Maca Nutrition And Health Benefits

Maca is widely eaten in Peru as a root vegetable and marketed elsewhere in the world as a supplement for increasing energy, stamina, strength and libido. Maca root contains calcium, iron, magnesium and selenium as well as essential fatty acids and 19 amino acids. While widely considered an aphrodisiac, maca does not increase sex hormone levels in humans, but acts on them instead. It contains phytochemicals that act on the central nervous system as well.

Maca is among a variety of plants that contain glucosinolates (like broccoli, cabbage and radishes). In large doses, glucosinolates can affect thyroid function and cause goiters. It is not believed that eating maca will affect thyroid function as most food doses, and especially supplement doses, are small enough to be safe. It is always good practice to ensure you get adequate amounts of iodine in your diet which is essential for proper thyroid function. Sea vegetables such as kelp and dulse are both rich sources of this mineral.

Using Maca In A Smoothie

I recommend that you find a raw, powdered maca supplement if you cannot get access to the dried roots themselves. In most places in the world, you will have to rely on powdered supplements, extracts or “gelatinized” maca. Due to processing, gelatinized maca is not raw.

I find that the powder dissolves well in a smoothie. It has a distinct flavor so if you add more than a tablespoon at a time, you will notice the flavor. The powder itself smells something like butterscotch ads that flavor as well as a hint of nuttiness to your smoothie. It’s not necessarily unpleasant, but I don’t care for the flavor when mixed with certain fruits or if I add more than a tablespoon. Try a little bit and maybe add a banana or some berries to mask the flavor further if it bothers you.

My Experiences With Maca

I have been using maca in my morning green smoothie for a couple of months now. I can attest to the energy and stamina boost I get from it. I add about a tablespoon of Navitas Naturals brand maca root powder that I found at Whole Foods. It is certified organic and raw (it’s been processed at low temperatures). Sunfood brand maca powder is also excellent.

Since I no longer drink coffee, it’s wonderful to get a energetic boost in the morning from my green smoothie. This boost of energy doesn’t have the downsides that caffeine has such as jitters, racing heartbeat and nervousness. It gives me a sustained energy throughout the day – at least it feels that way to me since I don’t “come down” from it like I would from an energy drink.

As for it’s aphrodisiac properties, I can also vouch for it’s potency there as well. I definitely felt a higher-than-normal increase in libido when I started taking it. While it is sometimes called “nature’s viagra”, there have been no clinical studies showing it’s effectiveness for men with sexual dysfunction. Both men and women, however, claim to have an enhanced sex drive from taking maca and my wife and I both found that to be true.

Where To Find Maca

You can get maca pills and powders at certain health food stores. It can be hard to find maca, though. Even in a large city like Chicago, I have found it difficult to find it even in the largest Whole Foods Market. Your best bet is to order it online from David Wolfe’s Sunfood Nutrition.