What is Peruvian maca used for and what are its health benefits?

Also known as Peruvian ginseng, it is a relative of the radish. It grows in the Andes Mountains and offers a great versatility to be integrated into the diet in different ways.

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a plant from the central Andean region of Peru, with a history of cultivation that spans more than two millennia. It is used as a food supplement because of its nutritional value and there are different varieties such as black, red or yellow.

What nutrients does Peruvian maca contain?

The main components of maca, which are found both in its root and in the aerial parts of the plant, include starch, dietary fiber (beneficial for digestion and intestinal health), and proteins (essential for the growth and repair of body tissues), according to a publication in the scientific journal Food and Chemistry.

In addition, it has components in smaller quantities, such as minerals that fulfill key functions in the organism. Polysaccharides other than starch that may have important roles in health, polyphenols (including flavonolignans) with antioxidant properties, macaenes and macamides that are compounds unique to maca, glucosinolates that are precursors of bioactive substances, and alkaloids that may have effects on nervous and physiological activity.

What are the health benefits of Peruvian maca?

Treatment in menopause

According to a publication of the magazine Investigación y Ciencia of the Universidad Autónoma de Aguascalientes in Mexico, the consumption of maca can be a great option to alleviate the symptoms of menopause, since it contains sterols, compounds that activate the endocrine system facilitating the regulation of hormonal balance. These components provide support to the pituitary gland, thus improving the function of the adrenal glands and the reproductive system, both in ovaries and testicles.

Antioxidant power

A publication in the Peruvian Journal of Experimental Medicine and Public Health states that the antioxidants in maca have the ability to counteract free radicals, which are involved in the development of various diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, due to their presence in the blood. They act by absorbing oxygen without producing harmful side effects.

On the other hand, Dr. Carla Gonzales Arimborgo, a member of the Institute of High Altitude Research of the Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia (UPCH), said that it has been observed that the consumption of black maca can have a positive effect on sperm quality, including improvements in the quantity and mobility of spermatozoa. This was mentioned during a conversation with Agencia Andina

What is the impact of Peruvian maca on libido?

Over the years, studies have linked the consumption of Peruvian maca to increased sexual desire. For example, research in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that this food may have a positive effect on improving libido in both men and women, but stressed that the sample was small, so more information and larger studies are needed.

Likewise, Gonzáles Arimborgo, a member of UPCH, pointed out that, by acting as an energizer, maca could contribute positively during sex. However, he stressed that it is not possible to ensure that the properties of the plant include the improvement of sexual desire, since this effect tends to be more subjective.

The expert specified that experimental studies have been carried out on the effects of this food on the improvement of sexual function, but mostly with animals, so there is little evidence in humans.

Does Peruvian maca reduce stress?

According to a publication in the Peruvian Journal of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, the methanolic extract of maca can mitigate or suppress stress-induced alterations in homeostasis. In addition, it is considered that the biological properties of maca could be related to its antioxidant activity and its polyphenol content.

Is Peruvian maca energizing?

Due to its rich composition, which includes proteins, unsaturated fatty acids and essential minerals, maca is recognized for its qualities as an adaptogen, which implies that it can contribute to increase energy levels and endurance, as well as help to mitigate the symptoms of stress and the feeling of tiredness. This is evidenced in a final thesis by Yanira Farrais Delgado from the Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology at the University of La Laguna in Spain.

What is the recommended amount of maca per day?

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) reported that the recommended intake of maca for adults is between 1.5 and 3.5 grams per day, administered orally over periods ranging from 6 to 16 weeks.

To determine the appropriate dosage according to a particular condition, the agency recommends always consulting a health professional.

How is Peruvian Maca consumed?

Peruvian maca offers versatility in its consumption and can be integrated into the diet in different ways. For example, it can be added as a powder in smoothies, juices, yogurts and breakfast mixes or integrated in capsules as a nutritional supplement with the appropriate dosage.

Similarly, another option is in processed form as flour for bakery and confectionery products. A common consumption is in the form of liquid extract, which is suitable for combining with beverages.

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