How to Choose the Best Ginseng Supplement

There is a specific branch of the supplement industry that specialises in enhancing physical and mental performance. These supplements are thought to improve cognitive function, facilitate learning, all while simultaneously increasing athletic performance and general health and wellbeing.

I know what your thinking – it sounds to good to be true right?

And to some degree, you are correct – safe and effective supplements that actually meet these lofty claims are few and far between – which explains why ginseng is such an incredibly popular product.

What is Ginseng?

Ginseng is a short plant with extremely fleshy roots that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. In this setting it was thought to promote fertility and longevity, treat digestive issues, and enhance nearly all aspects of health.

While there are actually many different types of ginseng, with the two most commonly used within the supplement industry are American and Chinese Ginseng, as these contain the key active compounds that give ginseng its health boosting properties (known as ginsenosides and gintonin).

In modern day ginseng has been touted as a panacea, where it is often suggested to improve cognition and mood, enhance performance, increase immunity, and even protect against cancer – but does it really work?

What are the Benefits of Ginseng?

Given the incredible amount of support that this particular plant receives on a near daily basis, we wanted to take an objective look at the research to determine where it offers us the most merit (and where it may not).

Does Ginseng Reduce Inflammation?

First and foremost, ginseng has been shown to exhibit both potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. With this in mind, the consumption of ginseng on a regular basis has been shown to significantly reduce inflammation within the body ^[1].

As a result, ginseng supplementation may reduce the risk of developing inflammatory disease, while also enhancing general health and function in a big way.

Does Ginseng Boost Cognitive Function?

Ginseng is often suggested to improve mental clarity, thinking capabilities, and general cognitive function. Interestingly, there is an abundance of recent research demonstrating that this is indeed the case.

You see, the key compounds found in ginseng (mentioned above) have been shown to protect the brain from oxidative damage caused by harmful free radicals.

If we combine this with the anti-inflammatory action that ginseng exhibits in the brain, then we have a recipe for success, with its supplementation demonstrating enhanced cognitive function and reduced mental fatigue ^[2].

Does Ginseng Improve Erectile Dysfunction?

Ginseng has long been suggested to enhance fertility, and new research looking into its impact on erectile dysfunction is suggesting that this may indeed be the case. You see, the key compounds within ginseng have been shown to enhance the health of the blood vessels within the penis, improving blood flow and their ability to function.

With this in mind, the daily supplementation of ginseng has been shown to cause significant improvements in diagnosed erectile dysfunction after as little as 8 weeks ^[3].

Does Ginseng Boos the Immune System?

There is evidence to suggest the daily supplementation of ginseng may also enhance the ability of the immune system to function.

Its hypothesised that by reducing harmful inflammation, ginseng reduces the global load placed on the immune system. In doing so, it allows it to ‘focus’ its attention (for lack of a better word) on those key invading organisms that may lead to disease and sickness, thus increasing its ability to fight off these harmful pathogens ^[4].

Does Ginseng Enhance Athletic Performance?

In conjunction with its impressive abilities on cognitive function, there is also research to suggest that it can enhance exercise performance.

Individuals supplementing with ginseng appear to have improved tolerability to exercise loads, in which they fatigue less at a given workload. This suggests that ginseng supplementation may stave off fatigue and enhance performance in individuals undertaking field or endurance-based sports, in which a large amount of aerobic work is required ^[5].

Is Ginseng Anti-Cancer?

And finally, the unique combination of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that ginseng exhibits have also been shown to have a positive impact on cancer prevention. You see, these compounds have been shown to prevent the growth and development of abnormal and cancerous cells.

This suggests that the regular supplementation of ginseng will not only reduce your risk of getting cancer, but also act as a beneficial addition to more traditional cancer treatments ^[6].

Best Ginseng Product Reviews

It really doesn’t take long to realise that ginseng truly does live up too many of its lofty health claims. As a result, we wanted to give you some great options that you can implement into your diet as soon as humanly possible.

NutraChamps Korean Panax Ginseng 1000mg

This particular ginseng supplement by NutraChamps is without a doubt the most popular on the market – and why shouldn’t it be?

Providing an extremely potent dosage of 1000mg ginseng per serve, it has everything you need in an effective and high-quality ginseng supplement.

Nature’s Bounty Ginseng Complex

Natures Bounty are a great company that consistently produce quality products at extremely affordable price points.

Their ginseng supplement is a prime example of this, in which it offers us one of the most affordable options on the market while still providing a scientifically supported dosage of 400mg per serve. A great option for those on a tight budget.

MAV Nutrition Korean Panax Ginseng

MAV Nutrrition have really made a name for themselves for producing good quality supplements that have scientific evidence to support their use – of which their ginseng supplement is a great example.

Providing a potent dosage of 500mg ginseng per serve, you really cannot go wrong here.

Conclusion

It might be hard to believe, but it does genuinely appear that ginseng lives up to many of its lofty health claims.

With this in mind, it appears to have the ability to enhance cognitive and athletic performance, reduce inflammation and improve immune system function, stave off the development of cancerous cells, and even treat erectile dysfunction.

Its applications are nearly endless!

If you have had any experience supplementing with ginseng then we would love to hear about it, so drop us a comment and we will get back to you ASAP.