Maca or Peruvian Ginseng

The maca plant is also called Peruvian ginseng. It mainly grows in the Peruvian Andes in harsh conditions. Maca is a cruciferous vegetable and it has a long history of culinary and medicinal use in Peru. The edible part is the root and can come in different colours. The taste of maca powder is earthy and nutty and it is a delicious add to smoothies, oatmeal and sweet treats.

Research on maca is in its early stages and many of the studies are small, done in animals and sponsored by companies that produce or sell maca.

Maca root powder is very nutritious, low in fat and contains a fair amount of fiber. It’s also high in some essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, copper and iron and many bioactive compounds.

Research has demonstrated that maca can improve sexual desire and semen quality in both infertile and healthy men.

Maca can improve some symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes and disrupted sleep.

Supplementing with maca may improve exercise performance, particularly during endurance events. However, its effects on muscle mass and strength have yet to be studied.

It has been proposed that the effect of red maca on the prostate is linked to its high amount of glucosinolates. These substances are also associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.

While yellow maca is the most readily available type, darker types like red and black may possess different biological properties.

Maca is generally considered safe. However, Peruvian natives believe that consuming fresh maca root may have adverse health effects and recommend boiling it first.

Additionally, if you have thyroid problems, you may want to be careful with maca because it contains goitrogens.