Maca is a plant that has a scent that is very similar to butterscotch. The root of the plant is used to make medicines too. Maca root is rich in protein and carbohydrate, has a low-fat content and contains a significant amount of fiber. It is also rich in some essential minerals and vitamins, such as vitamin C, iron, and copper. In addition, maca root contains certain chemicals such as fatty acids and amino acids. Also, the root contains various plant compounds, including polyphenols and glucosinolates.
Maca is popular for its ability to alleviate chronic fatigue syndrome and boost memory, stamina, energy, and athletic performance. The root, when taken by mouth, helps to boost immunity, arouses sexual desire, improve fertility, as well as alleviate menstrual problems, menopausal symptoms, and female hormone imbalance. It treats sexual dysfunction caused by osteoporosis, antidepressants, depression, leukemia, cancer, erectile dysfunction (ED), HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis.
As a meal, maca is either roasted or baked, used to make a fermented drink known as maca chichi, or prepared as a soup. It is also used to improve fertility in livestock.
The Health Benefits of Maca Root
Let’s take a closer look at the health benefits of maca.
Boosts Energy and Athletic Performance
Maca root powder is a very popular supplement for athletes and bodybuilders. It is believed to be effective for gaining muscle, boosting energy, increasing strength, as well as improve exercise performance. In fact, according to some studies, maca root can also boost endurance performance.
Increases Libido in Men and Women
The problem of reduced libido has become a common one among adults these days. Luckily, maca root is a herb that naturally helps to boost libido. In fact, maca is heavily promoted as being effective at improving libido. According to some studies, maca is effective for improving sexual desire after some weeks of ingestion.
Increases Fertility in Men
With regards to male fertility, the quality and quantity of sperm are very vital. Fortunately, there are some indications that maca root increases male fertility. As a matter of fact, studies suggest that maca improve the quality of semen in both healthy and infertile men. After consistently consuming maca for some months, maca has shown to help increase the count, volume, and motility of sperm.
Improves Mood
Certain studies have shown that maca can improve your mood. It is believed to help reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety, particularly in women going through menopause. Maca is made of plant compounds known as flavonoids, which is believed to be partly responsible for the psychological benefits the herb provides.
Relieves Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause is that time in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently. The natural reduction in estrogen that happens during this time can lead to a range of unappealing symptoms. These symptoms include mood swings, insomnia, hot flashes, irritability, and vaginal dryness. Some studies on menopausal women have found that maca is effective for alleviating menopausal symptoms, including sleep irregularities and hot flashes. Additionally, studies suggest that maca can help support bone health. Women are known to be at a higher risk of osteoporosis after menopause.
Improves Brain Function
Maca may improve learning and memory. In fact, it is traditionally used to improve children’s school performance. In some studies, maca has shown to improve brain function in children with memory impairment. Interestingly, black maca seems to be more effective than other varieties.
Protect the Skin from the Sun
The ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun may actually burn and damage to exposed, unprotected skin. After some time, UV radiation can result in wrinkles, fine lines, and increase your risk of skin cancer. Interestingly, there is some evidence that applying maca extract, which is a concentrated form of the plant, to the skin may help protect it from UV radiation. Some studies found that maca extract, when applied to the skin, prevents skin damage from UV rays. Its protective ability is credited to the glucosinolates and polyphenol antioxidants present in it.
Reduces Prostate Size
The prostate is a gland that is found in men only. An enlargement of the prostate gland, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is somewhat common in aging males. A larger prostate can lead to several problems with passing urine, as it surrounds the tube via which urine is eliminated from the body.
Interestingly, some studies have suggested that red maca is effective for reducing prostate size. It is also believed that the effect of red maca on the prostate is connected with its high amount of glucosinolates. These substances have also been linked with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
How to Use Maca
Maca is easy to add toyour diet as it can be consumed as a supplement or added to oatmeals, smoothies, energy bars, as well as baked foods. It is available in liquid extracts, capsules, and powder forms.
The herb can easily be purchased in health food stores, supermarkets, and from various online stores.
Side Effects and Precautions
Generally, maca is considered safe. However, it is believed that consuming fresh maca root may have an adverse health effect on our health. So it recommended that the herb is boiled first.
People with thyroid problems may want to be cautious with maca. This is because it contains goitrogens, which are substances that may adversely affect the normal function of the thyroid gland. In fact, these compounds are more likely to be risky for consumption a person already suffers impaired thyroid function.
The extracts from maca are likely to function like estrogen. This is why people with hormone-sensitive conditions like ovarian cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, or endometriosis might find the herb harmful. These health conditions can actually be made worse by an exposure to estrogen.
Finally, pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers should check with their doctors first before taking maca.
The Bottom Line
Supplementing with maca may provide us with an impressive range of health benefits, such as improved mood and increased libido. However, there isn’t enough evidence to verify these benefits. Therefore, it is advisable to consult your doctor before using the herb.
