Maca Is a cruciferous root vegetable that originally comes from Peru and grows wild in the frigid grounds of the Andes Mountains. It is also commonly referred to as the Peruvian ginseng plant and it’s world-renowned for providing people with energy.
It is a common ingredient in Peruvian cooking that adds flavour to dishes. You can crush Maca into powder and use it as an ingredient in your meals or smoothies. It’s also available throughout the world in its natural form, as a powder and pills.
The Maca is an adaptogenic plant that gives you the ability to fight certain allergic reactions. Besides being a great ingredient for food and smoothies, it also has very many different health benefits.
Types Of Maca Root
there are three different types of Maca root, yellow, black, and red maca. While they share more similarities than differences and are good sources of carbohydrates, fibre, vitamins and minerals. However, each type has its own unique properties and benefits.
Black Maca – this is known as the men’s maca thanks to its positive effects on men’s health. It is also considered the best option of the three. Some of the benefits of black maca include increasing bone density, enhancing stamina and boosting sperm production.
Yellow Maca – Yellow maca is a good source of protein, Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, and C, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, and Calcium. It is especially good for women as it helps balance hormone levels, and alleviates stress.
Red Maca – The red maca is like a hybrid of the black and yellow maca. It offers health benefits that are found in the two species such as boosting fertility, balancing hormones, enhancing stamina and improving bone density. however, it has its own unique properties thanks to its potent antioxidant content. The red maca can fight free radicals which in turn, slows the ageing process and prevents the growth of cancer cells.
Here’s an in-depth look into the various benefits of maca root.
1. Increases libido and improves sexual functions
Maca root has the potential of increasing libido in men since it contains aphrodisiac properties. It also helps in erectile dysfunctions, thus improving one’s sexual function without changing hormone levels. Maca root can also help with sexual dysfunction issues in postmenopausal females that are taking antidepressants. 7 Things That Will Kill Your Sex Drive
2. Helps battle depression
Consuming Maca root for long periods increases dopamine levels which then leads to reduced feelings of depression due to its adaptogenic nature. Maca positively impacts energy and stamina which helps to improve mood. How To Cope With Depression
3. Increased bone density
Maca root contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, a nutrient important for the health of bones. It helps the bone become harder and also helps with the bone structure. Red Maca is perfect for those battling osteoporosis because it has certain qualities that help prevent bone degradation.
4. Good for thyroid functions and metabolism
Autoimmune deficiencies and thyroid complications can help give rise to signs and symptoms, such as low heart rates, lack of appetite, loss of memory, and tiredness. Maca root normalizes our metabolism and returns natural hormone production. Being an adaptogen, it can help people with hyperthyroid conditions.
5. Improved male and female fertility
Maca root helps increase the chances of women conceiving and encourages the survival of embryos for females. As a natural hormone balancer, it regulates females’ cycles and creates a more fertile female pattern with more clearly defined timeframes. In men, it increases sperm concentration, morphology, and sperm motility.
6. Improves athletics performance and builds muscles
Maca root enhances metabolism, promotes muscle growth, builds athletic endurance, and also aids in post-recovery exercise. It also promotes oxygen uptake and encourages your body to work better and more effectively when it has low oxygen.
Athletes using Maca function at their optimum levels for longer without tiring quickly. It also assists them in recovery after exercises with muscle repair, toning, and shaping.
7. Improves memory and learning
Maca contains components that activate brain function and enhances brain activity. It improves cognitive functions, motor coordination, and endurance capacity when consumed daily. Maca root can also help boost anandamides, which are neurotransmitters in the body that binds to your brain’s cannabinoid receptors.
8. Helps with symptoms of perimenopause and menopause
Maca root supports a woman’s body during this period in their life without necessarily changing their estrogen levels. It can help them alleviate certain signs and symptoms, including interrupted and hot flashes.
Maca is available in yellow, red, and black with each providing a unique benefit, but all have antidepressant benefits.
Maca is considered safe for most people. However, those with thyroid conditions, women who are pregnant and these breastfeeding should check with their doctors before consuming it.
This root is also loaded with fibre, protein, and many other great vitamins and minerals, such as copper and iron. It has more than 15 amino acids including the eight essential amino acids.
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