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5 Benefits Of Maca Root Powder

You’ve probably seen it lurking on a shelf in the shops, or heard a friend raving about maca root – so what’s the fuss? Quite a bit, actually. Let’s get into it!

For thousands of years, Peruvians have used maca as food and medicine. In fact, if you pop over to Peru for a visit, you’ll see maca root featured in beer, sweet porridge, bread, cakes, and even as a coffee substitute when it's roasted. It has a distinctive earthy, nutty caramel or malt-like flavour. 

A hardy little helper, maca root is sometimes referred to as Peruvian ginseng.

 

So, is maca good for you?

Maca as medicine has a long history. This tuber is packed with fibre, vitamins, minerals and amino acids, as well as plant chemicals. It’s also praised for being high in iron to build hormones and haemoglobin, has Vitamin B6 for energy, Vitamin C to boost immunity and skin, and copper to help brain function.


Other maca perks


May boost libido
  • According to some research, people who have a low libido (or low sex drive) may benefit from taking concentrated maca supplements.
Fights free radical
  • Maca supports and promotes antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants are essential in helping to fight free radicals, which harm your body’s cells. Antioxidents help prevent cancer and heart disease.
Eases menopause symptoms
  • Going through menopause can be difficult, no thanks to symptoms like hot flashes, headaches, mood swings and vaginal dryness. Menopause is brought on by a natural decrease in oestrogen as women age. While there isn’t concrete evidence that maca can make menopause smooth sailing, some people do report some relief fromthe symptoms. 
Mood booster
  • Maca contains flavonoids, which are known to elevate your mood and lessen anxiety. 
Help for erectile dysfunction
  • Maca might increase sperm quality in some ways. A small study showed that taking two grams of maca each day for 12 weeks significantly improved semen concentration.


Maca mix

Browse through the health food section at the pharmacy and speak to the pharmacist about maca to get more information. There are many formulations, including powder, flour, extracts and supplements. Maca powder is the most-used form of this plant. You could try adding maca powder to smoothies oroatmeal, or drinking it by itself as a hot beverage.

 

Takeaway

There are many possible health benefits of maca, especially for sexual wellbeing. But as always, do your research, speak to your pharmacist and stop taking it if you experience side-effects. 

References:

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Always check with your doctor or medical practitioner about any health concerns, before embarking on any fitness or nutrition programme, and usage of any medication.