The maca plant has exploded in popularity in recent years. It’s actually a plant indigenous to Peru and is commonly available in powder form or as a supplement.Maca root has traditionally been used to enhance fertility and sex drive; however, this is still debatable among researchers It’s also claimed to improve energy and stamina.
🌱What is maca?🌱
The maca plant, known scientifically as Lepidium meyenii, is sometimes referred to as Peruvian ginseng.
It mainly grows in the Andes of central Peru, in harsh conditions and at very high altitudes — above 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).
Maca is a cruciferous vegetable that’s related to broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale. It has a long history of culinary and medicinal use in Peru
The main edible part of the plant is the root. It exists in several colors, ranging from white to black.
Maca root is generally dried and consumed in powder form, but it’s also available in capsules and as a liquid extract.
The taste of maca root powder, which some people dislike, has been described as earthy and nutty. Many people add it to their smoothies, oatmeal, and sweet treats.
🌱1. It’s highly nutritious🌱
Maca root powder is nutrient dense and is a rich source of several important vitamins and minerals One ounce (28 grams) of maca root powder contains:
Calories: 91
Carbs: 20 grams
Protein: 4 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Fat: 1 gram
Vitamin C: 133% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI)
Copper: 85% of the RDI
Iron: 23% of the RDI
Potassium: 16% of the RDI
Vitamin B6: 15% of the RDI
Manganese: 10% of the RDI
Maca root is a good source of carbs, is low in fat, and contains a fair amount of fiber. It’s also high in some essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, copper, and iron.Furthermore, it contains various plant compounds, including glucosinolates and polyphenols
🌱2. It may increase libido in men and women🌱
Reduced sexual desire is a common problem among adults. Consequently, interest in herbs and plants that naturally boost libido is high. Maca has been heavily marketed as being effective at improving sexual desire, and this claim is backed by research A review from 2010 that included four randomized clinical studies with a total of 131 participants found evidence that maca improved sexual desire after at least 6 weeks of ingestion It is important to note, however, that since this study was small, more research is needed to draw conclusions.
🌱3. It may increase fertility in men🌱
When it comes to male fertility, sperm quality and quantity are very important.There is some evidence that maca root increases men’s fertility A recent review summarized the findings of five small studies. It showed that maca improved semen quality in both infertile and healthy men Another study tested 69 men diagnosed with mild asthenozoospermia and/or mild oligozoospermia. After consuming maca for 12 weeks, researchers detected an improvement in the concentration of semen, but the size, shape, volume, count, and mobility of the sperm were not significantly changed
🌱4. It may help relieve symptoms of menopause🌱
Menopause is defined as the time in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently.The natural decline in estrogen that occurs during this time can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms.These include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, sleep problems, and irritability.Some studies in menopausal women found that maca helped alleviate menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes and interrupted sleep. However, it’s important to note that additional supplements were used alongside maca in the studies, so further research is needed before determining if maca alleviates menopausal symptoms.Additionally, animal studies suggest that maca can help protect bone health. Women have a higher risk of osteoporosis after menopause
🌱5. Maca can improve your mood🌱
Several studies have shown that maca can enhance your mood.It’s been associated with reduced anxiety and symptoms of depression, particularly in menopausal women Maca contains plant compounds called flavonoids, which have been suggested to be at least partly responsible for these psychological benefits
🌱6. It may boost sports performance and energy🌱
Maca root powder is a popular supplement among bodybuilders and athletes.It has been claimed to help gain muscle, increase strength, boost energy, and improve exercise performance.Also, some animal studies indicate that it enhances endurance performance Moreover, one small pilot study in eight male cyclists found that they improved the time it took them to complete a nearly 25-mile (40-km) bike ride after 14 days of supplementing with maca extract Currently, there is no scientific evidence to confirm that maca offers any benefits for muscle mass or strength.
🌱7. When applied to the skin, Maca may help protect it from the sun🌱
Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun may burn and damage unprotected, exposed skin.Over time, UV radiation can cause wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer There is some evidence that applying maca extract, a concentrated form of the plant, to your skin may help protect it from UV radiation One study found that maca extract applied to the skin of five rats over a 3-week period prevented skin damage from UV exposure The protective effect was attributed to the poly phenol antioxidants and glucosinolates found in maca Keep in mind that maca extract cannot replace conventional sunscreen. Also, it only protects the skin when applied to the skin, not when eaten.
🌱8. It may improve learning and memory🌱
Maca may improve brain function In fact, it has traditionally been used by the indigenous people of Peru to improve children’s performance in school In animal studies, maca has improved learning and memory in rodents that have memory impairment In this regard, black maca appears to be more effective than other varieties
🌱9. It may reduce prostate size🌱
The prostate is a gland only found in men.Enlargement of the prostate gland, also known as benign pro static hyperplasia (BPH), is common in aging men A larger prostate can cause various problems with passing urine, as it surrounds the tube through which urine is removed from the body.Interestingly, a few studies in rodents suggest that red maca reduces the prostate size It has been proposed that the effect of red maca on the prostate is linked to its high amount of glucosinolates. These substances are also associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer
🌱How to use Maca🌱
Maca is easy to incorporate into your diet.It can be taken as a supplement or added to smoothies, oatmeal, baked goods, energy bars, and more.The optimal dose for medicinal use has not been established. However, the dosage of maca root powder used in studies generally ranges from 1.5–5 grams per day.You can find maca in some supermarkets, at health food stores, and from various online retailers. There is also a very good selection available on Amazon with thousands of interesting reviews.Higher quality maca with personalized dosages can also be found with the assistance of a licensed healthcare professional.It is available in powder form, 500-mg capsules, or as a liquid extract.While yellow maca is the most readily available type, darker types like red and black may possess different biological properties
🌱Safety and side effects🌱
Maca is generally considered safe.However, Peruvian natives believe that consuming fresh maca root may have adverse health effects and recommend boiling it first.Additionally, if you have thyroid problems, you may want to be careful with maca.That’s because it contains goitrogens, substances that may interfere with the normal function of the thyroid gland. These compounds are more likely to affect you if you already have impaired thyroid function.Lastly, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult with your healthcare team before taking maca.
🌱The bottom line🌱
Supplementing with maca may provide several health benefits, such as increased libido and better mood.However, most of the studies are small, and many of them were done in animals.Although maca shows a lot of promise, it needs to be studied more extensively.If you’re considering maca supplementation, talk with a healthcare professional.
Source :https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-maca-root#TOC_TITLE_HDR_13