Maca is a common ingredient in Peruvian cooking that gives dishes an earthy flavor. Maca root plant can be ground up into a powder and added to meals or smoothies.
Aside from its culinary uses, maca may also have several health benefits. This article will discuss 10 possible health benefits of maca root.
Ten benefits
There is a range of potential benefits of maca root, including:
1. Increasing libido
The most well-known benefit of maca root is its potential to increase libido. There is some scientific evidence to support this claim.
For example, an older study from 2002 found that men who took 1.5 or 3 grams (g) of maca per day experienced increased libido compared to those who received a placebo.
A 2010 review of studies on maca and sexual functioning found some evidence to suggest maca could improve libido, but the authors cautioned that more research is required.
A 2015 study found that maca root may help reduce sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women who were taking an antidepressant.
2. Reducing erectile dysfunction
Maca root could also have benefits for people with erectile dysfunction (ED). A small study in 2009 looked at the effect of consuming 2.4g of maca root per day for 12 weeks on participants’ perception of their general and sexual well-being.
The study participants were males with mild ED. Those taking maca root experienced a more significant increase in sexual well-being than those taking a placebo.
There is some evidence to suggest that maca can improve learning and memory. For example, a 2011 study found that maca could improve memory in mice.
A 2014 review of the literature suggested that maca may have benefits for learning and memory performance. Researchers suggested that it could be helpful in treating conditions that affect these processes, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
However, only research on animal models is currently available, so it is unclear whether maca will have the same benefits in humans.
Risks
Maca is not currently associated with any health risks in most people and is unlikely to cause any side effects in moderate doses.
However, due to its effect on hormones, people with thyroid problems should avoid taking maca. It is also better to avoid taking maca when undergoing treatments that modify hormonal levels, such as treatments for breast cancer.
Takeaway
Maca has a range of potential health benefits, particularly for sexual health. However, the evidence behind these health benefits is weak, as many studies used small sample sizes or animal models.
Researchers need to carry out more large-scale studies in humans to determine if maca is effective. Although there are few health risks associated with taking maca, most people can try maca without experiencing any adverse side effects.
If a person is interested in trying maca root, they can find supplements in some natural food stores or online.
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