Shoden-R: Arjuna Natural’s new root-only ashwagandha ingredient

At SupplySide Global 2025, Nutritional Outlook Associate Editor Erin McEvoy interviews Keely Johnson, vice president of sales and marketing for Arjuna Natural. Johnson highlights how the root-only ashwagandha ingredient can be used in functional foods and beverages, and what the research from multiple clinical studies states.

Erin McEvoy: Hello everyone. I'm here with Arjuna Natural, with Keely. Thank you for coming.

Keely Johnson: Yes, thank you for coming.

McEvoy: Can you tell us more about the launch of the root-only Shoden?

Johnson: Yes. So we are really excited, because this is the first time that we are launching Shoden-R. Shoden-R is our root-only ashwagandha, super important for us, because this will go perfectly into functional foods and beverages. It's unlike our root and leaf, because there's almost zero taste and zero smell.

McEvoy: So why was it important to add to your portfolio?

Johnson: With our root and leaf we had restrictions on going into the beverage market. Ashwagandha is used a lot in sports nutrition and especially now moving into functional foods and making things already available, we had a flavor profile issue. Now that totally removes that, and it's we're able to move forward in different categories. So we're very excited.

McEvoy: So what are some of the scientific findings and the functional claims for Shoden?

Johnson: So Shoden has been around for about five years. We have nine clinical studies on Shoden, but our most recent, and what's most important is we are the lowest dose on the market. So currently we have 60 milligrams, and at 60 milligrams, we've got claims on stress, anxiety, sleep, cognitive performance, and energy.

McEvoy: So what are some of the key points of differentiation for this Ashwagandha extract?

Johnson: So this ashwagandha actually showed no clinical difference from our Shoden root and leaf. It actually, we did a three-armed double blind placebo study, so we actually showed that there was no clinical difference. But what it does do is it takes out that smell and taste, so now it's used for other applications, so like ready to drink mixes and RTDs are going to really be easy to use, and the consumer will love them.

McEvoy: So what are some of the unique features of the turmeric extract BCM-95?

Johnson: So our turmeric extract BCM-95 was our flagship product. This is the most clinically researched turmeric on the market. We have 92 clinical studies on this product. It is the most researched 100% turmeric on the market. Why it's so important is because it is 100% turmeric and it's the most bioavailable. So the BCM 95 is not just turmeric at 95% it also has essential oils, so it has a higher bioavailability.

McEvoy: Allright, thank you.

Johnson: Thank you so much for coming, I appreciate it.