Node.js v7.6.0 introduced a significant update to its underlying JavaScript engine, v8 5.5, incorporating native support for async functions, which enhances the readability of promise-based code by allowing developers to use the async and await keywords. This update makes asynchronous code appear more synchronous, reducing complexity and improving error handling by using try...catch blocks instead of chaining .catch methods to each promise. The inclusion of async functions in the language removes the need for transpilers like Babel, promoting wider adoption and cleaner code. However, developers need to be cautious as excessive use of async/await can lead to performance issues and may indicate deeper architectural problems. In non-promise-aware environments like Express, helper functions can be used to unify error handling and streamline code structure. While async/await greatly simplifies code, developers should remain vigilant about potential performance pitfalls and maintain thoughtful architecture to avoid unintentional slowdowns.