Published in Frontiers in Nutrition, the randomized clinical trial involving 84 adults (aged 25-50) indicated 300 mg/day of Ashwanova (known as Prolanza in some markets, produced by Nutriventia) led to a 2.1-fold improvement in bench press strength and a 1.5-fold improvement in cardiorespiratory endurance compared to placebo, with benefits seen from day 30 and sustained until day 90.
The researchers from Nutriventia noted this is the first trial to evaluate the extract for these benefits in active adults.
“Adults taking Ashwanova daily showed a clear, statistically significant separation from the placebo group on both muscle strength and cardiorespiratory endurance,” said Rajat Mittal Shah, co-founder and executive director at Nutriventia. “This consistency across the full duration, rather than a short-lived early effect, is one of the more reassuring aspects of the data.”
Alongside physical performance, the team reported a meaningful, statistically significant improvement in self-reported quality of life (QoL). The mental health component showed a 2.6-fold greater improvement in emotional well-being and calmness in the intervention group compared to placebo.
The team also looked closely at hormonal levels, given that intensive strength training can influence these.
“Given the intensity of the resistance training protocol used in the study, we assessed testosterone as part of physiological picture,” said Shah. “Levels in participants taking Ashwanova remained within normal physiological reference ranges throughout the study, in both men and women.”
He added: “This speaks to the adaptogenic character of the ingredient: supporting the body’s response to physical stress without pushing hormone levels outside a healthy range.”
The study builds on Nutriventia’s earlier study on this formulation which investigated its benefits for stress and cognitive support at a lower daily dose.
Noting the wider regulatory uncertainty and safety questions circling ashwagandha in Europe and India, Shah said the new study provides important formulation-specific evidence.
“This trial enrolled a general population of recreationally active, healthy adults, not elite athletes or clinical patients, so the findings speak to a broad and representative user base,” he added.
Methodology
This single-center, parallel group clinical trial was conducted at Rajalakshmi Hospital and Research Center, India. Eligible participants included gym going men and non-pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) between 25.0 and <29.9 kg/m2.
Of the 87 participants screened, 84 eligible participants were enrolled and randomized to either sustained release ashwagandha (AshwaSR, n = 42) or placebo (n = 42) groups. A total of 83 participants (53 men and 30 women) completed the study.
Assessments were conducted at baseline, and days 30, 60, and 91. Muscle strength was assessed using the 1-RM, defined as the maximum weight an individual can lift for a single repetition of a given exercise, using the bench press exercise.
Cardiorespiratory endurance was assessed by estimating VO2max and health-related QoL was evaluated using the SF-12, a standardized, validated and self-reported questionnaire.
Serum creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were assessed as markers of exercise-induced muscle damage and recovery. Blood samples were collected at 30 min, 24 h, and 48 h post-exercise at baseline and at the end of the study. Additionally, serum testosterone levels were measured at baseline and at the end of the trial.
Resulting data indicated, AshwaSR was associated with significant improvements in mental and physical quality of life compared with placebo. Serum results indicated the intervention may have reduced post-exercise muscle damage, with more favorable changes in CK and LDH levels than placebo, but none of the differences reached statistical significance.
A total of 16 participants reported adverse events during the study. Of these, six were reported by by the intervention group while 10 were reported by the placebo group.
Limitations of the study include the population of only recreationally active healthy adults with a specific BMI, the relatively modest sample size, and the single-center study design.
The researchers suggested future studies should investigate mechanistic biomarkers related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and cortisol regulation, along with body composition imaging.
Source: Frontiers in Nutrition, https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2026.1919322 “Efficacy and safety of a sustained release ashwagandha root extract capsules on muscle strength and cardiorespiratory endurance in recreationally active individuals: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial“, Thanawala, S., et al
