General Information

If you follow the latest health and nutrition news, you’ve no doubt heard of the many nutrient-rich superfoods and their benefits. A starchy Peruvian tuber, maca commonly ranks near the top of most superfood lists. Read on to learn more about this amazing supplement.

The hardy maca plant (Lepidium meyenii) thrives high in the Peruvian Andes Mountains in poor soil and extreme weather. The Incas domesticated maca approximately 2,000 years ago and began cultivating this plant for its many nutritional and medicinal benefits. A root vegetable like the potato, maca resembles a turnip or beet root. Ancient mountain dwellers commonly ate boiled maca to maintain overall health, and Inca warriors ingested it to boost their energy for sports and battle. In addition, due to its fertility-enhancing properties, ancient shamans employed maca in fertility ceremonies. Spanish settlers in Peru first documented the Incas’ use of maca in the 16th century. In recent decades, cultivation of this superfood in Peru has greatly increased to meet a growing demand worldwide. Nowadays, you can buy maca in most health-food stores.

What Makes Maca a Superfood?

Maca abounds with antioxidants, minerals, B-vitamins, amino acids, beneficial fats, fiber and enzymes and boasts 60 micronutrients. In addition, maca is an adaptogen, a substance that works best when taken regularly in small amounts over time as a tonic; an adaptogen balances, supports and enhances the functioning of multiple body systems, treating all systems that need balancing. Maca especially benefits the endocrine system, including the pituitary and adrenal glands and the hypothalamus. Balancing these primary endocrine glands in turn balances the testes, ovaries and pancreas. Maca also supports the immune, circulatory, digestive and nervous systems. A multivitamin in itself, maca has earned a reputation as a superfood.

9 Health Benefits

Not surprisingly, maca offers numerous health benefits:

1. For athletes, maca boosts stamina, endurance and energy.
2. In addition, maca’s natural plant sterols increase muscle strength and mass; bodybuilders can employ this superfood in place of anabolic steroids.
3. Furthermore, maca improves fertility and sexual functioning and increases libido, earning this superfood the nickname “Peruvian ginseng.”
4. Since it balances male and female sex hormones, maca also treats PMS and menopause symptoms as well as erectile dysfunction.
5. This superfood also counteracts fatigue and stress,
6. enhances memory,
7. and boosts mental and emotional health.
8. Finally, maca relieves stiff joints in arthritis sufferers and
9. fights respiratory disorders and cancer.

You can find a few more benefits here, here, here and here.

Incorporating Maca Into Your Diet

Traditionally, Peruvians eat boiled maca as a food, but, in many parts of the world, you can only find maca in powdered, extract, or pill form. Some maca powders contain added spices for additional flavor. Some health-food stores also carry teas, nut butters and other products containing maca. You can incorporate maca into your diet by adding it to shakes, juices, smoothies or recipes for raw cookies, ice creams and other desserts.

For standardized maca extract, the commonly recommended dosage is 300 mg three times daily. Since maca pills, extracts and powders are far more concentrated than the boiled roots, many nutritionists recommend using them sparingly. One teaspoon per day of maca powder taken regularly over time provides an excellent tonic for the body’s systems without the risk of overconsuming this powerful supplement. Oh – and when using maca you will notice a difference in the smell of your pee. It’s normal.

Maca Smoothie Recipe

The following smoothie recipe incorporates maca root and makes a healthy, energy-boosting snack. To prepare this drink, place all the ingredients in a blender and blend them together for one minute or longer, depending on your blender’s power. Serve this delicious smoothie in a tall glass.

Energizing Chocolate Smoothie

• 1 cup hazelnut or almond milk
• ¼ cup chopped dates
• 2 tablespoons chopped dinosaur kale
• 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
• 2 teaspoons raw cacao nibs
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract or powder
• ½ teaspoon bee pollen
• ½ teaspoon powered maca root
• 4 ice cubes

And another one, this time as usual with video instructions. For this one you will need:

• 1/4 cup cacao nibs
• 1 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 2 tbsp hemp seeds
• 1 tbsp maca powder
• 1 banana
• 1 cup dates
• Hemp milk to taste

Apart from maca this smoothie has load of other “good for you” ingredients. Enjoy!