Ashwagandha has become an increasingly popular choice of supplement, but what benefits can it offer you? Let’s take a look.
What is ashwagandha?
You may have seen ashwagandha when browsing the range of vitamins and minerals offered by food supplement specialists such as https://www.vitortho.co.uk/supplements/. But did you know it has been used for many thousands of years and is among the most revered herbs in Ayurveda, a form of alternative medicine led by Indian principles of natural healing? It is also known as winter cherry and Indian ginseng, and is a small shrub native to Southeast Asia and India.
Health benefits
One of the many reasons people choose to use ashwagandha is to combat anxiety and stress. It is an adaptogen and may help control stress mediators and help to regulate the body’s stress response. There is also some evidence suggesting that it can reduce symptoms in those suffering from mental health conditions such as depression.
Another one of its health benefits may be the ability to enhance athletic performance. Research has suggested it could increase oxygen use and strength during exercise.
It has also been linked to boosts in testosterone levels and increased fertility for men. Benefits may include increased testosterone production, semen volume, sperm mobility, and sperm concentration.
Ashwagandha and blood sugar
Some studies have shown a correlation between ashwagandha and the lowering of blood sugar levels, and there is potential for it to be used by people with diabetes. It is thought that the plant can help stimulate cells in order to prompt them to take glucose from the bloodstream.
The compounds in ashwagandha may also assist in the reduction of inflammation and could help improve brain function and memory. Several clinical studies have found links between the plant and improved cognitive functioning in some people, including older adults. This could include improvements in attention, reaction times, executive functioning and cognitive performance. There are suggestions that ashwagandha could have benefits when it comes to conditions such as schizophrenia and those that affect memory and cognitive abilities.
