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The maca root plant, also known as Lepidium meyenii or Peruvian Ginseng, is native to
Peru. Maca grows high in the Andes mountains. Some farmers are also now growing it in Brazil, Bolivia, and China. It’s actually a cruciferous vegetable — like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale — but the edible part is the root, hence the name. In addition to being a food, maca has also been used medicinally for centuries to increase fertility, enhance energy, and stabilize mood.
Maca root somewhat resembles a beet, radish, or even a garlic bulb. Varieties are reddish-purple, yellowish-white, or even black in color, with greens growing out of the top.
Some people find that maca has an odor similar to butterscotch or caramel — but it doesn’t taste like them. Maca gives dishes an earthy or nutty flavor. Peruvians traditionally roast or bake the root, but the majority of people today consume maca in powdered form.
Maca Nutrition
Like other root and cruciferous vegetables, maca is low in fat and contains a lot of fiber. Maca also offers plant-based protein and important vitamins and minerals, like calcium, potassium, copper, iron, B vitamins, and vitamin C, as well as other antioxidants.
28 grams (2 Tbsp) of maca root powder has the following nutritional profile:
- 91 calories
- 4 grams of protein
- 20 grams of total carbohydrates
- 9 grams of total sugars
- 1 gram of total fat
- 133% DV of vitamin C
- 84% DV of copper
- 23% DV of iron
- 16% DV of potassium
- 16% DV of vitamin B6
- 11% DV of manganese
- 8% DV of niacin
- 7% DV of calcium
- 6% DV of riboflavin
That’s a decent amount of nutrients packed in a small amount of powder. So given its nutritional benefits, what overall health benefits does maca offer?
8 Potential Health Benefits of Maca Root
Maca root’s gain in popularity is largely due to its purported health benefits. Just a few of its proported benefits include boosting energy, fertility, and libido, protecting your skin and bones, and even improving your memory.
Experimental studies support some of these claims, but it’s important to note that most of the studies to date are either small, were done on animals (Animal studies are often cruel. And last time I checked, there were a few differences between humans and rats.), or sponsored by companies with a vested interest in maca products.
So, in some regards, the “jury is still out” on the health benefits of maca root. And more study is necessary. But what we know so far is promising. And many people swear by maca as an important part of their diet and lifestyle.
Here are seven popular health claims about maca root that have some research to back them up.
1. Boosts Libido & Fertility
This is probably the best-known purported benefit of maca. It’s also perhaps one of the main reasons many people are trying it. A 2002 study published in Andrologia foundthat men who consumed 1.5 or 3 grams of maca powder daily experienced an increase in libido, compared to men given a placebo. And in 2015, a study was published that found maca root beneficial helps to improve the libido of postmenopausal women who were on antidepressants.
Likewise, in 2010, a review of four randomized clinical studies that included a total of 131 people was conducted — finding that maca could improve libido after consuming it for six weeks. And a 2009 pilot study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that maca extract didn’t improve sports performance for male distance cyclists any more than a placebo after two weeks. But the male cyclists taking maca reported significantly higher levels of sexual desire at the end of the two weeks than the control group.
Maca root may also help in some cases of erectile dysfunction (ED) and fertility issues in men. A small 2009 study published in Andrologia found that men with mild ED who took 2.4 grams of maca daily for 12 weeks reported a significant improvement. Use of maca may also improve semen quality in both fertile and infertile men, according to a 2016 review.
2. Relieves Symptoms of Menopause
During menopause, women experience a natural but often dramatic shift in levels of estrogen, which causes many uncomfortable symptoms. So, how does maca fit in? Many people believe that maca can help relieve some of these symptoms by rebalancing estrogen levels. Interestingly, a 2006 study published in the International Journal of Biomedical Science found that maca helped balanc hormone levels in 34 postmenopausal women who took two maca-containing tablets per day. They reduced their symptoms of hot flashes and night sweats compared to a placebo group.
3. Improves Mood
Maca root contains flavonoids, or compounds known to have antioxidant properties and possible antidepressant activity. A 2015 study published in Climacteric found that when 29 Chinese women took 3.3 grams per day of maca for six weeks, they experienced an improvement in depression. And in a horribly cruel 2014 study (that I do not ethically condone), researchers found that rats who were given either 250 or 500 mg/kg of maca powder for six weeks after exposure to a barrage of stressors experienced antidepressant-like effects, compared with a control group given the antidepressant fluoxetine. The researchers attributed this effect to the antioxidant activity of maca.
4. Protects Bone Health
Some animal studies indicate that maca can be used to protect bone health. This could be especially important in postmenopausal women, who are at an increased risk for developing osteoporosis. One 2010 study done with rats found that red and black maca was the most effective at protecting bones, while yellow maca did not have as much impact. Another study in 2009 found that maca supplementation improved bone metabolism in female rats.
5. May Protect You From the Sun
Maca contains compounds that may prevent ultraviolet damage to your skin. This was demonstrated in a 2008 study using rats, in which the rats who had maca extract topically applied to their skin received protection from UV rays, compared to the commercial sunscreen control group. A very similar study using maca leaf extract on rats found the same results in 2011 and attributed the effects to polyphenol antioxidant activity and free radical inhibition. Because these effects have only been seen using animal studies, and only with topical application, more research is needed to figure out if maca can prevent UV damage in humans as well.
6. Improves Your Brain Function
Some people are trying maca in hopes of restoring memory or improving their learning capacity. Some animal studies show this potential, but more research is needed to apply it to humans. For instance, a 2011 study of mice found that maca improved their memory, after consumption of 20% alcohol, when finding their way through a maze. Rats in another 2006 study experienced improvement in latent learning, especially with black maca root. And in 2014, a review was done on the impact of medicinal plants on memory, in which researchers proposed that maca had such potential for improving memory and learning that it could have future applications in Alzheimer’s treatment.
7. May Have Prostate Benefits
Enlargement of the prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is common as men get older and can cause problems when passing urine. Some animal studies suggestthat red maca may help reduce enlarged prostate glands. Furthermore, red maca is full of compounds called glucosinolates, which have been studied for their ability to lowerprostate cancer risk.
How to Eat Maca Root
There are several ways to enjoy maca root. In the U.S. and other developed countries, people enjoy maca in powdered form, adding it to things like smoothies, oatmeals, baked goods, yogurt, and soups. Maca supplements are also available and sold as capsules and powders. In Peru, they drink it as a sweet, fermented drink called maca chicha.
So what does maca taste like? It depends on who you ask. Some people think maca powder tastes like caramel or has a delicious malt-like flavor that works well in smoothies and other beverages. Others have an opposite reaction, finding that maca tastes too earthy, or even slightly like rotting wood. It sounds to me like the true taste of maca is almost as polarizing as the great cilantro debate.
Where to Find Maca Root
Maca root may not be as prevalent in local supermarkets as apples and bananas, but more and more retailers are starting to stock it due to consumer interest. If you don’t see it at your mainstream grocer, you might have better luck at a health food store. And, of course, you can find powdered forms online and order it that way too.
Note that some maca root powder comes gelatinized, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it contains added gelatin. In this case, gelatinization is a process by which sun-dried maca roots are boiled to remove the starches, making them easier to digest. If you’re concerned, check the label for gelatin. Many maca products will also state that they are vegan.
With the global commercialization of maca, it’s a good idea to look for organic and fair trade maca when possible too. That way, you can avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides. And so you can have confidence that your purchase is helping rather than hurting the communities growing the maca.
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