Benefits of ashwagandha for men

USA TODAY, Caleb Calhoun As economic and environmental factors have contributed to Others find that the food and nutrients they put into their bodies can be helpful. Foods like fish, whole grains, fruits, What is ashwagandha? Ashwagandha, also known as withania somnifera, Indian ginseng, or winter cherry, is an evergreen shrub found in India, the Middle East and parts of Africa. "It is mostly used in the form of a supplement − as a capsule, powder or liquid extract," says Uma Naidoo, MD, director of nutritional and lifestyle psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and the author of “ Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years and is praised in research from the What does ashwagandha do for the body? Some of the benefits that come from ingesting ashwagandha include "boosted energy levels, anxiety treatment, enhanced focus and reduced stress," says Josh Redd, NMD, the founder of RedRiver Health and Wellness and author of "The Truth About Low Thyroid." Indeed, ashwagandha has been classified as an adaptogen − a natural substance that helps the body cope with stress. Naidoo says ashwagandha may also aid those struggling with poor sleep, memory issues or arthritis; and it may also be helpful against type-2 diabetes because it helps lower blood sugar levels in people with insulin resistance. Zumpano says ashwagandha is also sometimes recommended to help men with testosterone levels or fertility issues, though supporting research is still ongoing. Ashwagandha side effe...