Ashwagandha vs. Rhodiola: Which Adaptogen Is Best for Stress?

Do you feel stressed due to your work? Is your energy drained by the end of the day, leaving you exhausted? Well, in all scenarios, adaptogens like Ashwagandha and Rhodiola can be a great help. If you wonder which adaptogen in Ashwagandha vs. Rhodiola works best for stress, keep reading!

What is Ashwagandha? 

Ashwagandha, also known as Withania somnifera, is an evergreen shrub that's found in Asia and Africa. It's called the King of Ayurvedic herbs and is used to reduce stress and anxiety. Here's an overview of the nutritional value of Ashwagandha: 

• Energy: 245 Kcal
• Carbohydrate: 49.9 g
• Dietary Fibre: 32.3 g
• Protein: 3.9 g
• Iron: 3.3 mg
• Calcium: 23 mg
• Vitamin C: 3.7 mg
• Tyrosol: Not Present 
• Flavonoids: Not Present 

Key Benefits of Ashwagandha 

The health benefits of Ashwagandha are numerous, ranging from lowering stress to boosting immunity. Let's discuss them in detail: 

• Reduce Stress: Ashwagandha is an adaptogen and helps your body cope with stress. It controls mediators of stress such as heat shock proteins (Hsp70), cortisol, and stress-activated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK-1). Studies show that people who took 250 mg and 600 mg of Ashwagandha for 8 weeks showed low levels of stress and cortisol. 
• Balance Hormones: Ashwagandha balances hormones in your body by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis. As a result, you may experience better menstrual cycle regulation and other reproductive hormones.
• Better Sleep Quality: If you are someone who struggles with sleep, Ashwagandha is a good natural supplement. It influences the GABAergic activity in the brain and helps you sleep faster and longer. One study highlights that 80 participants who took Ashwagandha for 8 weeks showed improvements in sleep, especially those suffering from insomnia. 

What is Rhodiola? 

Rhodiola, also known as Rhodiola rosea, is a flowering plant that is present in the cold regions of Europe and Asia. This adaptogen has a long history of being used in traditional medicines and also increases physical endurance. Here's an overview of the nutritional value of Rhodiola: 

• Energy: Not Specified
• Carbohydrate: ~4% - 5%
• Dietary Fibre: ~0.3% - 0.5%
• Protein: ~1%
• Iron: Not Specified
• Calcium: Not Specified
• Vitamin C: Not Specified
• Tyrosol: ~0.1%
• Flavonoids: 0.5% - 1%

Key Benefits of Rhodiola

In Ashwagandha vs. Rhodiola, the latter also offers you many health benefits, including reduced mental fatigue and enhanced physical endurance. Let's discuss them in detail: 

• Reduced Mental Fatigue: Waking up with mental fatigue every day can greatly impact the quality of your life. However, since Rhodiola is an adaptogen, it prepares you for combating stress and fatigue. A study shows that 100 people with chronic fatigue symptoms received 400 mg of Rhodiola for 8 weeks. They reported improvements in their fatigue and overall quality of life. 
• Better Physical Endurance: As you enjoy low stress and fatigue levels with Rhodiola usage, it leads to better physical endurance. It has an energy-replenishing effect that boosts strength in athletes and stimulates anabolic processes in skeletal muscles. Therefore, you can engage in your favourite activity for longer hours. 
• Manage Diabetes: If you are diabetic, you can rely on Rhodiola to manage your symptoms. It lowers your blood glucose levels, improves insulin sensitivity, and reduces inflammation. Thus, it improves the activity of your gut microbiome, managing symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes. 

Ashwagandha vs. Rhodiola: Main Difference 

In Ashwagandha vs. Rhodiola, Ashwagandha manages stress by lowering cortisol levels, while Rhodiola does that without any hormonal disruption. Rhodiola is better for those who need energy and focus, and Ashwagandha is better for those who look for relaxation. 

Conclusion 

It doesn't matter which one you choose in Ashwagandha vs. Rhodiola; finding a quality business to get these extracts can be quite challenging. That's where HealthEssent helps you! Our supplements follow GMP standards and have no additives, making them safe. Get our product and sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest updates and discounts!