With the pandemic giving no signs of abating, and many of us still living restricted and more anxious lifestyles, we're suffering from increased stress, decreased socialisation and healthy coping mechanisms, and a general cloud of uncertainty. People have been turning to supplements to help manage this 'new normal,' which is so far beyond anything we're used to handling that it's difficult to get our heads around it. One of the most popular supplements to have emerged are Aswagandah gummies, seemingly an all-in-one magic cure for everything from chronic anxiety and insomnia to fatigue, weight management, and immunity. And for the most part, it all seems to be true! 

We're taking a deep dive into Ashwagandha and Ashwagandha gummies so you can decide whether they're right for you. Let's jump in!

A Long History...

This small shrub adorned with bright yellow flowers is native to India and North Africa, where extracts from its roots and leaves have long been used to treat a variety of conditions. In fact, Ashwagandha has been used for over three millennia as a medicinal plant, and it's one of the core elements in Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient and holistic practice originating in India. Many of its health benefits are attributed to the high concentration of withanolides Ashwagandha contains, which have been shown to combat inflammation and tumour growth. It's also adaptogenic, meaning that it helps your body naturally adapt to stress and its effects. 

... And A Bright Future

Ashwagandha has been heavily studied over the last decades. It's been shown to have many and varied benefits which justify its long-standing status as a medicinal wonder-herb. These include:

• Managing blood sugar
• Lowering cholesterol
• Reducing inflammation
• Lowering cortisol levels
• Reducing symptoms of stress, anxiety, or depression
• Boosting libido
• Increasing muscle mass and physical performance
• Improving brain function and memory
• Potential anti-cancer properties

Above and beyond all this, it's safe for most people to use! This means that Ashwagandha is guaranteed a place in the future of natural, holistic, and mainstream medicine for millennia to come. 

5 Science-Backed Benefits of Ashwagandha Gummies

As noted above, Ashwagandha has many benefits, but let's focus on five of the main science-backed benefits of Ashwagandha supplements so you know what you're getting into. 

Improved Immunity

Many studies have demonstrated the impact of Ashwagandha on immunity. This one showed the impact of the plant on the body's natural killer cells, boosting their activity, while this one highlighted Ashwagandha's ability to transform and improve your immune profile before and after infection. 

Less Stress

While Ashwagandha has been used to treat stress for thousands of years, modern studies keep demonstrating its powerful effects. This study showed that, over two months, Ashwagandha supplements reduced stress and insomnia in subjects with a history of chronic stress. This may be because Ashwagandha acts on cortisol levels, reducing them and therefore reducing the symptoms of chronic stress and anxiety. 

Sweeter Dreams

As well as the study above which confirmed that Ashwagandha reduces insomnia, this newer study showed that Ashwagandha supplements taken over six weeks improved sleep in the majority of participants. Better sleep definitely means a better day! 

Weight Goals

By acting on cortisol levels, Ashwagandha is able to positively impact our weight management. Cortisol, released during stress responses and elevated during times of chronic stress, can increase sugar cravings and cause weight gain and fat storage. This study found that subjects treated with Ashwagandha had significantly reduced cortisol levels, food cravings, and weight.  

Peak Performance

Multiple studies support Ashwagandha's impact on strength, muscle mass, and performance. This study on healthy male subjects found that Ashwagandha supplements increased muscle mass, decreased body fat, and increased muscle strength so that physical performance was visibly improved.  This one found that daily Ashwagandha supplements increased muscle strength after 30 days, and this one showed improved speed, strength, and coordination in participants.