Find out which supplements actually work and which to stay away from, according to science.
Why Take Ashwagandha?
Is the fast pace of modern life leaving you stressed and drained? It's time to naturally restore your energy and find calm. Ashwagandha, an ancient medicinal herb, is gaining recognition for its potential in addressing stress-related health issues.
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen that aids the body in managing stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation, and enhancing mental well-being. It can also boost energy levels by improving the body's stress response, combating fatigue, and enhancing overall vitality.
However, not all Ashwagandha supplements are equal, so finding the right product is essential to ensure high effectiveness and safety. Poor-quality products may not provide the intended benefits and could have adverse effects.
The Beneficial Qualities of Ashwagandha
Over the years, Ashwagandha has gained recognition for its diverse health benefits. Research shows that its adaptogenic properties effectively help decrease stress and anxiety over time [1]. Additionally, you get a powerful energy boost by fueling the immune system with Ashwagandha.
Research also highlights Ashwagandha's role in enhancing cognitive performance, particularly endurance and mental clarity [2]. For women, it helps balance hormones, easing mood swings and regulating menstrual cycles.
Ashwagandha is rich in antioxidants, which protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals [3]. This versatile remedy helps improve your cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being.
Why Choose High-Quality Ashwagandha?
Using high-quality Ashwagandha unveils a spectrum of mental, physical, and emotional benefits. With the right supplement, it can take just 2-3 weeks to notice changes and experience its full potential.
Stress Reduction
Ashwagandha's adaptogenic properties can help reduce levels of stress and anxiety as well as improve resistance to stressors [4]. Many people reported a significant reduction in stress within a couple of weeks.
Improved Energy
Studies show that Ashwagandha can positively influence cognitive function by supporting nerve cells and enhancing concentration and memory [5]. It can also improve physical performance, including strength and recovery [6].
Immune System Support
While Ashwagandha doesn't directly boost the immune system, its stress-reducing effects may lead to improved immune function over a period of several weeks to a few months.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Ashwagandha's potential anti-inflammatory benefits may become more apparent over the course of a couple of months. It may contribute to a reduction in inflammation within the body.
Physical and Cognitive Performance
Studies show that Ashwagandha can positively influence cognitive function by supporting nerve cells and enhancing concentration and memory [5]. It can also improve physical performance, including strength and recovery [6].
Hormonal Balance
For women, Ashwagandha's effects on hormonal balance may become evident after several months of consistent use. This can lead to improvements in menstrual regularity and overall hormonal health.
Anti-Aging Properties
Ashwagandha's antioxidant properties provide cellular protection, with documented proof that it reduces the levels of free radicals [3]. This helps mitigate visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fine lines.
What To Look For in Quality Ashwagandha?
Choosing the right Ashwagandha supplement is crucial because opting for a subpar product can lead to adverse effects like an upset stomach, nausea, or drowsiness [7]. Here are the key factors to consider to find the best Ashwagandha supplement for you:
High Withanolides Content
Ashwagandha supplements made from the root are most potent. Ensure the product specifies root extract and high withanolide content for the best results in quality sleep, energy regulation, and insomnia prevention [8].
Absorption Enhancement
Some Ashwagandha supplements include black pepper extract (piperine), which can enhance the absorption of the herb. This can be a beneficial feature to look for.
Third-Party Testing
To guarantee purity and the absence of contaminants, choose supplements that have undergone third-party testing. Such products often display seals or certificates from testing organizations.
Dosage and Serving Size
Consider the dosage of the supplement. Ashwagandha supplements come in various serving sizes, typically ranging from 600 mg to 1300 mg. Select a dosage that aligns with your specific health needs and any recommendations from your healthcare professional.
Medical Endorsements and Certifications
Some products have endorsements or certifications from healthcare professionals or organizations. These can be positive indicators of quality.
User Reviews and Recommendations
Reading user reviews and seeking recommendations from healthcare professionals can provide insights into the product's efficacy and safety.
Money-back Guarantee
All reputable providers confident in their supplement's potency and quality will offer a money-back guarantee for their products. Seek out brands that ensure you can try out their products risk-free.
What Should I Avoid?
Poor Formulation & Doses
A poor formulation for an Ashwagandha supplement may involve low Withanolides content, inadequate dosage, use of whole plant parts, lack of absorption enhancers, absence of third-party testing, unclear dosage instructions, and unrecognizable brands, potentially compromising its quality and effectiveness.
Fraudulent Reviews
Watch out for product listings on Amazon and other marketplaces. Reviews can sometimes be fake or bought to increase brand visibility. Make sure you research brands and find out if they have trustworthy-looking websites and produce their products in the USA.
