Hello Moms,

The maca plant, known scientifically as Lepidium meyenii, is sometimes referred to as Peruvian ginseng. It mainly grows in the Andes of central Peru, in harsh conditions and at very high altitudes — above 13,000 feet (4,000 meters). Maca is a cruciferous vegetable and therefore related to broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale. It has a long history of culinary and medicinal use in Peru (healthline.com).

it has lots of health benefits which includes but not limited to:

1. Rich in Antioxidants: Maca root acts as a natural antioxidants, boosting levels of antioxidants like glutathione and superoxide dismutase in the body. Antioxidants help neutralize harmful free radicals, fighting off chronic disease and preventing damage to cells (drake.com)

2. It Improves Female Sexual Health: Multiple studies have confirmed that maca benefits female sexual health through several different mechanisms. Maca root may be able to improve sexual dysfunction and boost sex drive in women. One study looked at the effects of maca root on post-menopausal women with sexual dysfunction caused by the use of antidepressants. Compared to a placebo, maca root was able to significantly improve sexual function. Another study had similar findings, reporting that maca was well-tolerated and able to improve libido and sexual function (draxe.com)

3. Increases fertility in Men: When it comes to male fertility, sperm quality and quantity is very important. There is some evidence that maca root increases men’s fertility.

4. Relieve Symptoms of Menopause: Menopause is defined as the time in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently. The natural decline in estrogen that occurs during this time can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms.

5. Enhances Energy, Mood and Memory

Those who regularly use maca powder report that it makes them feel more awake, energized and driven, often relatively quickly after beginning to use it. Plus, maca can help increase energy without giving you the “jitters” or a sense of shakiness like high level of caffeine can.

Maca is easy to incorporate into your diet. It can be taken as a supplement or added to smoothies, oatmeal, baked goods, energy bars and more.The optimal dose for medicinal use has not been established. However, the dosage of maca root powder used in studies generally ranges from 1.5–5 grams per day (healthline.com)

Maca contains 10% water, 59% carbohydrates, 10 to 14% protein, 8.5% dietary fiber, and 2.2% fat. A 7 g (1 tablespoon) serving of maca root powder contains 20 calories, 4 g carbohydrates, 1 g protein, and 0 g fat. Maca is rich in calcium, potassium, iron, and iodine. It also contains copper, manganese, zinc, vitamin C, riboflavin (vitamin B2), and thiamine (vitamin B1). Maca contains 20 different fatty acids (including linolenic, palmitic, and oleic acids), and 19 amino acids.Red and black maca have high levels of choline. Red maca is high in GABA.