Arjuna flags ashwagandha’s immunity applications following low dosage study

19 Oct 2021 --- A new study has revealed Arjuna Natural’s Shoden ashwagandha extract can benefit the immune system at low dosage, beyond the anxiety and stress mitigating effects it has been known for.

According to the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, participants who were given 60 mg of the Shoden ashwagandha extract for 30 days had a significant increase in immunoglobulin, cytokines, as well as in the T cells, B cells and natural killer cells, which are used by the body to attack and destroy invading organisms. 

“These findings are significant for the industry. For a formulator who looks to pack more punch to their product, the low dosage and proven efficacy is a real boon,” joint managing director at Arjuna, Dr. Benny Antony, tells NutritionInsight.

Researchers involved in the study suggest the ashwagandha extract can help contribute to “boosting the immune system of people at risk of infection and during widespread infections.”Known for mitigating stress and anxiety, ashwagandha has been touted as a potential tool against COVID-19. 

Boosting mind and immunity
The plant has been growing in popularity as a mood-booster and is increasingly being used more in soft drinks, botanical beverages and energy shots. 

Interest in mood has been noted by Innova Market Insights as a Top Trend for 2021, as mental health concerns heighted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic have garnered increased attention. 

The findings of the study, however, can allow the product to be utilized for immunity-boosting purposes, which can expand its usages across consumers and the industry, Antony notes.

“Within the ashwagandha space, the competing products have significantly less level of activity, low levels of standardization, questionable or poor analytical methods and are not studied for immunity. Effectively, these factors have held back the usage of this herb in this space.”The findings of the study are broadening the scope for ashwagandha’s uses.

Challenges to industry
Brands offering ashwagandha often face the hurdle of providing proven efficacy dosages within the limited space available in a serving, Antony notes.

“The brands are faced with the challenge of finding space to pack everything in a serving. This often results in ‘namesake’ dosages in a serving, which consumers do not like,” he adds. 

“The challenge for the brands has been to find trustable proven ingredients that have dosages low enough to satisfy the consumer demand for products with a range of natural immunity-supporting ingredients in proven dosages.” 

As a result, this has limited the usage of ashwagandha in a meaningful way. However, the results of the study encompassing the low dosage and immunity-supporting effects “have proven that the best of both worlds is possible,” Antony says.

Shoden has been marketed as the lowest dose ashwagandha extract with the highest potency since its 2019 launch between US-based specialty ingredients supplier NutriScience Innovations and Arjuna Natural. 

Research carried out last year revealed that natural compounds from ashwagandha and propolis could potentially be used as a tool against COVID-19, highlighting the benefits of the plant. 

By Andria Kades