Maca powder is made from the root vegetable of the Lepidium meyenii plant, which is native to the Peruvian Andes. It has a long history in natural health, with indigenous communities cultivating the plant to reap its purported health benefits. These days it’s known as a superfood that boasts a high nutrient content and a long list of associated health benefits.
Maca is considered a cruciferous vegetable, meaning it’s related to veggies like cabbage, kale, broccoli and radish and is deemed to be high in nutrients like vitamins A & C, various minerals, antioxidants and dietary fibre. Known in the health sphere as an adaptogen, maca is used as a natural supplement to help balance hormones, manage the body’s response to physical and emotional stress, support the body’s natural immune function, and most famously as a natural way to boost libido.
This is the most common benefit associated with maca powder. For years men and women looking for a boost in libido and a natural way to improve their sexual function have turned to maca powder. Anecdotal evidence suggests maca powder is an effective natural supplement that can have positive effects on libido and sexual function, however health professionals aren’t yet convinced.
Various studies have suggested maca may be beneficial for improving sexual dysfunction, with this double blind, randomised study confirming as much. However a systematic review on the effects of maca for improving sexual function concluded there is limited evidence to support its benefits with just two out of four randomised clinical trial groups showing a significant positive effect.
The natural reduction in estrogen women going through menopause experience can lead to an array of unpleasant symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, and disrupted sleep just to name a few. A systematic review into the effectiveness of maca for the treatment of menopausal symptoms found favourable results for all randomised clinical trials, however the review cautioned more study into maca powder’s effects on menopausal women is required to achieve definitive results.
There’ve been countless studies into the benefits of maca powder, particularly pertaining to its ability to boost energy - one of the main reasons health goers incorporate it into their diet. This study looked at a group of endurance athletes who took maca powder for a two week period. Results showed positive effects on their endurance with participants improving their performance time.
Research has revealed maca shows potential as a natural supplement to help improve psychological symptoms in postmenopausal women. A randomised controlled trial concluded comparable results to previous studies, with maca consumption appearing to reduce symptoms of depression and diastolic blood pressure in one group of patients studied. And this study reported preliminary findings that maca reduces psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression.
Overall, more studies are needed for definitive answers on the associated health benefits of incorporating maca powder into a healthy diet.
Maca has a unique flavour profile. Slightly earthy and a little bit butterscotch, it’s pretty versatile and doesn’t need to be relegated to the smoothie ingredients shelf in your pantry. It goes surprisingly well in lots of recipes, from overnight oats and chocolate bark to golden lattes and chocolate mylk.
Here’s a look at our pick of some of the best recipes from around the web that include a dash of magical maca.
Food Matters know the power of a quality chocolate milk - it’s all in the ingredients. Blending antioxidant-filled cacao beans, protein-rich cashews, nutrient-packed maca and other good-for-you ingredients this Chocolate Milk recipe is full of flavour and incredibly nutritious. Or, try their soul satisfying take on Chocolate Bark. With just five ingredients and four simple steps it’s easy to whip up and even easier to devour.
Bust any pent up tension with a delicious Maca Latte from food-genius Sam Wood and his team. Using two powerful adaptogens, maca and ashwagandha, this golden milk latte will whisk you away to stress-free heaven.
For a tasty treat while on the go add a bit of maca to these yummy looking Energy Bliss Balls from fitness queen Kayla Itsines. Packed with protein-rich nuts and seeds, sweetened with dates, and coated in crushed pistachios you’ll be snacking on a powerhouse of nutrients.
And if you simply want to incorporate maca into your every-day meals try adding a spoonful to overnight oats, smoothies, pancakes, cereal, coffee, and more.
While the jury is out on some of the purported health benefits of maca powder, its nutrient density is undeniable. Just a few tablespoons provides more than the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, and a decent amount of essential minerals like copper, iron, potassium, and manganese to name a few.
Just one tablespoon (approximately 28g) of maca root powder contains an impressive amount of nutrients.
Here are the stats:
Calories: | 91 |
Carbs: | 20g |
Protein: | 4g |
Fiber: | 2g |
Fat: | 1g |
Vitamin C: | 133% of the RDI |
Copper: | 85% of the RDI |
Iron: | 23% of the RDI |
Potassium: | 16% of the RDI |
Vitamin B6: | 15% of the RDI |
Manganese: | 10% of the RDI |
Considered a good source of carbohydrates and rich in a wide variety of vitamins and essential minerals including iron, copper, and potassium, maca is a natural-food powerhouse.
Maca powder is an incredibly nutritious supplement that can be easily incorporated into your diet. It boasts a an array of health benefits, is considered an adaptogen, and provides a high amount of essential vitamins and minerals. The powder has a long history as a health food with proponents regularly incorporating it into their diet to reap the rewards. It may not be suitable for everyone, so consulting with your doctor prior to making any changes to your diet is always recommended.
While more study is needed maca is generally considered safe to consume regularly. Most recommendations suggest a teaspoon or so per day is the ideal amount for anyone looking to incorporate maca powder into their diet. General consensus is that there are groups of people who maca is potentially not suitable for, including pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with thyroid issues and some medications. As always, consult your doctor.
Adding between a teaspoon to a tablespoon of maca powder to a smoothie is the standard in recipes. Start out small, you can always add more!
Maca powder is made from the root of the Lepidium meyenii plant, native to the Peruvian Andes. It’s considered a nutrition powerhouse and is packed with essential vitamins and minerals, is high in carbs, and has a decent amount of fibre and protein.
Proponents credit this magical powder with a long list of health benefits including increasing libido, boosting energy, improving mood and more.
Incorporating maca powder into your diet is incredibly easy, with the flavourful supplement adding a delightful nutty butterscotch flavour to recipes. Try it in smoothies, porridge, cakes, bliss balls, and more.