8 Incredible Ashwagandha Benefits for Men
Like women, men are also conscious beings. Age is something they secretly dread.
Entering andropause, a.k.a ‘male menopause’ can cause a drop in testosterone levels, which results to bodily functions that rely on it to go haywire.
Luckily, Ashwagandha has benefits for men that can counteract some of the effects of aging. It helps restore proper hormone functions and improve the quality of life.
Below is a list of the top 8 Ashwagandha benefits for men.
8 Ashwagandha Benefits for Men
#1: Hormone Balancing In Men
Testosterone controls the sex drive. It allows men to put on more muscle when exercising.
This has an effect on fat distribution. It influences sperm production, red blood cell count, and more.
As we age, testosterone levels decrease. The loss of this essential hormone leads to several adverse effects for men.
Preliminary tests with Ashwagandha show that it can boost testosterone. Researchers ran these tests on infertile men and men who were undergoing strength training.
#2: Supports Male Fertility
As a man’s age goes up, fertility goes down. Ayurveda practitioners have used Ashwagandha to support male fertility for years. Scientific inquiry now backs these traditional beliefs.
The Clinical Evaluation Of The Spermatogenic Activity Of The Root Extract Of Ashwagandha is one of the most comprehensive studies on the matter to date.
According to this study, the use of Ashwagandha resulted in “improved semen parameters” that increased fertility.
They noted that men who take Ashwagandha had a greater concentration of sperm. They also concluded that the sperm was more mobile, making it more capable of fertilizing eggs.
Moreover, another study showed that Ashwagandha powder benefits men. The study concluded that the anxiety reduction brought about by Ashwagandha did wonders for improving overall sperm quality, and, by extension, fertility levels of participants.
#3: Increased Energy Levels
The clarity of mind brought about by Ashwagandha’s mood enhancing properties increases motivation. This leads users to report greater levels of motivation and desire to carry out day-to-day activities.
Reducing stress levels has a net positive effect on the body’s endocrine system. The balance reduces energy slumps throughout the day and crashes that can occur post-workout.
Researchers have also linked Ashwagandha to increased levels of physical performance. Untrained individuals who received regular doses of Ashwagandha experienced increases in muscular strength.
By increasing the ability to work out, Ashwagandha has benefits for weight loss in men as well.
In elite athletes, Ashwagandha increased their maximum oxygen levels and decreased their fatigue.
#4: Improved Sexual Health
Of the classic Ashwagandha benefits for men in Hindi, proponents believe it can combat these maladies. Ayurveda practitioners reason that the root balances the body and mind creating conditions for improved performance.
At least one study has shown that Ashwagandha can improve sexual functioning in lab rats. Another concluded that the anti-stress properties could benefit as a sexual enhancer in humans as well.
#5: Prostate Cancer Treatment
Evidence suggests that Ashwagandha could regulate prostate cancer cells.
Scientists hypothesized that the flavonoids, alkaloids, and lactones in Ashwagandha could make it an anti-carcinogen.
One trial showed that Ashwagandha treatment “significantly inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner.”
They don’t completely understand all of the mechanisms. They are confident, though, that Ashwagandha regulates genes that are responsible for cancerous growths.
This method made use of an alcohol-based extract.
Researchers will need to conduct further studies to learn more about the root’s efficacy in combating prostate cancer in humans and finding the correct Ashwagandha dosage to do so. It is feasible, though, that it could be used to regulate cancer in at-risk males.
#6: Combats Cognitive Decline
As men age, mental alertness can decrease. In particular, the ability to recall details fade.
Though the methods are unknown, researchers have found that Ashwagandha extract may be able to improve memory.
One study, Protective Role Of Ashwagandha Leaf Extract And Its Component Withanone On Scopolamine-Induced Changes In The Brain And Brain-Derived Cells, found that it could combat scopolamine-induced memory loss accordingly.
A follow-up study found that an alcohol-based extract made from dried Ashwagandha leaves had an effect on acetylcholine levels in the brain.
The change in acetylcholine counteracted the effects of the induced memory loss. This led researchers to conclude that Ashwagandha may have practical use as a defense against age and stress related memory and cognitive issues.
They will have to test the effects on humans to gather more data. Current results, though, are promising and lend credence to many traditional claims about the plant.
#7: Counteracts Alcohol Addiction
Alcoholism is not an exclusively male problem. Statistical data, though, shows that it affects men more than women.
Of the 16.3 million adults in the United States with a drinking problem, more than half (10.6 million) are men.
Studies with Ashwagandha extract show that it could have anti-addictive qualities. These may lead to natural treatments for men looking to combat alcohol-related issues.
The study, Effect Of Withania Somnifera And Shilajit On Alcohol Addiction In Mice, looked at how these compounds influenced withdrawal symptoms and dependency.
Both in conjunction and on their own, the plants had a noticeable impact. They reduced the test rodent’s total alcohol consumption.
Moreover, they also curbed the typical symptoms associated with withdrawal.
The plants targeted neurotransmitters in the brain. This, in turn, reduced alcohol’s negative effects on the test rodent’s minds.
It is probable that they could also use the treatment in human males. The next step would be to attempt the tests with human participants.
#8: Slows Down The Aging Process
Researches show that Ashwagandha contains concentrations of catechins and antioxidants. These compounds could have effects on conditions that diminish the quality of life as we age.
Antioxidants have a potential influence on atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. They may also improve longevity in humans.
The antioxidant theory of aging posits that there might be a relationship between prooxidants and certain aging factors and that antioxidants could combat these.
Conclusion
Available evidence shows that there are plenty of practical Ashwagandha benefits for men, along with a few possible ones that need a bit more study to further understand how they work.
With the value of complementary alternative medicines like Ashwagandha, it’s safe to say that researchers will be able to reveal more of the plant’s secrets in the coming years.
What do you think of these?
Have you used Ashwagandha and experienced any of the positive effects? Do you suspect that some of the uses are overblown?
Let us know what you think in the comments. Your feedbacks are welcome!
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