Summary:
In adults aged 19–65 years with elevated stress and excess body weight, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract 300 mg twice daily significantly reduced body weight, BMI, stress levels, food cravings, and improved quality of life compared to placebo (identical capsule taken twice daily), though it was associated with mild adverse events such as nausea, abdominal pain, and drowsiness.
| PICO | Description |
|---|---|
| Population | Adults aged 19–65 years experiencing elevated levels of psychological stress and excess body weight. |
| Intervention | Ashwagandha root extract (Withania somnifera), 300 mg administered twice daily for 24 weeks. |
| Comparison | Identical placebo administered twice daily for the same duration (24 weeks). |
| Outcome | Significant reduction in body weight (-8.46 ± 3.86 kg), BMI (-3.31 ± 1.57 kg/m²), stress (PSS), food cravings (FCQ-T), and improved quality of life (SF-12) and subjective satisfaction (SSS) compared to placebo (-2.41 ± 2.07 kg body weight and -0.93 ± 0.79 kg/m² BMI); mild adverse events were infrequent and self-limiting. |
Source: Ketan Pakhale, et al. “Efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract on stress and weight management in adults: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” Read article here.
