Goli is one of the most popular gummy supplement brands in the US, and they sell an ashwagandha supplement. We already reviewed Goli’s Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies, so we wanted to publish a similar research-based review on Goli Ashwagandha Gummies.
But can Goli Ashwagandha Gummies actually relieve stress? Do they have any unhealthy ingredients? What was our Product Tester's experience trying them for a month? And are Goli Ashwagandha Gummies better or worse than popular stress-relief supplements like Ü Relax?
In this article we'll answer all of these questions and more, as we analyze the ingredients in Goli Ashwagandha Gummies to give our take on whether or not they're likely to relieve stress, and whether or not they're healthy.
We'll also share our Product Tester's honest review of the supplement, discuss the risk of side effects, and compare Goli Ashwagandha Gummies to other popular stress-relieving supplements to pick our winners (and losers).
Key takeaways:
- Contains an effective dose of ashwagandha for stress relief
- Contains inactive ingredients we consider unhealthy
- We do not currently recommend Goli Ashwagandha Gummies
Ingredient Analysis
The ingredients in Goli Ashwagandha Gummies are shown below:
Ashwagandha root extract is the core active ingredient, and is included at a 300 milligram (mg) dose.
The brand claims that these gummies can help users “relax” and “unwind,” which suggests that they have an anti-stress effect.
Ashwagandha has been shown in medical research to have anxiety-reducing effects.
A clinical trial published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine found that ashwagandha extract at the same dose as in Goli's gummies decreased stress and improved quality of life in trial participants.
A more recent study found similar results. Trial participants taking 250 mg of ashwagandha extract (slightly less than that in Goli) daily experienced a reduction in their stress levels of 34% after 12 weeks.
While the ashwagandha in Goli's gummies appears to be effectively dosed, this supplement also contains a few ingredients we consider questionable.
Vitamin D2 is a strange inclusion in our opinion. We don't understand why this supplement contains added vitamin D, and vitamin D2 is a much less effective form than vitamin D3 (which is the vitamin D format commonly used in supplements).
Vitamin D2 is such a low-quality ingredient that there’s even an entire medical review published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition arguing that it “shouldn’t even be regarded as a nutrient suitable for supplementation” because it’s so poorly absorbed and is subject to rapid degradation.
Organic tapioca syrup and organic cane sugar are forms of added sugar.
A 2019 medical review found that excess added sugar consumption was associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes. Many Americans already consume too much added sugar in their diet, so we recommend avoiding added, refined sugar in supplements entirely.
Natural flavors is a broad categorical descriptor that may include solvents and preservatives according to a medical review published in the Food and Chemical Toxicology journal.
Citric acid is a preservative and flavoring agent that is clinically shown to cause whole-body inflammatory reactions in some individuals, as we documented in our review of Smilz CBD Gummies (another product containing this ingredient).
Overall, we consider Goli Ashwagandha Gummies likely to reduce stress due to the effective ashwagandha dose, but we do not currently recommend this supplement due to the inactive ingredients described above.
We Tested Goli Ashwagandha Gummies
One of our product testers named Matt Donnelly tried Goli Ashwagandha Gummies for a month. Here's his experience:
The foil wrapping under the cap was a little tough to remove and I couldn’t take it off with my fingers. I ended up just pushing a fingernail through it to get it open, which was a bit of a nuisance.
It smelled and tasted fruity like blue raspberry candy gummies with a little bit of a medicinal, minty aftertaste. They were soft, chewy, and enjoyable to eat. If they were candy, I’d eat them by the handful. But I didn’t — I consumed them as directed.
I did not experience any side effects while taking this supplement.
I think I felt slightly mellowed in the hours after consuming the gummies. There were also times when I took them and didn’t feel any specific effects.
Overall, I would rate Goli Ashwagandha Gummies 8/10, and I would consider purchasing them again in the future.
Goli Ashwagandha Gummies vs. Popular Stress Supps
Here's how Goli Ashwagandha Gummies compare to other popular stress-relieving supplements in terms of potential effectiveness and healthiness, in our opinion:
Ü Relax
Its main active ingredient is clinically shown to be hepatotoxic.
Goli Ashwagandha Gummies wins from a healthiness/safety perspective.
Winner: Goli Ashwagandha Gummies
Feel Free
Contains kava, which is clinically shown to cause liver injury in some cases, as we documented in our Feel Free drink review.
Goli's gummy formulation is much safer.
Winner: Goli Ashwagandha Gummies
Moment Drink
Contains an active ingredient which has been shown in research studies to increase blood clotting risk in some individuals.
Winner: Goli Ashwagandha Gummies
Do Goli Ashwaganda Gummies Cause Side Effects?
Goli Ashwagandha Gummies don't appear to have been studied in any clinical trials, which makes it challenging to assess the risk of side effects.
However, we can make an educated guess based on the stated ingredients.
Ashwagandha extract is included within the effective dosing range, so we consider the core active ingredient unlikely to cause side effects.
As we documented in the Ingredient Analysis section, manufactured citric acid can cause side effects in some individuals, but this risk appears to be very rare.
Overall, we do not consider Goli Ashwagandha Gummies likely to cause side effects in healthy adults, and our Product Tester did not experience any side effects when using this supplement for a month.
Our Clean Mood Support Picks
Cornbread CBD Lotion is our topical stress-relief pick.
CBD is clinically shown to be absorbed through the skin, and was shown in a 2020 medical review to be a "promising" natural treatment for anxiety disorders.
Pique Japanese Sencha Green Tea is our top relaxation tea pick.
Green tea was shown in a 2017 clinical trial to significantly reduce stress levels, and has been used to promote mental and physical wellness for centuries.
Both of the products recommended in this section are free of ingredients that we consider to be unhealthy.
Goli Ashwagandha Gummies Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Effective ashwagandha dose
- Should relieve stress
- Should provide mood support
- No dangerous ingredients
- Unlikely to cause side effects
- Highly affordable
- Healthier than competitors
Cons:
- Contains vitamin D2
- Contains added, refined sugar
- Contains citric acid
- Contains natural flavors
- Doesn't appear to be clinically tested
