Black Maca – Benefits and Usage
Known since ancient times, black Maca has some wonderful medicinal and nutritional properties. However, it has regained the spotlight only recently when people began to re-discover the true benefits and usage of this Maca plant.
What is Black Maca?
Known as Lepidium meyenii in latin, Black Maca was originally grown in the highlands of the Andes Mountain in Peru, near the Lake Junin region.
For thousands of years, the Andean peoples have used Black Maca for its numerous health benefits. It is also referred to as Peruvian ginseng.
Maca is a cruciferous vegetable and belong to broccoli, cauliflower and kale family. Take a look at the physical properties of the vegetable-
LOOKS: Black Maca looks like large radish or small turnip. The root vegetable also resembles to a type of white carrot. About 20cm above the ground, small green leaves grow, makes it an easily identifiable plant.
SHAPE: The roots of the maca plant is the edible part, which varies in size and shape. It can be round, rectangular and even triangular spherical in shape.
COLOUR: The color of the root is generally golden or cream with darker hues of reds, purples and blacks.
FORM: Maca root is generally dried and consumed in powder form. Today it’s also available in form of capsules and as a liquid extract.
TASTE: The taste of maca root powder is not very palatable and often described as earthy and nutty. It is easy to consume and add in smoothies, salads and sweets.
Black Maca Benefits
Black Maca is creating a lot buzz all over the world, primarily due to its health boosting properties.
While detailed research work is still awaited, some studies have suggested the following health benefits.
1. Maca Has High Nutrition Value
Maca root powder is a very good source of vitamins and minerals, amino acids and protein, is fibrous and has less fat content.
It contains copper, iron and various bioactive plant compounds, including glucosinolates and polyphenols. One ounce (28 grams) of maca root powder contains:
Calories: 91
Carbs: 20 grams
Protein: 4 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Fat: 1 gram
Vitamin C: 133% of the RDI
Copper: 85% of the RDI
Iron: 23% of the RDI
Potassium: 16% of the RDI
Vitamin B6: 15% of the RDI
Manganese: 10% of the RDI
2. Black Maca Improves Sex Drive in Men and Women
In today’s stressful world, reduced sexual desire is a common problem among adults.
Boosting libido naturally is possible by Maca plant. Backed with research, Maca is being marketed as an effective source in improving sexual desire.
3. Black Maca For Erectile Dysfunction & Sperm Quality in Men
Erectile dysfunction & low sperm quality and quantity are the most critical factors for low fertility in men.
Black Maca is being touted as the supplement to enhance fertility in men and restoring hormonal balance by improving sperm parameters and production.
Research showed that maca improved semen quality, count, as well as mobility, in both infertile and healthy men..
4. Relieves symptoms of Menopause and Improve Bone ealth
During Menopause, there is a natural decline in estrogen and can cause unpleasant symptoms, like mood swings, sleep disorder, irritable behavior, vaginal dryness, hot flashes and more.
As per some studies, Maca has relieved many menopausal symptoms and improved sleep and reduced hot flashes.
The risk of osteoporosis also increases in women after menopause. Maca can improve bone health reducing that risk too.
5. Black Maca can Improve your Mood
Undergoing studies show that maca can even act as a mood enhancer.
It reduces anxiety levels and symptoms of depression, particularly in menopausal women.
Maca contains plant compounds called flavonoids, which have shown psychological benefits and improvement in mental well-being.
6. Black Maca can Boost Sports Performance and Energy
In the growing trend of using supplements, Maca root powder is gaining popularity among bodybuilders and athletes. It claims to help gain muscle mass, increase power, boost energy and therefore improving sports and exercise performance.
It can be helpful improve endurance, but more studies are awaited.
7. Black Maca may save you from UV rays
When applied to the skin, Maca can help you protect from the damage of ultraviolet (UV) rays. When over exposed, UV radiation can cause wrinkles and increase the risk of skin cancer.
There is some evidence that polyphenol antioxidants and glucosinolates found in Maca can protect against skin damage from UV radiation.
However, remember that Maca is not a substitute of sunscreen lotion.
8. Black Maca may improve learning and memory
Maca may improve brain function. In good old days, it was used by natives of Peru to improve children’s academic performance in school.
Studies have shown that Maca intake can improve learning function, due to active compound content present in it.
The extract of black maca has specially shown positive signs in improving memory.
9. Maca may reduce prostate size
Enlargement of the prostate gland is a common problem with aging in men. As the prostate size increase, it presses on urethra and can block it, causing issues with urination.
This is termed as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
Research on rodents suggest that red maca reduces prostate size. Red maca has high amount of glucosinolates, which is also known to reduce risk of prostate cancer.
Black Maca Dosage
Maca in powder form can be easily added in your diet. Powdered black maca can be sprinkled to porridge, shakes, baked products, energy bars, salads etc.
While more research is needed to prove it, the advisable dosage of maca root powder ranges between 1.5 to 5 grams per day.
You can purchase maca from health stores or supplement stores, super markets and even online retailers. It is available in different forms like powder, capsule form (500 mg) and even as a liquid extract.
Yellow maca is the most commonly available option. But the darker ones like red and black have certain different biological properties, hence can be more useful in certain cases.
Where to Buy Black Maca Root Powder?
Black Maca can be purchased from an online store like Amazon.
Our recommend black maca company is themacateam.com. You can buy black maca from their website or Amazon.
Best Black Maca Powder Brands
Our 3 best black maca root brands are:
1. Raw Certified Organic Black Maca Powder from The Maca Team.
2. Naravis Gelatinized Black Maca Root
3. aSquared Nutrition Pure Black Maca Root Supplement
Black Maca Dangers & Side Effects
Maca is considered to be safe supplement. Although Peruvian people believed that fresh maca roots may have some negative health effects and it is always recommended to boil it first.
While still a point for debate, it is often said that people with thyroid condition should avoid Maca. It contains goitrogens, that can disrupt the normal function of the thyroid gland.
Pregnant or breastfeeding women should always consult with their doctor before adding Maca to their diet.
Conclusion
Maca is available in three colours, red, yellow and black; each comes with its own distinct properties and strengths.
Generally, black maca is known to be the strongest. It is used to hike mood, combat fatigue and stress and improve memory and learning function.
Studies have also pointed that black maca has positive effective on sperm quality and production in men.
The key feature about black maca is that the hypocotyls present in the root can be stored for several years, without losing any medicinal and nutritional properties, making it a very valuable plant.
While maca shows a ray of hope and positivity, more detailed studies are required to determine its true nature and effects. Most research conducted yet is limited to small mammals.
However, it appears to be quite safe to include as a supplement in our diet, as well as it has been used since ancient times with positive effects on overall health.
THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.Namrata kothari
I am as passionate about food and fitness as I am about writing. I currently swim 4 days a week and attend yoga classes daily. I've always been fascinated about nutrition and healthy living, but the real journey of research started after having two kids. I wanted to pass on good eating habits and balanced diet for their holistic growth, and started writing as a resource for others interested in the same.
