Ashwagandha is believed to have several health benefits that can improve our well-being in today’s fast-paced and stressful world. But if the thought of adding another step to your routine feels overwhelming, ashwagandha gummies could be the perfect solution for you.
Ashwagandha gummies offer all of the herb’s health benefits in a convenient and tasty form. They’re an easy way to introduce ashwagandha to your diet, taking just a few seconds out of your day.
We’re taking a deep dive into the numerous health benefits of ashwagandha gummies. But before we get started, let’s remind ourselves what ashwagandha is.
In This Article
- Alleviate stress
- Increase immune functioning
- Enhance brain function and memory
- Improve athletic performance
- Improve sexual function in women
- Encourage better sleep
- Help with weight loss
- How long does it take for ashwagandha to work?
- Are there any risks or side effects associated with ashwagandha?
- Is it ok to take ashwagandha long term?
- What are the risks of taking ashwagandha?
- What is the best time to take ashwagandha?
What is ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha is an herbal shrub that’s been used in traditional Ayurveda for thousands of years. It’s classed as an adaptogen, which means that it can help your body respond to stress and fatigue in a healthier way. You might also hear ashwagandha referred to as Indian ginseng, winter cherry, or Withania somnifera.
When using ashwagandha, the roots and berries are the focus. However, outside of traditional settings, it’s rare to ingest the plant in its raw form. Instead, the beneficial bioactives are extracted from the plant parts and are dried to a powdered form. This powder can then be used to create more user-friendly products.
As one of the most popular adaptogens, ashwagandha is available in various forms. Teas, powders, tinctures, and supplements are all common. But one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to take ashwagandha is in the form of gummies.
Ashwagandha can be used to promote overall well-being or to support the treatment of specific health problems.
7 Potential Health Benefits of Ashwagandha Gummies
Ashwagandha gummies have many exciting potential health benefits. Western countries have only recently started to investigate the plant’s potential uses, though, so the jury’s still out on whether any of these can be definitively backed up by science.
However, the current research indicates that ashwagandha’s health applications could be both powerful and extensive. Here are some of the most promising potential benefits.
Alleviate stress
The most discussed benefit of ashwagandha is its ability to relieve stress.. As we mentioned above, ashwagandha is an adaptogen, which means it can help the body to cope with both mental and physical stressors.
The surge in ashwagandha’s popularity over the past few years can be mostly put down to its adaptogenic properties becoming more widely known. An increasing number of scientific studies support the idea that ashwagandha can significantly reduce stress, with evidence showing that it substantially reduces levels of cortisol (the stress hormone).
Increase immune functioning
Ashwagandha has long been used as an immune system booster in Ayurveda. However, modern Western countries have also begun to appreciate the potential benefits of ashwagandha on the immune system.
A 2021 study concluded that ashwagandha extract significantly improved the immune profile of healthy subjects. The researchers found that the herb held multiple immune-stimulatory properties and should be considered a potent immune-boosting supplement.
Enhance brain function and memory
A recent small but promising study found that ashwagandha can improve memory and cognitive function. Subjects who were given ashwagandha performed better in tests of working memory and sustained attention than those who were given a placebo.
On top of this, the ashwagandha group showed faster reaction times and reported fewer signs of mental fatigue. It’s possible that the results are a secondary effect of ashwagandha’s stress-reducing properties, which is why further research is needed.
Improve athletic performance
Athletes are always looking for ways to enhance their performance, and ashwagandha might be a surprising way of going about this. One large-scale study found that ashwagandha had the potential to increase strength, improve cardio fitness, and aid post-exercise recovery in both men and women.
A separate piece of research highlighted the herb’s ability to increase VO2 consumption in healthy adults. VO2 max refers to the maximum amount of oxygen that a person can effectively use during exercise. High-tier athletes are often found to have exceptionally high VO2 max levels, proving just how important this metric is for measuring athletic capability.