How We Assessed the Top 5 Supplements
Each of our reviews go through a strict analysis and comparison test. We study the ingredients, effectiveness and manufacturing to understand the quality of the product. Furthermore, we evaluate customer reviews, value for money and customer service to protect readers from negative buying experiences.
EFFECTIVENESS
INGREDIENTS
VALUE FOR MONEY
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Total Ranking
Pros
Cons
Based on our internal research, BioVitals Ashwagandha supplements have shown outstanding performance in the key criteria utilized for evaluation.
BioVitals Ashwagandha stands out for several key features. First and foremost, it offers a potent Ashwagandha root extract, enhanced with Black Pepper for optimal absorption, ensuring each capsule delivers powerful results.
BioVitals offers 1300 mg of Ashwagandha per serving which is an optimal dose of Ashwagandha to ensure the best results.
What sets BioVitals Ashwagandha apart is its commitment to quality and safety, and it's proudly American-made. The product holds FDA and GMP certifications, offering assurance to its users.
Furthermore, BioVitals caters to customer convenience with a subscription option, ensuring you never run out of this essential supplement.
BioVitals strongly believes in its product's effectiveness and offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're not satisfied with the results, simply contact the brand for a full refund.
Total Ranking
Pros
Cons
According to our internal research, NOW Ashwagandha takes the second spot on our list. This brand enjoys a solid reputation, but its true potential is limited by the relatively low Ashwagandha concentration, providing just 450mg per serving.
NOW Ashwagandha is distinct in that it offers a combination of leaf and root-derived Ashwagandha, although this is often regarded as a less powerful option.
Based on our thorough research, NOW Ashwagandha offers certain advantages, such as good value and suitability for vegetarians. However, it falls short in terms of potency due to its modest dosage.
Total Ranking
Pros
Cons
Ashwagandha Plus by Life Extension received the third spot on our list. According to our internal evaluations, we found that this product comes with significant benefits, is gluten-free and suitable for vegetarians.
That being said, multiple customers also experienced adverse reactions. Diabetics claimed that the Maltodextrin found in the ingredient list caused a blood sugar spike, while others reported stool irregularities.
Moreover, the Ashwagandha content in these supplements is relatively modest, at just 125mg. Coupled with the absence of complementary ingredients, the overall potency of this supplement appears to be limited.
Total Ranking
Pros
Cons
In our internal evaluation, Nature Made Ashwagandha occupies the fourth position. It’s vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and made from only natural ingredients.
Despite the brand's reputation, it's essential to highlight that the supplements combine leaf and root-sourced Ashwagandha, which is generally considered lower medical grade.
Additionally, the dosage provided by this product is notably low, at just 125 mg per serving.
As a result, it gets a lower position in our internal evaluation because of its lower dosage and lower-quality Ashwagandha compared to other brands.
Total Ranking
Pros
Cons
Number five on our list is Essential Elements Aw Ashwagandha. It has an exceptionally high dosage of 1950 mg of Ashwagandha per serving.
That being said, customers have raised concerns about its potency and side effects. Multiple reviews on Amazon reported vomiting and diarrhea after consumption of these supplements.
In general, Essential Elements incorporate a significant amount of Ashwagandha along with black pepper to improve absorption. Nonetheless, this elevated Ashwagandha concentration may lead to severe adverse reactions in specific individuals.
The Top Ashwagandha Supplement of 2024
In conclusion, our internal research highlights BioVitals Ashwagandha as a standout performer.
It delivers potent Ashwagandha with optimal absorption, a substantial 1300 mg per serving, and maintains FDA and GMP certifications for quality and safety.
Offering a convenient subscription option and a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, BioVitals demonstrates its commitment to effectiveness, convenience, and customer satisfaction.
Final Thougths
Ashwagandha is a natural pathway to relaxation, powering up your body, and reclaiming a calm mind. Choosing the right supplement will help you unfold the magic of Ashwagandha in just a few weeks.
We extensively research numerous brands with the help of our medical experts to find the most potent product for your needs. Our evaluations show that BioVitals is the best top-notch 5-star Ashwagandha supplement. It features high-quality and third-party lab-tested ingredients, robust formulas, and a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.
BioVitals's confidence in their product and its potency shines through a whopping 30-day money-back guarantee, enabling risk-free trials. Their commitment to quality is also reflected in their minimal product return rates.
References
Salve, J., Pate, S., Debnath, K., & Langade, D. (2019). Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus, 11(12), e6466.
Gopukumar, K., Thanawala, S., Somepalli, V., Rao, T. S. S., Thamatam, V. B., & Chauhan, S. (2021). Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract on Cognitive Functions in Healthy, Stressed Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2021, 8254344.