Start leading a healthy lifestyle by reaping all the incredible benefits of maca roots. Know more about maca root, what it is and all the amazing benefits in this blog.
What Is Maca Root?
Maca, also known as Ginseng Andin, Lepidium meyenii, or Peruvian Ginseng, is a cruciferous vegetable that smells quite similar to butterscotch and is relative to radish. The maca plant grows in the Andes Mountains on the high plateaus. Over 3,000 years ago, it was cultivated as a root vegetable that was used to make medicine. However, there wasn't enough information to show how Maca worked.
The maca root benefits for men are said to help with infertility in men and other health problems (1). There are other purposes and uses of Maca, some of which are supported by research and others that are still being studied.
Nutritional Properties Of Maca Root
The nutritional value of a 10 g serving of maca root consists of Amino acids like Alanine – 6.3 mg. Arginine – 9.9 mg, Aspartic Acid – 9.2 mg, Glutamic Acid – 15.7 mg, Glycine 6.8 mg, Histidine – 4.2 mg, HO-Proline – 2.6 mg, Isoleucine – 4.78 mg, Leucine – 9.1 mg, Lysine – 5.5 mg, Methionine – 2.8 mg, Phenylalanine – 5.5 mg, Proline - .05 mg, Sarcosine - .07 mg, Serine -- 5.0 mg, Threonine – 3.3 mg, Tryptophan - .5 mg, Tyrosine – 3.0 mg, and Valine- 7.3 mg. It contains vitamins like Thamin (B1) - 1 mcg, Riboflavin (B2) - .7.6 mcg, Ascorbic Acid (C) - 30 mcg,
Niacin 350 mcg, Calcium – 4.5 mg, Phosphorus – 2.2 mg, Magnesium – 1.04 mg, Potassium – 15 mg, and Sodium .25 mg. It contains minerals like Iodine - 5 mcg, Copper – .5 mcg, Zinc – 12 mcg, Manganese – 8 mcg, Iron – 25 mcg, Selenium – 20 mcg, and Boron – 5 mcg.
Why Should You Include Maca Root In Your Lifestyle?
Here are some reasons what maca is for and why you should include it in your lifestyle.
1. Improve fertility:
A study carried out in 2020 discovered that consuming 2 grams of maca daily consistently for 12 weeks can significantly improve the concentration of semen in comparison with the placebo treatment (2).
2. Boost energy levels:
Evidence shows the advantages of maca root in boosting energy levels and improving mood. A study carried out in 2022 showed that maca extract reduces fatigue in young adult women (3) and there are other maca root benefits for females.
3. Helps to destress:
Maca is an adaptogenic herb with incredible benefits of managing environmental stress on the body. It can stimulate the stress protection system of the body by balancing the body’s HPA (hypothalamic pituitary adrenal) axis (4).
4. Helps with perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms:
Women experience a lot of painful symptoms during menopause and the benefits of maca root powder are that it supports the body without changing estrogen levels. Consuming maca can reduce night sweats and hot flashes (5).
5. Helps manage depression:
A study carried out in 2014 showed an increase in dopamine levels after consuming maca for six weeks. This has led to reduced feelings of depression (6).
Tips For Consuming Maca Root For Effective Results
There are various uses for maca powder, some of which are mentioned above. However, maca root comes in different forms for you to choose from. Maca root capsules and extracts can easily be taken orally with water or any other liquid. This is the fastest and easiest way to consume maca herb and reap the benefits. Maca chips or powders can be consumed in various ways. But whichever way you prefer to consume them, maca roots have the same benefits.
Use USDA Certified Maca Root Powder From Rooted Actives
At Rooted Actives, you can get certified organic Maca Root in various forms for you to consume. Get the Peruvian Raw Maca Root Powder, the Certified Organic Peruvian Maca Root Capsules, the Peruvian Imported Maca, Gelatinised & Organic, or any of the other options available for you. Rooted Actives aims to bring you ayurvedic herbs, superfoods, and mushrooms that are sourced across India & globally. These maca roots and other health supplements available here contain no impurities or contaminations.
FAQs
Q. Can I take maca root daily?
A: Maca is best consumed moderately as a food or a supplement, Be sure not to take more than 3 grams (less than one teaspoon) daily. However, more studies and tests need to be carried out before we know what doses are safe for pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, kids, and people with liver or kidney diseases.
Q. Which is the best time to consume maca root - morning or night?
A: The best time you can consume maca herb to reap the benefits is in the morning as it can also help to increase your energy levels which isn’t good to take before bed as it can disrupt your sleep.
Q. How to consume maca root - in powder form or raw form?
A: There are different ways you can take maca root in powder, capsule, or raw to reap its benefits. You can incorporate it into your diet however is best for you and is suitable for your lifestyle.
Q. Can I grind maca root at home to make its powder?
A: You can dry out maca root for a few days until it is hard and very dry and grind it using a food processor or a coffee grinder.
Q. Does consuming maca root help in improving fertility?
A: A clinical study was carried out and it investigated the fertility property of maca root. It confirmed that for fertility maca root does help by increasing chances of pregnancy in women and decreasing infertility in men (6).
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3184420/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32654242/
- https://ffhdj.com/index.php/ffhd/article/view/912
- https://www.siftdesk.org/article-details/Antianxiety-and-anti-depressant-effects-of-Maca-emL-meyeniiem-ethanolic-extract-on-chronic-unpredictable-mild-stress-of-rats-through-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis/466
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614644/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4025608/