Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41715115›Full record

ReviewNutrition & metabolism2026

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera): a comprehensive narrative review of its role in enhancing physical performance and health.

Hadi Nobari, Nazila Parnian-Khajehdizaj, Kelly Johnson, Juan José Ramos-Álvarez

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Nutrition & metabolism, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Hadi NobariLFE Research Group, Department of Health and Human Performance, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Science (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. hadi.nobari1@gmail.com.
Nazila Parnian-KhajehdizajDepartment of Physical Education and Sport, Institute of Health Science, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey.
Kelly JohnsonDepartment of Kinesiology, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC, 29528, USA.
Juan José Ramos-ÁlvarezSchool of Sports Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), commonly known as Indian ginseng or winter cherry, is a prominent adaptogenic herb recognized for its profound impact on physical performance and health. As an adaptogen, Ashwagandha stands out for its unique ability to restore system functions to normal, enhance the body’s resilience to stress, and elevate overall performance. This comprehensive narrative Review underscores the diverse health benefits of Ashwagandha, emphasizing its roles in immunomodulation, stress reduction, antioxidant effects, cardioprotection, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-cancer activities, neuroprotection, memory enhancement, cognitive function, physical performance, and sexual health improvement effects. With a rich phytochemical profile, including alkaloids and withanolides like Withaferin A, Ashwagandha showcases efficacy in mitigating stress-related markers, improving sleep quality, and regulating mitochondrial function. In addition to its anticancer potential against various types of cancer, Ashwagandha improves lipid profile and protects the heart from necrosis. Also, Ashwagandha has physical performance benefits, which indicate its potential to increase muscle strength, facilitate muscle regeneration, and improve cardiorespiratory endurance. This narrative review delves into the most recent findings and provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of Ashwagandha’s potential uses and effects on physical performance and health.

Indexed as

Anti-cancer activityAnti-inflammatory activityAnti-stressAshwagandhaCognitive functionPhysical performanceWithaferin aWithania somnifera

Identifiers

PMID41715115
PMCPMC13032348

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.