Ashwagandha, chamomile, dark chocolate, ginseng, green tea, lavender, lion's mane mushroom, maca, tart cherries, turmeric, and valerian root may improve mental energy outcomes in adults without severe disease.
This scoping review of 101 randomized controlled trials evaluated 16 dietary ingredients for effects on mental energy. Eleven ingredients showed promising directional benefits (≥20% of outcomes improved) across cognition, mood, and sleep domains, with dark chocolate, ginseng, ashwagandha, and lion's mane mushroom being most promising for cognition.
This article is automatically generated from the structured evidence profile behind the claim above. Scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical advice.
Ashwagandha, chamomile, dark chocolate, ginseng, green tea, lavender, lion's mane mushroom, maca, tart cherries, turmeric, and valerian root may improve mental energy outcomes in adults without severe disease. The current body of evidence comprises 1 study, including 1 randomized controlled trial. EvidenceHub rates the overall confidence at 42/100 (low).
The Claim
Ashwagandha, chamomile, dark chocolate, ginseng, green tea, lavender, lion's mane mushroom, maca, tart cherries, turmeric, and valerian root may improve mental energy outcomes in adults without severe disease.
This conclusion is most relevant to: Adults without severe disease..
What the Research Shows
The conclusion draws on 1 linked study. Highlights from the cited literature:
- ▸The Role of Dietary Ingredients in Mental Energy - A Scoping Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. (Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 2024) —
How It Works
The proposed biological pathway:
- ▸Ingredient consumed
- ▸Bioactive compounds absorbed
- ▸Modulation of neurotransmitter or inflammatory pathways
- ▸Improved cognition, mood, or sleep
Who Might Benefit
Evidence fit by population:
- ▸Adults without severe disease.
Recommended Dose
N/A
Limitations & Caveats
Important context when interpreting this evidence:
- ▸Scoping review design does not provide quantitative meta-analysis or effect sizes
- ▸High heterogeneity in study designs, outcome measures, and dosing across included trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Which dietary ingredients showed the most promise for improving cognition?▼
Dark chocolate, ginseng, ashwagandha, and lion's mane mushroom were identified as the most promising for cognition.
How many studies were included in this review?▼
101 randomized controlled trials fully met eligibility criteria and were included.
What domains of mental energy were assessed?▼
Cognition, mood and perceived feelings, and sleep assessments were evaluated.
Were any ingredients found to be ineffective?▼
The review did not identify any ingredients as definitively ineffective; it only highlighted those with directional benefits in ≥20% of outcomes.
References
- 1.Nieman KM, Zhu Y, Tucker M, Koecher K. “The Role of Dietary Ingredients in Mental Energy - A Scoping Review of Randomized Controlled Trials..” Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 2024. PMID: 37561965 DOI: 10.1080/27697061.2023.2244031