Improve sexual function in women
A 2015 study found that high-concentration ashwagandha supplement usage had a positive effect on overall sexual functioning in women. Those participating in the study reported higher scores for arousal, lubrication, and satisfaction after taking the supplement.
Encourage better sleep
Lack of sleep quality or quantity is one of the most widespread problems in otherwise healthy adults. That’s why ashwagandha’s potential as a sleep aid is one of its most exciting uses, and another reason why its popularity has taken off in recent years.
It makes sense that a stress-reducing supplement could have the knock-on effect of improving sleep quality. But researchers have found that ashwagandha has an even greater positive effect on sleep in people than in the general adult population. This indicates that there may be deeper mechanisms at play, which could be confirmed with further trials.
Help with weight loss
There’s growing evidence that ashwagandha could help with weight management in people suffering from stress.
One study analyzed the impact of taking ashwagandha on food cravings and body weight in 52 subjects. It found that the supplement helped with improvements in planning, positive reinforcement, self-control, emotion, and environmental triggers.
However, there were no significant changes relating to thoughts about food or guilt. The researchers hypothesized that the study’s subjects lost weight because they rejected food as a form of stress alleviation, finding relief via ashwagandha instead.
How to take ashwagandha
If you’re interested in experiencing ashwagandha’s numerous health benefits for yourself, you have plenty of options available. You can go down the traditional route and buy ashwagandha whole, using the berries and roots to make a tea.
But for ease and convenience, ashwagandha supplements are generally the way to go. These come in many different forms, from capsules to tablets to powders to liquids. Ashwagandha creams and ointments are also available for topical application.
Those who are new to ashwagandha might want to consider gummies as a starting point. Our extra strength ashwagandha gummies come in a delicious tropical fruit flavor so that you don’t have to worry about any unpleasant tastes.
We use an organic, water-based extraction method and have run our products through multiple clinical trials to ensure that our customers get the best possible product for their money.
How long does it take for ashwagandha to work?
In the same way that metabolism can vary from person to person, the length of time it takes ashwagandha to work can vary depending on the individual.
It’s fairly common for people to notice some positive effects within a few days of starting to take ashwagandha. But, for others, any changes might not be obvious for a few weeks.
It’s important to remember that ashwagandha isn’t a quick fix and if you’re committed to seeing results, you should stick to a consistent dosage plan.
Always speak to your healthcare provider before you begin taking ashwagandha. They’ll be able to provide you with guidance on how much to take and how it might affect you personally.
Are there any risks or side effects associated with ashwagandha?
Fortunately, most of the evidence points to ashwagandha being generally safe to use with limited risks. That being said, there are some minor side effects that you might experience, including:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Stomach issues
Once again, it’s super important to talk to a healthcare professional before taking ashwagandha, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have an existing health condition.
Frequently asked questions
Is it ok to take ashwagandha long term?
For most people, ashwagandha should be safe to use long term. However, there hasn’t been enough research carried out to confidently state that continued use is safe for everyone. That’s why it’s best to always speak to your doctor before taking ashwagandha or any other supplement.
What are the risks of taking ashwagandha?
One of the main risks of taking ashwagandha is that it can interact with other medications. This can be extremely troublesome if you are taking medication for any serious health problems. If you’re unsure whether it’s safe to take ashwagandha with your existing medication, you should always speak to a doctor.
The other risks associated with ashwagandha are stomach problems, drowsiness, and headaches.
What is the best time to take ashwagandha?
You can take ashwagandha at whatever time of day is most convenient for you. Studies have shown that it’s still effective whether taken in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
While taking ashwagandha on an empty stomach doesn’t decrease its efficacy (as far as we currently know), it could lead to some stomach discomfort. Therefore, it’s preferable to try to time your ashwagandha dose with one of your daily meals.
Can you take ashwagandha gummies every day?
Yes, it’s actually preferable to take ashwagandha gummies every day if you want to see consistent results. Daily dosing is quick and easy with gummies, which are ready-to-go and easily portable.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.