5 Reasons Why You Should Try Maca Today
Maca root (Lepidium meyennii) is native to the Andes Mountains in Peru. This tuberous root is sometimes called “Peruvian Ginseng” because it is almost exclusively grown in Peru, however it has also been harvested in small patches of the Kashmir and west Himalayan mountains.
No matter where you get it from, Maca has excellent benefits to physical and emotional health. In many cultures it is used as a menopause treatment of sorts, because it helps support a healthy mood balance in women.
Maca also benefits men’s health in certain ways as well. In addition to this it is packed with antioxidants and nutritional elements. Here we’ll go over the great ways that Maca can improve your diet and why you should give it a try today!
Maca for Women
Some women begin experiencing menopause symptoms as early as age 40. This stage is called perimenopause because it is the beginning stage of menopause. At this time estrogen levels plummet, which triggers many symptoms including mood swings, increased anxiety, and emotional discomfort.
Maca root can be exceptionally beneficial for postmenopausal women, that is, those women who are at the final stage of menopause or have completed the transition entirely. Some studies show that it can help keep your hormones in balance (estrogen) and reduce emotional discomfort.
Maca for Men
Maca has been used in traditional medicines to help improve men’s fertility. Some studies have found that it can promote healthy sperm production and help improve sperm concentration. In addition to this, it can increase a man’s sex drive, just as it does in postmenopausal women.
Maca for Memory
Human clinical trials on maca have mostly revolved around reporting its benefits on sexual and emotional health during/after menopause. Researchers have also conducted trials with mice to discover any links between maca and cognitive health.
Two separate studies done on mice reported that taking maca had improved memory and learning. Scientists have yet to study this response in humans with an official trial, but if the results are similar this could be a great step forward in helping those with memory loss and even Alzheimer’s disease.
Aside from clinical trials, however, many people who take maca regularly have self-reported benefits to their cognitive health including improved memory, sharper focus, and reduced brain fog.
Maca Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that help fight the oxidative damage done by free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable atoms that damage cells within your body. This cell damage can cause aging and illnesses such as cancer.
Maca is packed with antioxidants. Whether you take maca in a capsule or powder form, you will still be able to take advantage of all the great antioxidant action. Although maca capsules are obviously smaller and contain less product inside, the product itself is pure extract. This means that it has the same concentration of antioxidants as having 1 serving of maca powder.
Also, the beneficial effects to emotional, reproductive, and cognitive health as mentioned above are also the same whether you take maca in capsule or powder form.
Maca Nutritional Benefits
Maca contains vital minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, and manganese. In addition to this, it has a high protein content and is also a great source of fiber. If you are taking maca for these nutritional benefits, choosing maca powder or raw maca over maca capsules would be a better idea.
Keep in mind that if you’re not in Peru, raw maca could be a challenge to find in your local grocery store. It is also more difficult to find tasty recipes using this tuberous plant. Preparing them in a tasty way may not be so easy.
Opting for the powder instead of the raw form is quicker and easier. Maca powder has a nutty, earthy taste so it goes great in coffee or malt beverages and deserts such as brownies. Since it is caffeine-free, it can be taken at any time of day.
To find out more about Orgen Maca capsules benefits and uses, click here.
To find out more about Orgen Organic Maca Powder benefits and uses, click here.