Maca Root: A Complete Pros and Cons Guide
Are you looking to improve your health and wondering what superfoods you can chow down on? Are you interested in increasing your wellness through the food on your plate? Let’s talk about how maca root can help.
If you’re currently on a healthy food journey, you need to know about maca root. Maca root is an ancient food with many different health benefits. Maca root is native to Peru and used culturally and nutritionally there.
Maca has stood the test of time and is now available in many different health food stores and superfood products.
Maca is a vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae family alongside broccoli and cabbage. There are many potential health benefits of maca, which we’ll discuss later.
Many people prefer their maca root powdered so that it can be added to different recipes. One popular option is to add a scoop of maca root powder to a morning smoothie. This is a great way to start your day with a wellness boost and an added dose of energy.
Maca root can be beneficial for many reasons, but there are some things you should be aware of if you’re going to be incorporating it into your diet — and we’re here to talk about it all.
Let’s talk about maca root!
What Are the Advantages of Maca Root?
The health benefits of maca root aren’t endless — but they are pretty close to it! Here are just a few of the benefits you may experience when you start including maca root in your daily routine.
Energy Support
One noticeable effect of maca is that it’s great for energy support.* If you’re used to starting your morning with a cup of coffee, consider adding a scoop of maca for an extra source of energy. Those that are looking for analternative to different energy drinks should consider maca, as nutrient-rich plant-based alternative.
Fertility Support
If having kids is in your future, you may consider incorporating maca into your daily routine.
A review was conducted to examine the benefits of maca, and it found that maca may support fertility in men by maintaining semen quality.*
However, more research needs to be conducted before maca can be considered a mainstream approach to fertility support. It is always best to consult your doctor for the most personalized advice.
Supports Healthy Blood Pressure and Mood
Maca root may also help maintain healthy blood pressure and mood.
This speaks to the holistic power of maca, as it may provide benefits for both physical and emotional wellbeing.*
Rich in Iron
Maca is a rich source of iron, making it an excellent way to incorporate more plant-based sources of iron into your diet.
If you’re looking to support your fertility, energy, or add a plant based source of iron into your diet,, maca might be the right choice for you.* Maca can be a great way to incorporate a nutrient-rich botanical into your diet.
We include maca in our Cacao Clarity Superfood Powder alongside reishi and lion’s mane for cognitive support and focus. Simply mix our powder with your favorite plant milk, coffee, or even smoothies for a delicious beverage.
What Are the Disadvantages of Maca Root?
If you’re considering adding maca root to your kitchen, there are a few things you should know. Maca root is widely considered to be safe for most people, but it is still best to have a complete understanding of it before you incorporate it into your diet.
Side Effects
As with everything, moderation is important, and it is essential to make sure you are consuming the right amount of maca in order to see benefits while also finding the right balance for your body.
If you’ve been consuming maca and you’re not getting the results you had hoped for, consider adjusting the amount of maca you’re consuming according to your healthcare provider’s advice. With that said, it’s also important that you’re not consuming too much maca — if you are unsure of how much maca you should consume each day, work with your doctor or a nutritionist to find an appropriate dose.
Taste
Some people love the taste of maca, while others do not. Maca has a very rich, earthy taste. If you’re not ready for the flavor profile, it might catch you off guard.
If you’re not a fan of the taste of maca, then you can intentionally select recipes that will help you mask the flavor. Adding a teaspoon to your morning smoothie shouldn’t have a huge effect on the taste, but it’s a great way to take advantage of the health benefits.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to making healthy choices, it’s important to do research and learn about the foods you’re putting into your body. If you’re ready to take the next step and purchase some maca, find a health foods brand that you trust — like us here at Sunwink.
Incorporating maca root into your diet is a great way to fuel your body with plant-powered wellness, providing you with energy and encouraging balance.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare practitioner before use if pregnant.
Sources:
The "Maca" (Lepidium meyenii), a Little Known Food Plant of Peru | JStor
The effects of aqueous extract of Maca on energy metabolism and immunoregulation | PMC
The use of maca (Lepidium meyenii) to improve semen quality: A systematic review
