Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb with many health benefits.
Among its main advantages are reducing blood pressure and the fight against symptoms of depression and anxiety.
In this article, you will find the 12 main benefits of Ashwagandha proven by science.
Benefits of Ashwagandha
The benefits of Ashwagandha are vast because it contains many different antioxidants. These antioxidants help fight against free radicals, which can damage cells and cause diseases.
The health benefits of Ashwagandha are not limited to just physical health, but it also helps with mental health issues like anxiety and insomnia.
1. Is an Ancient Medicinal Herb
Ashwagandha has been used since ancient times to improve energy levels, combat stress, and increase concentration.
Its main benefits are understood to come from its high content of withanolides, which helps fight inflammation and tumor growth.
2. Can Reduce Blood Sugar Levels
According to a test-tube study, this medicinal herb increases insulin secretion and improves insulin sensitivity.
Additionally, other human studies have found that it can help lower blood sugar levels.
Another study on people with schizophrenia found that consuming Ashwagandha helps lower blood sugar levels.
Finally, a study conducted on people with type 2 diabetes suggested that the consumption of ashwagandha supplements accelerates the reduction of blood sugar levels.
3. Might Have Anticancer Properties
Ashwagandha has a compound called withaferin. According to studies, it helps fight cancer cells in the body while preventing the growth of new malignant cells.
Withaferin is believed to promote the formation of reactive oxygen species within cancer cells, disrupting their function. In addition, it would cause the death of cancer cells.
According to animal studies, this herb helps treat cancer such as ovarian, brain, colon, and breast cancer.
In fact, a study conducted on rodents with ovarian tumors found that withaferin reduces the growth of tumors and prevents them from spreading throughout the body.
4. Can Reduce Cortisol Levels
Cortisol is the hormone that is released in response to stress.
According to studies, Ashwagandha helps reduce cortisol levels.
A study conducted on people with chronic stress found that ashwagandha supplements significantly reduced cortisol levels.
5. May Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety
According to studies carried out on mice, Ashwagandha blocks the stress pathway in the brain, regulating the chemical signals of the nervous system.
In addition, studies conducted on humans found that this herb helps reduce stress and anxiety levels.
On the other hand, a six-week study found that 88% of people who took Ashwagandha reduced their anxiety.
6. May Reduce Symptoms of Depression
Some studies suggest that Ashwagandha may also help fight depression.
According to a study, 600 mg daily of ashwagandha extract helps reduce depression by 79%.
7. Can Boost Testosterone and Increase Fertility in Men
On the other hand, ashwagandha supplements could help increase testosterone levels in men and improve their reproductive health.
According to a study conducted on infertile men, Ashwagandha helps increase the amount and motility of sperm while increasing testosterone levels.
In another study, men who received Ashwagandha to combat stress experienced an improvement in sperm quality. After three months of treatment, 14% of the partners of these men became pregnant.
8. May Increase Muscle Mass and Strength
According to research, Ashwagandha helps increase strength and improves body composition.
In addition, a study found that consuming Ashwagandha increases muscle mass while reducing the percentage of fat in the body.
9. May Reduce Inflammation
According to animal studies, Ashwagandha is also beneficial in reducing inflammation.
In addition, human studies have found that this herb helps increase the activity of natural killer cells, that is, immune cells that help fight infections.
10. May Lower Cholesterol and Triglycerides
In addition to the aforementioned, Ashwagandha also improves heart health by reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
In fact, animal studies have found that it markedly reduces the levels of these blood fats.
According to a study carried out in mice, the consumption of Ashwagandha reduced the total cholesterol and triglycerides by 50%.
It is noteworthy that while the human studies showed changes, they were not as dramatic as the effects of the rodent studies.
11. May Improve Brain Function, Including memory
Various studies have found that Ashwagandha also helps improve memory and mitigate brain problems caused by illness or injury.
According to a study conducted in mice with epilepsy, Ashwagandha helps reverse spatial memory impairment by reducing oxidative stress.
On the other hand, an investigation carried out in humans found that the daily consumption of 500 mg of ashwagandha extract helps to improve task performance and reaction time.
Finally, a study conducted on 50 people found that consuming 300 mg of ashwagandha root twice a day improves overall memory and attention levels.
12. Is Safe For Most People and Widely Available
Consuming Ashwagandha is generally safe for most people.
However, it is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
It is also not recommended for people with autoimmune diseases or those taking medications for thyroid disease.
The Bottom Line
Ashwagandha is a well-known medicinal herb that has been used since ancient times for its beneficial properties.
It helps reduce stress and anxiety, improves fertility in men, and is even good for brain health.
