Effects of Withania somnifera root extract on sleep quality, body composition, and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) root extract supplementation on sleep quality, body composition, and menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 66 postmenopausal women aged 45-65 years at a single center in Amritsar, India. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either ashwagandha root extract (600 mg/day; n=34) or placebo (n=32) for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes were sleep quality assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, body composition assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, and menopausal symptoms assessed by the Menopause Rating Scale. Secondary outcomes included health-related quality of life assessed by the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey. Bone mineral density was assessed as an exploratory outcome. RESULTS: Sixty-three participants completed the study (ashwagandha n=33; placebo n=30). The ashwagandha group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in sleep quality (mean change -5.2 vs. -0.8; P<0.001), menopausal symptom scores (mean change -8.1 vs. -1.2; P<0.001), and body fat percentage (mean change -0.6% vs. +0.03%; P<0.01) compared with placebo. Quality of life improved significantly across multiple domains. No significant between-group differences in bone mineral density were observed. The intervention was well tolerated with no serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve weeks of ashwagandha supplementation significantly improved sleep quality, menopausal symptoms, and body composition in postmenopausal women, with an excellent safety profile.