What is Maca Root?

Growing in the highest plateaus of the Andes mountains of central Peru, Maca Root has been cultivated as a vegetable for 3000 years. It is from the radish family and it has an odor similar with butterscotch. It is cultivated and harvested for its root, from which many medicines are being made.

Natives consume it baked, roasted or as a soup. It is also being made into a fermented drink known as maca chicha. In agriculture, it is a great fertilizer for livestock. It contains many nutritious chemicals, such as fatty and amino acids.

What Is The Nutritional Value Of Maca Root?

The nutritional value of maca root is very high. It is very similar to the one of cereal grains. It contains 60-75% carbohydrates, 10-14% protein, 8.5% dietary fiber, and 2.2% fats. It has many dietary minerals, such as calcium and potassium, but also the essential trace elements: iron, iodine, copper, manganese and zinc. The Incas warriors used it to increase their strength and endurance.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Maca Root?

Western medicine use it for “tired blood”, in new terms known as anemia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), enhancing energy, stamina, athletic performance, memory, and fertility. Women use maca when they are suffering from female hormone imbalance, menstrual problems, and symptoms of menopause.

Weak bones (osteoporosis), depression, stomach cancer, leukemia, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, erectile dysfunction (ED), to increase sexual desire and immune system boosting are also health issues that can be treated with maca root. More than this, it is widely known to increase the sperm’s quality in men.

The trick about maca is that it doesn’t contain hormones, it is an endocrine adaptogen. This means it provides a unique set of nutrients that directly fuel the endocrine system and cause the glands to produce vital hormones in exact dosages the body requires. Its amazing ability to reverse hypothyroidism has conducted scientists to make these discoveries.

What Are The Maca Root Side Effects?

FDA has stated maca is likely safe, especially when taken in foods. In supplements, it has been declared possibly safe. However, as a medicine it has to be taken for three months, 3 grams a day. Many people seem to tolerate maca without any problems. When it comes to pregnant and breastfeeding women, there is not enough information. It seems they should consult a doctor before using it.

Since a new class of foods has been introduced, maca is one of them. Also known as superfoods, these ingredients help humans gain health and improve their functionality. Those who are on a vegan diet should consume maca root, especially because they don’t have where to get their proteins from. A 10 to 14 protein percentage is more than enough for the body to function correctly.

Nowadays, maca is being used by people all over the world, including professional sportsmen and those suffering from health ailments, one of which is hormone imbalance. Not to mention those who need libido enhancement.