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Ergogenic Aid by Cordyceps: Does It Work??
Luthfia Dewi1,2, Chutimon Khemtong3
1Laboratory of Exercise Biochemistry, University of Taipei, Tianmu Campus, Taipei, 11153, Taiwan. luthfia@unimus.ac.id.
Current Nutrition Reports
|August 6, 2025
Summary
Cordyceps supplementation may improve aerobic performance, increasing time to exhaustion in athletes. However, its effects on aerobic fitness are inconsistent, and more research is needed for broader applications.
Area of Science:
- Exercise Physiology
- Pharmacology
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Background:
- Herbal supplements, particularly those with high bioactive content, are increasingly used to enhance exercise performance.
- Cordyceps spp., a traditional Chinese herb, possesses known immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fibrotic properties.
- Cordyceps can stimulate cytokine synthesis in human peripheral blood, relevant to exercise-induced inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and summarize the effects of Cordyceps supplementation on aerobic performance and fitness in human studies.
- To evaluate the potential of Cordyceps as an ergogenic aid for exercise.
- To identify gaps in current research regarding Cordyceps and exercise.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of human studies investigating Cordyceps supplementation.
- Analysis of reported outcomes related to aerobic performance metrics (e.g., time to exhaustion).
- Assessment of effects on aerobic fitness parameters and consideration of participant demographics (age, activity level).
Main Results:
- Long-term Cordyceps supplementation (2-16 weeks) showed dose-dependent improvements in aerobic performance, notably increasing time to exhaustion.
- Effects on aerobic fitness were inconsistent across studies.
- Limited research exists on Cordyceps' ergogenic potential in aging or sedentary populations.
- Combined use with other herbs and exercise training may enhance Cordyceps' impact.
Conclusions:
- Cordyceps supplementation demonstrates potential as an ergogenic aid, primarily improving aerobic performance.
- Further research is necessary to clarify effects on aerobic fitness and explore cellular mechanisms in human studies.
- Investigating Cordyceps in diverse populations (aging, sedentary) is warranted.
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