Maca is a unique plant that grows on the high plateaus of central Peru. The people of Andes have been cultivating it as a vegetable for more than three centuries. Its odor is similar to that of butterscotch with the plant being relatively radish. Over these years, it was used for nutritional and medicinal reasons. When prepared in food, it can be roasted, made into soup, baked or fermented into a drink called Maca chichi. Beyond human consumption, it is used in boosting the fertility of livestock.
Facts about MACA
Maca is a superfood that has gained popularity as a supplement. The plant grows at an attitude of 11,000 feet. It therefore has a record of being the food crop that is grown at the highest altitude. The soils on which Maca grows are rocky and thus inhabitable to most other plants. It has the reputation of thriving in extreme conditions like strong winds, intense sunlight and freezing cold.
Maca produces radish sized roots and small leaves that are prepared in different forms for consumption. The indigenous people of Peru have been using the plant for years to improve their health and for commercial purposes. Its close scientific relatives include turnip, cabbages, mustard and rapeseed. The dried powder contains 8% fiber and 13-16% protein. Other minerals contained in Maca include potassium, calcium, copper, zinc, magnesium and about 20 free fatty acids.
Maca works by providing the nutritional elements the body needs. These elements include amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Being an adaptogen, it supports the overall strength and health of the body. Scientific research has proven that it is effective in lifting your mood and supporting the physical functions of the body
What are the Benefits Of Using Maca To The Body?
Maca is considered a super food. This means that it has numerous benefits that are also wide ranging. The benefits will be enjoyed, whether you take Maca as a powder or as a vegetable. Though no serious side effects of MACA have been identified, it is advisable that you consume it with moderation. This is advice that applies to all food supplements.
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Energy Boost
Physical use and scientific evidence confirm Maca as an excellent source of energy. This leads to a boost in fertility and acts as an energizing tonic. This reputation of boosting energy in the body has been maintained for years. The unique and interesting element compared to stimulants like coffee and tea is the absence of stress to adrenals. Further, you will receive sustained energy supply for your body functions.
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Increase In Athletic Endurance And Stamina
History has it that before going for battle, Incan warriors consumed maca. The aim was to improve their prowess. Recent studies confirm that people who took onto long races after consuming maca performed better than those who did not. Maca has also been linked with excellent ability to build muscles. Athletes at professional and amateur levels have improved their performance by consuming maca. It is preferred because of its natural properties and proven track record to support performance.
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Solution To Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Individual and scientific tests have revealed that maca is effective in relieving chronic fatigue syndrome. This happens through continuous supply of energy and boosting personal stamina. With sustained energy, you will not have to deal with fatigue.
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Libido And Better Sexual Function
In traditional society, maca served as a potent aphrodisiac. Recent studies have proven that maca is effective in boosting libido in men and women. In fact, other studies have proven that men will get cured for erectile dysfunction by consuming maca in small proportions. For this problem, it is recommended that men take black maca while women consume the red variety.
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Fertility Boost
This is one of the most perfect documentations of maca in history. It is the only known function that maca plays in livestock. The Incans used maca over thousands of years to improve their livestock numbers. According to research and in history, black maca is effective in improving the volume and count of sperms. Red maca is used by women to balance hormones and thus make ovulation cycles more reliable.
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Reduction Of Stress And Anxiety
Traditional use of maca involved mixing with tea during dances to relax and energize the crowd. Recent studies have linked maca with reduction in stress and anxiety, especially the self perceived variety. This leads to improvement of mood which also affects your energy levels. When maca is taken regularly, it will boost your emotional mood and lead to better control of emotions. In fact, scientific studies have reported better ability of the consumer to control self assessment depression.
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Clarity And Mental Focus
The energizing and uplifting elements in Maca help to boost mental clarity and improve your ability to focus. Like coffee and tea which are used as stimulants, maca unblocks the brain and help the user to concentrate better. You will manage to think straight with a cup of red or black maca. This will make you a more productive and creative individuals. It has also been proven to improve the ability of users to learn and memorize. Memory and ability to learn improved with consumption of black maca.
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Improved Blood Circulation
Maca was used to treat anemia or ‘drying of blood’ as it was known in traditional societies. It is therefore effective in reducing the amount of time it takes for a wound to heal. It has also been used to reduce blood pressure and thus is recommended for such cases.
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Skin Improvement
There are acnes that emanate from hormonal imbalance. Since maca is known to improve hormonal balance, it will help you solve such acne problems. It has been proven to be more effective than drugs used in treating acne. These benefits are accredited to the strong nutrients and maca’s hormonal balancing effect.
How to use Maca Powder?
The fact that maca is a natural element makes it safe for consumption without prescription. It is advisable to use smaller dosages at the beginning to enable the body get used to its use. You may also consume it in a variety of recipes according to personal preferences. Ensure that you store maca the powder in a safe place because it is sensitive to humidity, oxygen and light.
Where to buy Maca Powder products?
There are several online stores selling Maca powder with different brands like Now Foods, California Gold Nutrition etc. but i recommend to buy from iHerb.com/maca because you get fresh products at deep discounted pricing due to their volume sales. You can get iHerb Promo Codes from here for getting additional discounts while purchasing.
