The Maca plant belongs to the radish family and has been in cultivation for over 10,000 years. This plant is generally cultivated on the mountains of Peru, earning it the name ‘Peruvian Ginseng.’ The value of this amazing plant doesn’t merely extend to medicinal purposes, but even today, with the modernization and technological developments, this plant is high demand around the world.
Long ago, the Incas discovered the amazing potency of this plant, and began using and prescribing it as an ideal preparation for battles to improve their endurance and strength.
Benefits
Listing down the benefits of Maca root, and its powder as an ideal supplement is not easy; there’s too much to list down.
The Maca plant is an amazing endocrine adaptogen-it doesn’t itself produce hormones, but gets the endocrine system going and stimulates it to balance the production of hormones as required by the body.
Taking Maca root powder as a supplement can lend you many health benefits. We’ve listed down some of them-
- It May Help regulate hormonal imbalances
- May reduce depression
- May Reduces anxiety
- It May Improve sexual function in both men and women
- It may Regulate menstrual cycle
- It may enhance fertility
- It may decrease the severity of hormonal dysfunction occurring during andropause and menopause
- It may Enhance libido
- It may Increases general energy, strength and endurance
- It may relieve chronic exhaustion
- It may Increase stamina
- Comprised of 18% proteins, It may Help build muscle
- May Help maintain strong teeth and bones
- May Boost memory and improves learning ability
There are many uses worldwide for maca root. In some areas it is used as a food supplement and in China used a folkloric medicine. As with any supplement always consult with your doctor before using.
Nutrient profile
With a high nutritional profile, Maca root has many benefits to offer. Dini et al (1994) y Li et al (2001) have listed down the chemical composition of Maca root as 59% carbohydrates, 10.2% protein, 8.5% fiber, 2.2% lipids.
Maca also contains many essential amino acids including proline, sarcosine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, methionine, valine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, serine etc.
