What is Maca Root Powder?
The Maca plant has been cultivated for thousands of years for nutritional and medicinal purposes. Native to the Peruvian Andes, the plants famous of being the 'Superfood of the Andes'.
 
Why should I take Maca Root Powder?
It’s packed with vitamin C, vitamin B6, riboflavin and iron, which help to reduce tiredness and fatigue* – helping to power you through your day.
Helps contribute to the normal function of the immune system*, perfect for keeping you fit and healthy after the most intense workouts.
 
Maca AND Libido: The most well-known benefit of maca root is its potential to increase libido. There is some scientific evidence to support this claim.
 
A 2015 study found that maca root may help reduce sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women who were taking an antidepressant (1).
 
Reducing erectile dysfunction:
Maca root could also have benefits for people with erectile dysfunction (ED). A small study in 2009 looked at the effect of consuming 2.4g of maca root per day for 12 weeks on participants’ perception of their general and sexual well-being (2).
 
 
Boosting energy and endurance
Maca is found to boost energy and endurance. A pilot studey in 2009 that envolved athletes and bodybuilders, results have shown that Maca root as a supplement can increase energy and performance (3).
 
 
Increasing fertility:
Another widespread use of maca root is to increase fertility, particularly in men. 
A 2016 review found some evidence that maca root may increase semen quality in both fertile and infertile men (4).
 
 
Improving mood:
Maca contains flavonoids, which are thought to improve mood and reduce anxiety. A study in 14 postmenopausal women found that maca may reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.Also, a 2015 study found that maca could reduce symptoms of depression in Chinese postmenopausal women (5).
 
Reducing blood pressure
A 2015 study also found that 3.3g of maca per day for 12 weeks lowered blood pressure in Chinese postmenopausal women (6).
 
Fighting free radicals:
Maca root also promotes natural antioxidants in the body, such as glutathione and superoxide dismutase.
Antioxidants help to fight off free radicals, which can damage cells in the body.
 
Reducing menopause symptoms:
Some proponents of maca root believe it may help balance levels of the hormone estrogen. During perimenopause, the stage before a woman reaches menopause, estrogen levels fluctuate and cause a variety of symptoms.
One study found that postmenopausal women who took two daily tablets containing maca experienced reduced symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats (7).
 
 Improving learning and memory:
There is some evidence to suggest that maca can improve learning and memory. For example, a 2011 study found that maca could improve memory in mice.
A 2014 review of the literature suggested that maca may have benefits for learning and memory performance. Researchers suggested that it could be helpful in treating conditions that affect these processes, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
However, only research on animal models is currently available, so it is unclear whether maca will have the same benefits in humans (8).
 
 
 
Reference:
1 - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4411442/
2- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1439-0272.2008.00892.x
3- http://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/2648/1/A%20pilot%20investigation%20into%20the%20effect%20of%20maca%20supplementation%20on%20physical%20activity%20and%20sexual%20desire%20in%20sportsmen.pdf.
4-https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27621241
5- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24931003.
6- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24931003
7- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3614644/
8- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115300162