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We all know that incredible feeling of mental alertness. Your mind feels sharp and you can stay focused for hours – no matter the task. It’s a feeling we all strive for by crushing a morning workout or (more often) drinking five cups of coffee. However, there’s another (natural) resource that might help improve your mental functioning while yielding a myriad of other health benefits. We’re talking about ginkgo biloba.
Ginkgo biloba supplements are made from the antioxidant-rich leaves of a native Chinese tree of the same name (also called the Maidenhair tree). The ginkgo biloba tree is unique because it’s the last living species of its plant order, Ginkgoales, and dates back more than 270 million years. The tree has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries (possibly millennia) and made its way into western medicine towards the end of the 20th century.
But what exactly makes ginkgo biloba supplements so special? The main benefit is improved brain functioning, or an anecdote for that “brain fog.” Studies have shown that ginkgo extract can improve neuropsychological and memory processes of normally healthy people. In other words, you’ll likely feel sharper and more focused throughout the day. This focus also usually comes without the jittery, sleep-interfering side effects of coffee.
This improvement in mental functioning is most likely due to ginkgo biloba’s antioxidant properties, its positive effect of circulation, or both. Antioxidants help to neutralize cell waste substances called “free radicals,” essentially cleaning up your whole system for better performance.
Ginkgo supplements have some other noteworthy benefits as well, including reduced inflammation, less anxiety and, as mentioned, better circulation for heart health and better performance “down there.”
Keep in mind that, as with nearly all supplements, ginkgo biloba hasn’t been approved by the FDA and some studies haven’t found real efficacy. However, some successful studies and many happy reviews have largely solidified the benefits of ginkgo biloba.
What to Know Before Buying Ginkgo Biloba Supplements
Ginkgo biloba supplements come in a surprising range of recipes, sizes and potency from a number of brands. Here’s what to look for before picking a bottle.
Recipe: Some ginkgo biloba recipes include chemicals (usually to make the capsule), different forms of ginkgo biloba or even additional supplements. You’ll also want a recipe with extracts that are standardized to 24% glycosides and 6% terpene lactones. That might sound confusing, but it just means that the ginkgo biloba is high-quality.
Dosage: Capsules generally have around 100 to 500 milligrams of ginkgo. For most adults, the recommended dosage is around 120 to 240 milligrams a day, divided into two doses. But, as with any supplement, this amount is flexible. If you’re new to ginkgo biloba, start around 120 milligrams per day, but don’t be afraid to go higher than 240 milligrams if you don’t feel anything.
Brand: Many supplement shoppers skip over who they’re buying from. However, this is important – even if the supplement itself has good reviews. We’ve done some digging on all the brands in our roundup to make sure they’re worthy of your business.
Size: Bottle size varies pretty drastically from brand to brand. If this is your first time trying ginkgo biloba, you might want a smaller bottle.
