5 minute read
Discover the magic of Maca Root
Let’s be real, most superfoods taste…weird; you need a teaspoon of sugar to help that medicine go down.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was such a thing as a superfood that tastes like butterscotch?
Turns out there is, and it looks like a turnip…
Traditionally, Maca has been used to improve endurance in athletes, improve libido, and balance progesterone in women.
What is maca, why is it so popular, and who can benefit from this ‘super-turnip’?
WHAT IS BLACK MACA ROOT?
Black maca root is a cruciferous root vegetable that grows at high altitudes (mainly in the Andean mountains).
The powder is known for its adaptogenic properties, meaning it supports your body in adapting to stressful environments.
In 1653, a Spanish explorer in Peru described maca growing in conditions so harsh that no other crop could survive; a testament to the way it supports our bodies in tough conditions.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MACA ROOT?
Traditionally, black maca root was harvested as food, and dehydrated in the wind and light to be stored for winter supplies.
Andean cultures primarily used maca as a food source, but they also applied it to cases of rheumatism and respiratory disorders.
Today, science shows us that maca is most effective in three main areas of health:
- Fertility and libido
- Mood and energy
- Menopause
MACA FOR FERTILITY
One study from 2015 demonstrated that semen quality was improved when taking maca. In 2020, another study demonstrated that sperm concentration was significantly increased in diagnosed men after a dose of 2g per day for 12 weeks (1).
In women, maca may work to balance hormone functions and support fertility as a secondary function.
There are many claims of maca being used as an aphrodisiac. Though there is no strong evidence to back these claims up, there are many compelling anecdotal stories.
It’s important to note that maca does not affect, nor contain hormones or hormone-altering compounds, which is part of the reason why it’s so beneficial for mood and energy.
MACA FOR ENERGY
Do you find yourself frequently feeling tired, spaced out, or out of touch?
Stress may be the cause of this kind of fatigue.
Energy is produced by your body through a system called the ‘endocrine’ system.
The endocrine system is a network of organs and their response to hormones. When we’re stressed we produce cortisol, which sends the whole system out of balance.
Maca nurtures the HPA axis (which is part of the endocrine system) leaving us feeling balanced, vital, and well.
Scientists don’t know exactly how maca functions, but this kind of ‘balancing’ activity classifies maca as an adaptogen -a type of herb that helps our bodies adapt to stress.
MACA FOR MENOPAUSE
Night sweats, insomnia, depression, anxiety, and mood swings: menopause can be a challenging time of life for many women.
Maca modulates hormonal response, reducing the frequency and intensity of many of these unpleasant symptoms.
How does a root vegetable regulate my hormones?!
Whilst the exact mechanism of action is unclear to scientists, studies have shown that maca supports menopause in 3 main ways:
- Supporting the body to produce its own progesterone and estrogen
- Supporting the body to reduce cortisol production
- Supporting the body to reduce follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
All of which reduce menopausal symptoms (2), (3).
HOW TO TAKE BLACK MACA ROOT
Maca reminds us of malt biscuits. Its balanced butterscotch aroma is tempting to bake into cakes and cookies, but cooking maca reduces its nutritional content.
To make the most out of your maca powder, add it to raw recipes like smoothies, oats, or no-bake treats.
There is no RDA for maca. Sources suggest 1-3 tbsp of the powder per day: perfect for a smoothie sweetener!
Conclusion
It would be a challenge to find something as equally moreish and medicinal as maca.
From fertility to menopause, and the energy we all need for life, everybody can fall back on maca.
REFERENCES
(1). Alcalde, A.M. and Rabasa, J. (2020). Does Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improve seminal quality? Andrologia. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/and.13755.
(2) Lee, M.S., Shin, B.-C., Yang, E.J., Lim, H.-J. and Ernst, E. (2011). Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for treatment of menopausal symptoms: A systematic review. Maturitas, [online] 70(3), pp.227–233. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.07.017.
(3) Meissner, H.O., Kapczynski, W., Mscisz, A. and Lutomski, J. (2005). Use of gelatinized maca (lepidium peruvianum) in early postmenopausal women. International journal of biomedical science : IJBS, [online] 1(1), pp.33–45. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614576/ [Accessed 11 Feb. 2023].