Ashwagandha extract eyed for sports nutrition market after study reveals endurance benefits

20 Jul 2022 --- A clinical study unveils daily Ashwagandha extract consumption may benefit energy and endurance levels in males. Conducted by India-based Manipal Natural, the study focuses on the company’s Asvaman product, drawn from Ashwagandha – also known as Withania somnifera – extracts. 

“Ashwagandha is increasingly becoming one of the most popular herbal supplements worldwide, and it is no surprise given its remarkable health benefits. The study positions Ashwagandha as strongly recommended for chronic fatigue syndrome or energy supplements,” Dr. Hebbani Nagarajappa Shivaprasad, managing director at Manipal Natural, tells NutritionInsight.

“Especially post COVID-19, many people complain that fatigue is a normal part of the body’s response to fighting a viral infection,” he adds.

Energy boosting effectsWhen compared to the placebo group, Asvaman showed increased levels in energy and endurance.
The participants consisted of healthy males between 18 to 50 years old. They were given either a daily dose of 300 mg of Asvaman or a placebo for 42 days. A six-minute walking test, standing on one leg, stairs climbing, and chair standing tests were conducted throughout the testing period to measure endurance and energy levels. 

“Overall, the results of this study have demonstrated statistically and clinically significant efficacy for the treatment group subjects supplemented with Asvaman – Ashwagandha extract – when compared to placebo,” says Shivaprasad.

“Taken together, the primary and secondary efficacy parameters from this study make a strong argument that Asvaman could provide comparable improvement in energy level and endurance over placebo,” he concludes.

Herbs as medicine
According to Shivaprasad, Ashwagandha is not well known among the general population yet, although interest is spiking among health nutrition enthusiasts. Social media activity on ashwagandha increased last year compared to the year before, mainly in Europe, Germany and the UK. 

“We look forward to expanding ashwagandha extract to the market segment of F&B and sports nutrition,” says Shivaprasad.

Ashwagandha is usually used in alternative medicine and has shown many health benefits in ayurvedic practices. One of those is immune-boosting effects when consumed in a low dose.

Being one of the oldest medical systems in the world, ayurvedic focuses on gut health as "the basis of health" with treatments involving herbs. Although “dietary directives play a role as well,” an industry player previously mentioned.

By Beatrice Wihlander