Benefits of maca powder

Maca is not actually a herb, in fact it is a root vegetable originating from South America. It has been used for centuries by indigenous cultures to improve fertility and sexual function, and it's also used as an energy booster. Peruvian maca is most commonly what you might find in a health food store today. 

Maca is a root vegetable that has been used for many centuries in the Andes. It’s often called “Peruvian ginseng” or “superfood,” and some people even call it a natural aphrodisiac. Maca powder is made from maca root and can be added to smoothies, oatmeal or baked goods. It's also available as capsules and tablets - check with your doctor before consuming maca if you're on medication as there may be interactions with certain medications.

What is maca root?

Maca root is a cruciferous vegetable, which means it’s related to the turnip and radish family of plants. Although it looks like it could be quite bitter, maca tastes sweet at first bite and then has a slightly earthy flavour that mellows over time.

Maca is a perennial plant that grows in the Andes mountains of Peru at altitudes between 4000 and 5000 feet (1219 to 1524 meters). Maca can survive extreme weather conditions by storing water in its fleshy roots - which also means it needs very little water when growing outside of its natural habitat.

Maca root powder is a great way to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals. It's also a great source of protein, making it a great option for vegetarians and vegans who are looking to get more protein in their diet.

Why take maca?

Maca is a great source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) and B complex vitamins. In addition to these nutrients, maca has calcium, iron, zinc and selenium. Maca powder also provides dietary fibre that supports digestion and helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Calcium is important for bone health as well as for nerve function - and it's good news that maca contains high amounts of this mineral!

The amino acids found in maca include tryptophan and lysine. The fatty acids include palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid.

Additional maca benefits

Maca is a root vegetable from the broccoli family that looks similar to a turnip. The root is harvested, washed, ground, dried (slow at low temperatures) and then milled into a fine powder. Maca root benefits include being rich in anti oxidants along with vitamins and minerals, which help to reduce free radical damage, a key factor in the development of chronic illness. Maca is also well known for its ability to act as an ‘adaptogen’, meaning it does not simply exert only one effect on the body. Rather, it will adapt to what the body needs, meaning that using maca for health is extremely versatile and safe.

Maca could help with anemia

Maca may be able to help with anemia. In fact, it contains iron, which is essential for red blood cells. Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in women over the age of 40. Maca can also help with other types of anemia that are caused by poor diet or malabsorption (difficulty digesting food).

It helps with menopause symptoms

Menopause is a natural process that can be uncomfortable and frustrating, but maca root powder has been shown to help with some of these symptoms. One recent study found that taking a daily dose of maca root powder led to a decrease in hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Another study found that women who took 1.5 teaspoons of dried, powdered maca had fewer mood swings and memory problems than those who did not take the supplement.

When you go through menopause your estrogen levels can drop dramatically, which is why some women experience hot flashes (feeling extremely hot) or night sweats (feeling very warm while asleep). Low estrogen also means less lubrication during sex which can make intercourse painful for many women post menopause. The good news is that studies have shown that taking 1 tablespoon of raw organic ground or powdered maca root twice per day for three months will help improve these symptoms related to menopause!

It may boost energy and stamina

Maca is an adaptogen, which means it works to balance your body's hormones and energy levels. This makes it one of the most popular supplements for people dealing with low energy or fatigue. In addition to boosting your energy levels, maca powder may also help reduce stress and anxiety while increasing mental clarity and memory function.

Maca has been used as a nutritional supplement since the 16th century by indigenous people in Peru who historically cultivated this crop near Lake Junin at an altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level (4,000 meters). The root was typically ground into flour before being mixed with water or another liquid like juice or tea for consumption; however, some sources suggest that simply chewing on raw maca roots could be enough to reap some benefits depending on how much you eat each day!

It reduces anxiety and depression

Maca powder can reduce anxiety and depression. It is an adaptogen, which means it helps your body adapt to stress and regulate your moods.

Maca can help with mood swings, anxiety and depression by regulating the levels of serotonin in your brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that controls how happy you feel throughout the day, so if you have low serotonin levels, you may feel depressed or anxious without realizing it!

How maca helps libido?

Maca has been used as an aphrodisiac for generations because of its ability to increase energy levels, stamina, and libido. In fact, maca is often called “nature’s viagra." Maca powder is a natural aphrodisiac that helps you to feel more sensual and sexual, so you can increase your desire for intimacy and improve your sex drive. It also increases your sexual stamina, so you can have more frequent orgasms.

Maca benefits for women

Maca root for women can assist in hormone modulation and has been shown in clinical studies to improved libido, as well as improving symptoms of menopause. By modulating and improving the balance of oesterogen in the body, maca can also assist in hormonal conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and symptoms such as hormonal bloating and water retention, irritability, mood swings, depression and hormonal acne.  

Maca helps balance hormones by providing the nutrients your body needs to balance itself. It can be especially helpful for women who are going through perimenopause or menopause, as it helps support estrogen levels while also boosting your energy and mood.

It can help reduce the symptoms of PMS by balancing hormones and improving your mood. If you're prone to depression around that time of the month, maca can help lighten your mood without causing any side effects (like weight gain).

It also helps with fertility. Maca contains sterols that have been shown to support ovulation in women who have trouble getting pregnant; it also supports sperm production and motility in men who have low sperm count or motility issues.

Maca powder benefits for men

Similar to the effect maca has for women, maca can help regulate hormones such as testosterone. Healthy testosterone levels can increase energy, improve sex drive and function and also improve the ability to build and maintain muscle mass, which naturally declines with age.

Here are some of the best maca powder benefits for men:

• Helps with erectile dysfunction
• Improves mood and energy levels
• Increases sperm production and quality
• Boosts male hormone levels (testosterone)

Why is maca good for fertility?

There are a number of reasons why maca may be helpful, including its high levels of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

By balancing hormones in both males and females, maca can be helpful in both sexes for improving fertility. In women, maca can help regulate menstral cycles and ovulation needed for successful implantation of the embryo in fertilisation. In men, maca can help to improve sperm quality and motility, increasing the change of healthy sperm reaching an egg. It is important that you choose maca organic powder, to ensure that your maca does not contain any pesticides.

To learn more about ways to support your fertility journey, make sure to check out our guide 3 Ways to boost fertility naturally

What is maca coffee?

Maca coffee is a mixture of maca powder and coffee. It's a great way to get the health benefits of maca in a morning drink that can help you start your day. Maca coffee is easy to make, too! You'll first need to brew some regular black or white coffee. To make 1 cup of maca coffee, add 1 teaspoon of ground organic maca root powder and ½ teaspoon cinnamon into your mug with the hot water from making your coffee. Stir well until all ingredients are dissolved, then enjoy!

If you are avoiding caffeine, you can make maca latte with by brewing some plant based milk, 1 teaspoon of organic maca powder, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, pure vanilla extract and a dash of natural sweetener like maple syrup.

Final thoughts

We hope you have enjoyed this brief introduction to maca and its uses. As you can see from the information above, it is one of nature’s most powerful superfoods. Maca is an adaptogen, which means it helps your body adapt to stress. Adaptogens are believed to increase energy levels, improve mood and boost stamina.

RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS