A distant cousin of broccoli and cauliflower, Maca is a Peruvian calciferous plant that is loaded with health benefits. It is a common ingredient used in smoothies and meals because of its delicious earthy flavor. Maca root benefits you by taking care of your overall health and well-being.
Maca is a wild, medicinal plant that is often found in the freezing ground of the Andes mountains in Peru. It is known for its distinct taste that reminds you of butterscotch. Commonly referred to as Peruvian Ginseng, the root of the maca is known to boost your energy and leave you feeling revitalized. The various maca benefits have made it a popular ingredient for health supplements available in the form of powders, tablets, and capsules.
Top 10 Maca Root Benefits
Here are some of the best known maca benefits you must know:
1. Boosts Your Libido
This is one of the most popular maca powder benefits. There are some studies that provide credible evidence to this claim. In 2002, a study was conducted where men were given 1.5 -3 g of maca powder every day. They saw a significant improvement in their libido in comparison to men who were given a placebo.
Recently, a study conducted on post-menopausal women was published, revealing that it reduces any sexual dysfunction. It is even beneficial to women in this age group with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfuncton.
2. Cures Erectile Dysfunction Naturally
One of the major maca benefits for men deals with sexual issues like erectile dysfunction. A popular study was conducted in 2009 where men were given 2.4g of maca powder every day. After 12 weeks, the symptoms of ED were significantly reduced. They also claimed that their overall sexual well-being had improved because of this supplement.
3. Improves Endurance and Energy
Bodybuilders and athletes have turned to the benefits of maca to improve their performance overall. A study conducted on male cyclists showed that consuming maca extracts for 14 days showed a significant improvement in their performance. Maca is known to make you feel more energized. However, this benefit of maca is yet to be researched thoroughly for more evidence to support the claim.
4. Improves Fertility
Maca root powder benefits for fertility have also resulted in the widespread use of this product. It is particularly beneficial for men with reproductive disorders. How it benefits fertility in men is yet unknown. However, a study conducted in 2016 showed that using maca root extracts regularly can improve the quality of semen. This improvement was noticed not only in men with fertility issues but also in healthy adults.
5. Boosts Your Mood
Like most plant extracts, maca is also extremely rich in flavonoids. These are plant compounds that act as antioxidants, leaving you feeling more energized. These plant compounds are also useful in reducing the symptoms of anxiety. A popular study involving women in their postmenopausal age showed that maca not only helps you cope with anxiety but depression as well.
Another similar study conducted in China provided identical results, showing that maca benefits for the mind could come as a great relief to those suffering from anxiety and depression. For several years, it has been used as an adaptogenic, helping people cope with the deteriorating effects of stress.
6. May Help Manage Blood Pressure
There are a few studies that have shown that maca is beneficial in reducing your arterial blood pressure. One such study involved the consumption of about 3.3g of maca extracts per day. Over a period of 12 weeks, the study group consisting of postmenopausal women experienced lower blood pressure.
While the exact effects of maca are yet to be researched, it could be a potentially effective remedy for hypertension.
7. May Help Prevent Sun Damage
There are no clinical studies to prove this claim. However, some studies conducted on animals have found that maca root extracts prevent UV-related skin damage. They prevent issues like hyperpigmentation and dark spots which are common signs of sun damage. This could be because of the effect of these extracts on the production of melanin.
The high antioxidant content of maca is also beneficial in preventing any oxidative damage to the skin as a result of long periods of exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun.
8. Helps Reduce Free Radical Damage
When you are exposed to toxins because of various environmental factors, there is a spike in the free radical build-up in your body. Free radicals cause oxidative damage to the cells and tissues, causing severe degeneration. The antioxidants in maca root help neutralize these free radicals, thereby protecting your cells.
It has also been observed that one of the maca root benefits is the increased production of your body’s natural antioxidants. The level of powerful antioxidants like glutathione increases in the body, improving your body’s natural defense mechanism against these free radicals.
9. Reduces the Symptoms of Menopause
Women in their menopausal and post-menopausal age experience several issues like hot flashes that cause a lot of discomfort. This is because of the hormonal imbalance caused during this age.
Studies show that maca root can help regulate the balance of these hormones, thereby preventing or reducing these symptoms. A study conducted on postmenopausal women showed that consuming two maca tablets each day reduced common symptoms like night sweats and hot flashes to a great extent.
10. Boosts your Memory and Cognitive Abilities
Reviews of some literature available on cognitive maca powder benefits show that it may improve learning capacity and memory. The data collected from this research conducted on mice showed that maca can also delay the onset of degenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. However, since no human evidence is currently available, this claim is highly debated.
Side-Effects of Maca
With moderate consumption, maca root is mostly safe. However, in certain cases or if you suffer from any health condition, some side effects are possible. The following groups must avoid using maca extracts:
1. Women who are pregnant and breastfeeding: While the benefits of maca are gaining popularity, the research available is limited. So, it is best to avoid using it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
2. Individuals with hormone-sensitive health issues: As mentioned earlier, maca can affect your hormonal levels. Women who suffer from uterine cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, fibroids, or endometriosis should avoid maca. It is known to influence hormones like estrogen in women. So, if you are on hormone therapy for treatment of any condition, do not use maca.
3. Individuals consuming certain medication: Maca root may interfere with some medicines, causing side effects. It may even reduce the potency of the medication. So, for those who consume any medicines regularly, take your doctor’s advice before using maca.
Conclusion
On average, consuming up to 3g of maca root extracts is safe for most people. You can choose supplements with natural extracts to enjoy maca root benefits. However, this natural ingredient has only come into the limelight in the recent past. While there is evidence of its use in traditional medicine, the research and data available are very limited. So, before including it in your diet, make sure you consult a healthcare expert.
