The maca or Lepidium peruvianum is a plant grown from ancient times in the central Andes of Peru. A plant that grows between 3700 and 4500 meters at sea level and that the Andean inhabitants consume because of their high nutritional contribution, the amount of energy it provides, and its praised properties as revitalizing and enhancer of fertility.
The maca stopped growing even in danger of extinction, recovering in recent years after scientific studies that highlighted all the properties and benefits of the maca. It is currently marketed in the form of tablets, pills, capsules, and tonics. Here we will discover the main properties and benefits of maca so that you know how it can help you improve your health.
Properties of The Maca
The basic nutritional principles of maca include vitamins B1, B2, B2, B3, B6, C, and E, in addition to minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, manganese, potassium, copper, and phosphorus. It also has essential amino acids, fatty acids such as omega 3, 6, 9, and lynylene, palmitic and oleic acids. Finally, maca also contains phytosterols, alkaloids, isocyanates, flavonoids, saponins, macacides, glucosinolates and alkamides, among others.
Macains or alkaloids and the organometal content they present are compounds that are associated with fertility empowerment.
Benefits of the Maca:
Among the main benefits of the maca are:
Increases male fertility
According to Gustavo F. Gonzales (2011) Maca, product flag of Peru: From tradition to science, the properties of the fertility of the maca are known from ancient times, being described in 1653 in the chronicles of Father Cobo. In 2000, the first study took place to scientifically verify these properties. Tests on rats showed how the number of sperm increased and improved their sexual behavior.
Great nutritional value
The maca is a very complete, energetic, restorative, stimulating food that can be consumed by people of all ages.
Helps reduce prostate size
The red maca, one of the varieties of this plant, favors the reduction of the size of the prostate, a benefit that has been proven in studies on rats and mice with positive results. (Gonzales, Gustavo F., 2011).
Sexual stimulant
Macamide has a stimulating effect on the hypothalamus and the adrenal glands providing energy and increasing fertility and sexual function.
Also, improves female fertility
Female fertility is also optimized by maca consumption.
It’s beneficial for bone care
Maca promotes bone development in children, being effective in the treatment of people with fractures, osteoporosis, rickets, and osteomalacia.
Very beneficial to relieve the effects of menopause
The maca is ideal for its revitalizing and mineralizing properties during menopause, being especially interesting to mitigate the effects of hot flashes.
Strengthens the immune system
Maca consumption has a stimulating effect on the immune system thanks to alkaloids, being effective in combating colds and contagion, in addition to strengthening defenses.
Skin Protector
The maca is a plant that has a rejuvenating effect on the skin and hair. It also protects the skin from the action of the sun.
It has a positive effect on memory and learning
By favoring the transport of oxygen by the blood, the maca affects memory and learning, as well as being ideal for fatigue, tiredness, and stress. It also has an antidepressant effect.