0 commentaires
To reduce fatigue, optimize sports performance or boost libido, ashwagandha has been used for 3000 years, according to writings. Popular in alternative medicine, it is becoming more popular in the world of sport thanks to its many virtues.
What is ashwagandha?
Native to India, ashwagandha is part of the Solanaceae family. With its scientific name whitania somnifera, it is an adaptogenic plant with multiple virtues. In traditional Indian medicine, it is considered a medicinal plant. It is recognizable by its size (between 40 and 70 cm), its oval leaves, its white flowers and its red fruits.
It is often associated with Indian Ginseng, its properties being very similar to ashwagandha. The roots of this plant are isolated to reduce them to powder which is found commercially.
It is intended for people who wish to increase their immune defenses, reduce their stress, improve their sleep or increase their sports performance. Both sedentary people and athletes can use it according to their needs.
What is ashwagandha made of?
Ashwagandha has a very rich composition of nutrients and active ingredients. In particular, we find:
- Flavonoids (including catechin and kaempferol), secondary metabolites that act as powerful antioxidants
- Alkaloids (whitanine, somniferine, tropine, anaferine, andanahydrine)
- Sitoindosides and withanolides whose role is to reduce oxidative stress at the brain level by producing antioxidants. In this way, neurons are preserved.
The withanolides present in ashwagandha are highly prized. They are the most interesting active ingredients with the most benefits.
Most ashwagandha supplements contain 5% withanolides. The more there are, the more effective the supplement. At Nutrimuscle, our ashwagandha contains 35% withanolides, one of the most concentrated on the market.
- Phenolic acids such as gallic, vanillic, coumaric, benzoic, syringic acids
- Fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linoleic)
- Free amino acids (aspartic and glutamic acid, glycine, tyrosine, alanine, cystine, proline and tryptophan)
- Iron, potassium nitrate, glucose and tannins.
What are the health benefits of ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha has many virtues, both for the body and the mind.
-
Protection and preservation of the immune system
The antioxidants present in ashwagandha help reduce the effects of oxidative stress on the brain. In addition, this plant promotes the production of antioxidant enzymes in the cerebral cortex. It improves cognitive abilities and delays the degeneration of cells and tissues in the body. It therefore helps prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.
-
Protection of the body against diseases
The benefits of ashwagandha are numerous. It has an anti-inflammatory action that helps fight against joint diseases and inflammatory pain but also helps promote a healthy scalp . Its antioxidant properties allow the elimination of free radicals in the body.
This plant is recognized as an anti-aging agent because it helps slow down cellular aging, but not only that. Indeed, withaferin A present in ashwagandha helps slow down the multiplication of cancer cells and metastases. This plant is already used in certain treatments, particularly against breast cancer.
-
Improved concentration, sleep, and reduced stress
Ashwagandha is a so-called adaptogenic plant , which means that it adapts and responds to any form of stress. It prevents damage to the brain system and helps increase concentration. It is therefore the ideal ally for students during exams. More generally, ashwagandha helps reduce stress, whether temporary or in the form of anxiety.
In addition, it is recommended to consume ashwagandha in the evening because this plant has soporific effects. Sleep is of better quality because this plant acts on sleep disorders and insomnia. It acts in the long term on the quality of sleep by targeting the sources responsible for fatigue.
Ashwagandha is therefore not similar to sleeping pills. In fact, the latter do not guarantee restful sleep in the long term because they are addictive.
-
Increased fertility and libido
The adaptogenic properties of ashwagandha help reduce stress throughout the body. It is a plant known for its aphrodisiac properties coming from the plant. According to several studies, ashwagandha improves sperm quality and increases libido. However, it is important to respect the dosage or you may get reverse effects.
-
Hormone regulation
Some studies demonstrate the effects of ashwagandha on hypothyroidism problems, but also periods that are too heavy, too painful or absent. It would also alleviate the symptoms of menopause.
What are the benefits of ashwagandha in sport?
Ashwagandha increases energy levels, which is why many athletes use it. It is also very effective for people who are sedentary or who do not regularly practice sports activity. In bodybuilding, ashwagandha improves strength, balance, power and muscle mass. It helps release ATP levels, making it the ideal ally for strength, power and endurance exercises.
Ashwagandha helps reduce post-workout inflammation and oxidative stress by minimizing the negative effects of free radicals. Recovery is therefore optimized: less muscle fatigue and less muscle soreness.
