May benefit athletic performance

Ashwagandha has been found in studies to improve athletic performance and may be a good supplement for athletes. One study involved 12 men and women who took ashwagandha doses ranging from 120 mg to 1,250 mg per day. The findings imply that the plant may improve physical performance, such as strength and oxygen utilization during exercise. An examination of five research revealed that ashwagandha significantly increased maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) in healthy adults and athletes.

The maximum amount of oxygen a person can consume during strenuous exertion is referred to as VO2 max. It is a test of heart and lung fitness. Athletes and nonathletes alike must have an optimal VO2 max. Low VO2 max is linked to an increased risk of death, whereas high VO2 max is linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Furthermore, ashwagandha may aid in muscle strength. In one study, male volunteers who took 600 mg of ashwagandha per day and did resistance training for 8 weeks gained much more muscle strength and growth than a placebo group.