Maca: properties, uses and contraindications

It increases energy and improves mood. It helps with weight loss and prevents osteoporosis. And for women...

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maca natural supplement energy vitality 1

La maca It is a herbaceous plant with perennial roots, widely used both as a food and as a natural remedy to improve physical and mental abilities. It also allows the body to undergo a truly restorative diet. maca It is also known as “Andean ginseng” and “Peruvian ginseng”, referring to the areas where it is found in greater quantities.

What is the maca

La macaThis extraordinary plant, whose roots produce a powder known as "Peruvian ginseng," grows in the Andes at high altitudes. This plant was already known in ancient times and was considered a true gift from the gods, as it possesses remarkable tonic properties. and adaptogenic, that is, it increases the body's ability to adapt to mental, physical, work-related and sporting stress. maca belongs to the family of Brassicaceae and it is small and perennial. The maca It grows in very hostile, poor, rocky, and oxygen-poor terrain. It withstands the most adverse weather conditions, and its turnip-like root is edible and possesses many beneficial properties.

Nutrients of the maca

La maca It is rich in nutrients, and among these are:
  • Minerals, such as manganese, iron, zinc, calcium and Phosphorus;
  • Vitamins B1, B2, C and E;
  • Essential amino acids, such as lysine, leucine, methionine, isoleucine;
  • Alkaloids;
  • Proteins;
  • Triterpene and steroid saponins;
  • Glucosinolates;

Types of maca

La maca It can come in different colors (black, red, yellow), each with slightly different properties:

  • Cat Black: the most effective for energy, endurance and memory.
  • Cat red: useful for the prostate and for hormonal balance.
  • Cat yellow: the most common and balanced for general use.

Benefits

Maca has many benefits that improve people's daily lives. Let's take a look at them together.

  • Maca can improve the energy available, thanks to the presence of vitamin C, iron and vitamin B6; furthermore, it refreshes the memory.
  • Maca is healthy in case of anemia, during menopause, in case of sexual dysfunction or even problems related to the onset of depression or leukemia.
  • Maca helps to counteract the chronic fatigue and menstrual cramps. Improves the athletic performance of athletes, enhances the immunitary defense and it is also useful for invigorating sexual desire.
  • The apple improves mood, because it is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids, which also reduce anxiety. Some studies have shown that it is also useful for regulating blood pressure, especially diastolic blood pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats.
  • Maca, thanks to the presence of Vitamin A, C and E contrasts the signs of aging and premature aging, increasing the radiance of skin and hair, giving them shine and vigor.
  • Thanks to maca you can fight the extra pounds. In fact, when taken, it helps sustain intense fitness sessions, gives a prolonged feeling of satiety and stimulates thyroid metabolism, promoting calorie burning.
  • Maca increases the bone density and, therefore, prevents osteoporosis and skeletal fragility, especially in women.
  • Studies on maca are evolving, although at the moment the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has not approved any documentation that safely attests to the benefits of maca.
According to a study by Angela Angusti and Stefano Manfredini of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences of the University of Ferrara, the usefulness of maca for anemia, mild but not serious, is linked to two factors. Its high iron and vitamin B12 content stimulates the production of red blood cells.
The same research highlights maca's energy-boosting properties. Its intake, recommended for both athletes and pregnant women, increases strength and physical endurance, while simultaneously increasing muscle mass. Maca is believed to have adaptogenic properties, capable of increasing the body's specific resistance, especially during periods of psychophysical stress. Maca has tonic properties (without the side effects of caffeine), and for this reason, it can be taken at any age.

Benefits of the maca for women

This Andean root appears to have a truly beneficial effect on the lives of women of all ages. Maca, in fact, balances hormones e regulates mood, helping to combat anxiety and depression. Women, more than men, suffer from these two disorders also because their body goes through numerous life cycles, which subject them to considerable stress, just think of menstruation, pregnancy and menopause, in adulthood. The pace of daily life and external sources of fatigue also contribute. Maca can help women counteract these symptoms, believed to be due to the presence of flavonoids. Maca also regulates sexual function. This plant stimulates the natural production of estrogen, regulates the formation of progesterone and estradiol, and limits the production of cortisol, the stress hormone.

Benefits of the maca For the men

Maca increases the volume and quantity of sperm in menIn the East, it is recognized as a true natural aphrodisiac, a non-medicinal Viagra: among its qualities, in fact, there is also that of improving erections and increasing sexual desire in men. The recommended dose, however, does not exceed three grams per day, combined with at least one gram of Vitamin C to promote its action.

How much maca we can assume

Maca can be taken in powder form or in capsules. The powdered form can be dissolved in drinks, such as fruit smoothies, or in juices, such as chocolate, in milk. The recommended daily dose is one teaspoon of powder (5 to 20 grams of dried root). It can also be added to savory recipes. If you opt for the capsule preparation, the dose is three maca capsules up to twice a day. Its beneficial effects can be appreciated after about a couple of weeks of starting to take it.

Use in the kitchen

La maca has a sweet taste e at times spicyIt can also find various uses in the kitchen, let's see which ones.

  • The Andean root can be used, both cooked, dried and fresh, or even in the form of flour, for the preparation of biscuits or crackers, when mixed with wheat flour. It can also be added to guacamole or hummus.
  • Maca can also be used to season salads, or added to smoothies and juices to promote its absorption. In Peru, there's a dessert called "Mazamorra," made with maca flour. This root can also be mixed into alcoholic liqueurs and cocktails, perhaps along with other spices.
  • Maca can also be used to make energy bars for students and athletes, which help boost energy and provide benefits for athletic activities.

Maca infusion

Preparing a maca infusion, one of the best ways to enjoy the properties of Peruvian ginseng, is very simple.
  • Fill a saucepan with water, bring to the boil and add ginger and seeds. cardamom
  • Then add a couple of sprigs of cinnamon and boil again.
  • Filter
  • At this point you can add the maca and serve

Controindicazioni

This root is generally well tolerated, although it can sometimes be burdensome for the digestive system. No particular side effects are known, even in the case of an overdose. Its use is generally not recommended during pregnancy, duringnursingIf you have prostate problems or thyroid dysfunction, you should not consume maca. Since maca appears to have a similar effect to female estrogen, its use is not recommended for those with breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer, or uterine fibroids. Consult your doctor before consuming it. If you suffer from thyroid dysfunction, you should be careful, as maca maca contains goitrogens which can interfere with thyroid function.

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