to-chemicals, mineral and vitamins, which boost vitality, freshness and general wellbeing.
Apart from the major constituents, maca root and other plant parts endowed with health benefiting anthocyanin pigments, alkaloids, tannins, etc.
Maca plant parts traditionally believed to increase energy levels. Ancient Incas used maca root parts to improve fertility and as aphrodisiac and to regulate menopausal and menstruation symptoms.
Researchers working on maca confirmed that certain active compounds like macamides and macaenes are primarily responsible for its physiological actions on the human body.
Maca root powder is an incredibly rich source of vitamins and minerals. 100 g off maca powder consists of calcium- 250 mg, iron- 14.8 mg, potassium-2000 mg, sodium-7.9 mg, copper-6mg and manganese- 0.8 mg. Much of these minerals are integral part of maca nutrition which plays a role as co-factors for the enzymes in the metabolic functions.
Commercial maca products have gained popularity as dietary supplements for aphrodisiac purposes and for increasing fertility and stamina. However, scientific evidence on its effectiveness is limited.
Traditionally used as a staple food by the indigenous tribes, maca root later transcended as chief medicinal herb under the Inca empire when its warriors using it to reveal energy before embarking on battles.
Maca powder used in many Chinese TCM mixed with other synergic herbs like ginseng, spirulina, tribulus, Rhodiola, ashwagandha, etc to combat stress, fatigue, nervous weakness, and to improve muscle strength, sexual performance, etc.
|Principle||Nutrient Value||% of RDA|
|Total Fat||3.6 g||16%|
Traditionally, maca roots are harvested by hand once their top greens turn yellow. Fresh roots are usually available only from the farmers near its cultivation.
In the US markets, dried tubers, powder, and chunks in vacuum packs can be readily available from specialty food stores.
Look for the uniform-sized, well-dried roots in authentic packages. Fresh roots keep well for several days in the cold storage. Dried maca root and powder can be stored for several months.
Fresh roots eaten baked like other taproots like turnips. Dried roots soaked for few hours in lukewarm water to revive their texture.
Today, however, much of the maca crop is utilized by the pharmaceutical industries to process and market as food-supplement instead of vegetables.
Novelty maca products drinks, energy bars, or as additive in smoothie or chocolate drinks.
Maca root, being a member of broccoli family vegetables, does not cause many toxic problems if consumed in moderate quantities. (Medical disclaimer).
Conumption of maca root has not been established to treat thyroid dysfunctions. On the contrary, being a brassica family vegetable, maca contains goitrogens, and may, in fact, may worsen hypothyroidism and should be consulted with physicians before using maca supplements.
Maca root is a kind of underground, taproot (hypocotyl) of plant L. meyenii, native to highland mountain plateus of Peru.
In a way similar to the other taproots such as turnips, parsnips, etc, maca root nutrition consists of basic calorific (ex; carbohydrates) and phytochemical nutritional profile like some anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals. Fresh roots carry slightly more calories than turnips and potatoes. Once dried, its calorific value per 100 g is equal to cereal grains like wheat and rice.
Some pharmaceutical trial studies suggest that the consumption of maca root products would help improve sexual vigor in men and women. However, further research studies required to substantiate this claim.
Ancient indigenous and Inca people chiefly used maca as basic food source; dry as well as fresh roots often barterd in exchange for corn, potato, pulses and meat with lowland people. So, native Andeans treated it more as a food item than a "novel fitness root".
Although, maca carries number of anti-oxidant compounds, its value is no way closer to other antioxidant rich superfoods such as cinnamon, blueberries, etc as claimed by some companies, websites, and articles.