Health Benefits of Maca

Why We Love Maca: Top Benefits of this Amazing Adaptogenic Herb

Plants are powerful sources of nutrients. They provide essential nourishment to your body and can support specific functions. Maca root is one of them and why you will find it in all 3 Higher Powder blends.

Maca is a superfood that has been grown and used in some parts of the world for centuries and is currently gaining popularity all over.

Why We Love Maca

As a caffeine-free, plant-based superfood, it's hard not to love Maca. Not only can Maca root contribute to overall well-being, but it is also believed to balance hormone levels, maintain energy, and support a healthy libido.

This versatile adaptogenic herb helps your body adapt and deal with different stressors so you can have energy but also support your body.

Maca, Lepidium meyenii, is an indigenous Andean vegetable that has been grown and cultivated as a root crop for at least 2,000 years.

Used both nutritionally and medicinally, Maca grows wild in Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina, but has primarily been cultivated in the highlands of the Peruvian Andes.

Even though Maca has become quite popular in the last decade — and deservedly so — it has been used as an important food since the days of the Inca warriors in Peru.

Defining Adaptogenic Herbs

We mentioned above that Maca is an adaptogenic herb, but before we move on, we are going to explain just what that means.

Adaptogenic herbs (or adaptogens) are defined as agents that support the body’s ability to accommodate varying physical and emotional stresses. It is also said that these are plants with a nonspecific action that exert a normalizing influence on the body.

Adaptogenic herbs have traditionally been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine and are still used to support energy levels and the stress response system.

KEY BENEFITS OF MACA

Supports Energy and Mood

Maca root has been shown to provide sustained energy throughout the day without the jittery crash of caffeine, which can help you feel more awake so you're able to focus on the things that matter.

Maca has also been shown to help athletes maintain their energy. In one study, benefits were seen in a 40 kilometer cycling time trial after two weeks of Maca extract supplementation.

What does Maca root have to do with mood? By maintaining positive energy levels throughout the day, Maca may also help improve mood.

Supports a Healthy Libido

Known as a prized aphrodisiac, Maca root supports sexual health and optimizes healthy performance.

Maca has been shown in clinical studies to support men's reproductive health, including healthy sexual libido and function as well as normal prostate function throughout many ages and stages of life.

But it’s not just beneficial for men. In fact, an article by Harvard Health Publishing notes:

“At MGH [Massachusetts General Hospital], we have conducted two preliminary studies that suggest Maca root extracts may boost libido, particularly in postmenopausal women.”

Supports Sperm Function

Regarding male reproductive health, Maca root has another potential benefit — in one study, it showed improved sperm function.

In this study performed on rats, black and yellow Maca were found to increase sperm count and movement. The same results were found in a study with nine human male participants.

Although this needs to be studied further for conclusive results, this was an exciting early finding for men’s reproductive health.

Maca Root Has a Long History of Use for Supporting Women's Reproductive Function

As we alluded to earlier, the benefits Maca root provides in the bedroom aren’t reserved only for men. This herb is also believed to tonify the female reproductive system, support arousal and sexual desire, and may also help with fertility.

Because of this, we turned to Maca root, along with other herbs, to formulate all 3 Higher Powder blends which support a healthy drive to help women maintain their - let's say spark.

Maca root provides other benefits for women in every life stage, as well. First, it has been shown to help support hormonal issues, including PMS, menopause, and hot flashes.

It has also been studied clinically to support a balanced transition through menopause, and it does so without particularly influencing sex hormone levels. Studies have shown that Maca may also support psychological health and sexual function in postmenopausal women.

Maca Root May Help Balance Hormone Levels

Many people think only of the reproductive organs when they think of “hormones.” But the truth is that hormones come from endocrine glands all over your body.

Hormones constantly play a part in many processes including metabolism, cognitive function, mood, and regulation of hunger and thirst.

By nourishing the adrenal glands, Maca Root can help maintain balanced hormone levels. As an adaptogenic herb, Maca supports normal hormone production and supports the body's natural liver detoxification.

Maca Root is a Superfood

Maca root is a nutritional powerhouse, providing key macro and micronutrients, and unique plant compounds to support an active human body.

When it comes to macronutrients, dry Maca is 59% carbohydrates, 10.2% proteins, 8.5% fiber, and 2.2% lipids.

As far as micronutrients go, Maca root is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, copper, and zinc. And, compared to white potatoes, Maca root boasts higher levels of iron and calcium. It contains all eight essential amino acids and plenty of phytonutrients, too.

How to Make Maca Root Part of Your Diet

The good news is that you don’t have to move to the Andes to make this plant a part of your diet. We have added it to all 3 blends so you can reap the benefits with tasty flavor options.