Frequently Asked Maca Questions

Are you looking for a natural way to feel better, look better and improve your health? Have you been considering a supplement like maca to boost immunity, vitality, sexual health and overall wellness? Maca is a powerful superfood that’s cultivated worldwide for its vast health benefits, and despite its global popularity, individuals still ask the question, “What is maca?” Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked maca questions:

What Is Maca?
Maca is a Peruvian root that grows at the top of the mineral-dense Andes Mountains at altitudes reaching over 11,00 feet—making maca the highest growing food on Earth. These high altitudes are often exposed to the harshest elements of the world, and yet, maca still thrives. The elevation, along with severe elements, is thought to give maca its dynamic, health-boosting qualities.

Peruvian natives and Inca imperial warriors have coveted this superfood for thousands of years. Today, maca is used to promote health, vitality, and longevity around the world, and is available in many forms to deliver powerful nutrients that support an array of bodily functions.

What Are the Maca Root Benefits?
Maca is filled with nutrients that support an array of health functions. Maca root benefits many bodily systems and functions. The superfood is one of the few herbs believed to have adaptogen qualities—meaning that maca helps the body handle physical and mental stress better, leaving you less prone to illness and fatigue.

Maca’s complex nutritional profile effectively supports and balances hormones as it nourishes the body from head to toe, resulting in improved:

• Sexual health & vitality
• Energy levels
• Fertility
• Mood & mental health
• Skin & hair
• Strength & stamina
• Concentration & memory
• Menopause & menstrual health
• Immunity
• Hormone health

How Does Maca Work?
Maca is filled with complex phytochemicals and nutrients, including, flavonoids, alkaloids, fatty acids, amino acids, protein, potassium, B vitamins, and more. This nutrient-dense profile supports the central nervous system, circulatory system, muscular system, skeletal system, digestive system, respiratory system, and excretory system—leaving no bodily system untouched. Maca’s makeup helps the body to be balanced, nourished and function effectively.

What Maca Dosage Should I Take?
One thing to keep in mind is that maca is a food, and therefore the most effective maca dosage varies from person to person. Most maca users are satisfied with the benefits they gain from taking about a teaspoon of maca powder daily.

When it comes to capsules, most adult users are recommended to take about 500mg daily. However, consult with a healthcare professional to decide how much maca is right for you.

Is Maca Safe?
Maca is used by people worldwide, and no toxic effects have been reported when consuming maca that was boiled. [1] The USP Dietary Supplements Expert Committee stated in a safety review of Maca, “…no serious adverse events were found during this review for single-ingredient maca products…” Is maca safe? Yes, but be sure to consult a healthcare professional before beginning a new health regimen.

Can Children Take Maca?
Children may take maca, but be sure to consult with a healthcare professional prior to giving your child a maca supplement. For many years, Peruvian children have consumed maca to add complex nutrients to their diet. Adding maca powder to recipes may be a good, convenient way to give your child a boost of vitamins and minerals.

What Forms Does Maca Come In?
Maca comes in cooked, raw, and gelatinized forms that are typically in capsule or powdered form. Peruvian natives generally cook maca before eating, which makes it more easily digested. Gelatinized maca is anther process that involves heating maca at low temperature to make the superfood more digestible. Many maca capsules and powders have gone through some sort of cooking or gelatinized process to ensure easy digestion.

Raw maca has not been exposed to heat. Some argue that consuming raw maca ensures no nutrients are compromised in the heating process. If you experience any digestion discomfort after consuming raw maca, you may want to use a maca supplement that is cook or gelatinized for easier digestion.

What Is the Best Way To Consume Maca?
The best way to consume maca depends greatly on your health needs and preference. Users who would like a convenient way to take maca would likely prefer taking maca pills. Maca pills are a small, convenient way to receive all the benefits that maca offers. In addition, maca capsules can still be broken and put in beverages or food.

Individuals who enjoy adding superfood powders to a smoothie or recipe will likely enjoy maca powder. Maca root powder mixes easily with liquids and other spices for a tasty, nutritious addition to a recipe.

What Does Maca Taste Like?
Maca has a mellow, earthy flavour with light notes of caramel and a slightly bitter after taste. Maca powder is a popular addition to smoothies and beverages, and when mixed with other ingredients, maca powder is hardly detected by the taste buds. Maca root powder mixes and works especially well in soups, sauces, salad dressings and mixed with seasonings.

References:
1. Gonzales, G. F. (2011). Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lipidium Meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands. US national Library of Medicine , PMC3184420.