Many people in western countries have been increasingly turning to Ashwagandha for its stress-relieving properties and its other favorable health benefits. Research is beginning to increasingly focus on the health benefits of Ashwagandha, which has been shown to have a wide range of beneficial effects on the human body. When taken in tea, powder, tinctures, or as a supplement, Ashwagandha has been shown to provide health advantages when consumed in any of these ways.
Indian ginseng and winter cherry are other names for Ashwagandha, and it is also known by its scientific name Withania Somnifera. Ashwagandha is an intriguing type of natural medicine, which may gain additional traction this decade. The World Health Organization recently noted that 180 member countries use traditional and complementary medicine. Data Bridge Market Research Projects that the Ashwagandha market will grow by 11.4% per annum through 2028.
Ashwagandha has a wide variety of health benefits, and this article will mainly focus on how it can help improve heart health and cognitive function. Some of the other health benefits of Ashwagandha include reduced sugar and fat levels, increased sexual function, and increased muscle mass. Ashwagandha may also be able to help with diabetes and lower your blood pressure.
Health Benefits of Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha has a diverse set of health benefits and can help to improve your mental health and physical health. Below are some of the main health benefits of Ashwagandha, with a list of supporting studies that focus on specific health issues.
Reduces Stress and Anxiety
One of the most commonly known benefits of Ashwagandha is its ability to help people relax and feel less stressed after consuming it. Ashwagandha has been shown in several trials to significantly reduce stress and anxiety in participants. According to one study, Ashwagandha may help with sleep quality as well participants reported sleeping better with ashwagandha dosages than with placebos. During one study, 46 adults were either given Ashwagandha or a placebo daily for 60 days to see how this would alter their stress and anxiety levels. It was noted that cortisol levels dropped for the group that received ashwagandha, and more people reported a reduction in stress levels after 60 days. The reduction in cortisol is very significant, given that high cortisol levels can cause issues with heart health, stroke, diabetes, or other serious health conditions.
Improves Concentration and Memory
There is evidence that suggests that Ashwagandha can improve cognition, memory, and motor skills. Participants’ reaction times during cognitive and psychomotor tests (which evaluate the ability to respond to instructions and carry out a suggested activity) were considerably enhanced by Ashwagandha compared to a placebo in small studies. According to one study, the participants’ attention spans and short- and long-term memory increased dramatically after taking Ashwagandha. Other nutraceutical products that have been shown to potentially have similar effects include magnesium, iron supplements, and quercetin to name a few. Ashwagandha may also potentially be useful for elderly individuals, who may be struggling with cognitive issues and looking for natural remedies. Withanamides, one of Ashwagandha’s active constituents, have been proven to protect against Alzheimer’s disease plaques caused by B-amyloid. As a natural antioxidant, Ashwagandha is supposed to protect cells from free radical damage. According to the results of research, Ashwagandha may also potentially help prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Improves Heart Health
Ashwagandha has been shown to help reduce cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, which can have a significant impact on many areas of one’s health, including heart health. Furthermore, Ashwagandha has also been shown to help lower blood pressure and potentially help offset some of the symptoms of diabetes. All of these factors bode well for heart health. Ashwagandha has been demonstrated in at least two trials to enhance VO2 max, the maximum quantity of oxygen you can take in when exercising. Cardiorespiratory endurance is measured by these values, which show how well the heart and lungs can supply oxygen to the muscles when you’re doing out. To put it another way, greater VO2 max values can indicate a strong, healthy heart. While this study was done with healthy, athletic individuals alone, the results may not be generalizable because it was not undertaken with a more varied set of participants.
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