pilot RCT from the same group; there is no independent replication.

  • Recovery from sleep-related fatigue Limited evidence

    An earlier pilot randomised trial of crocetin from Gardenia jasminoides reported better sleep efficiency and reduced awakening in a small group of healthy men. The sample was around 20 people and the study was industry-affiliated.

  • Eye strain and visual fatigue Limited evidence

    Despite being marketed for screen-related eye fatigue, a search of the clinical literature turns up no controlled trial of crocetin measuring accommodation, eye strain scores or visual fatigue. This claim is supported by product marketing, not published outcomes.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseThe human sleep trials used 7.5 mg of crocetin per day taken in the evening. No dose has been studied for eye-related outcomes.
SafetyNo serious adverse events were reported in the small trials, but total human exposure in the published literature is only a few dozen participants over short periods. Crocetin and saffron constituents may have mild antiplatelet and blood-pressure-lowering activity, so use caution with anticoagulants and antihypertensives. Avoid in pregnancy — high-dose saffron has traditional abortifacient use — and while breastfeeding.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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