How to Figure Out if Gelatinized Maca Powder is Right For You?
Posted by The Maca Team on 5th Feb 2021
Are you sensitive to gluten or experience digestive upset when eating starchy foods? You’re not alone. Millions of people deal with variations of starch sensitivity, which can lead to a range of problems if eaten. If you are interested in trying maca root products but have misgivings about the starch content, consider the following alternative.
Gelatinized maca powder features most of the same benefits as raw maca but has been precooked to remove the majority of its starch content. This gentle cooking process does burn away some of the nutrients, specifically Vitamin C and enzymes, but doing so allows for those with sensitive digestion to better enjoy this amazing root vegetable.
This quick guide will detail some of the reasons why maca is certainly worth a try even if you have a sensitive stomach, and how gelatinized maca root can potentially make all the difference for you.
A Traditional Way to Enjoy Maca
While there are certainly some nutritional benefits to think about when it comes to eating maca root raw, this is not actually how it is commonly prepared in Peru, where this vegetable originated. Traditionally, maca would be cooked in some way or another and would be enjoyed more so as a porridge.
Think about the potato; while maca doesn’t share much in common with this vegetable, other than the fact that it is a root, the starch content makes it extremely difficult to digest raw. We cook potatoes down in order to help remove the starch and improve our ability to digest them. It just so happens that they also taste better baked, boiled, and fried as well.
Mazamorra de Maca, a porridge dish comprised of maca, spices, milk, and other ingredients, is one way that this nutritious root vegetable would typically be enjoyed historically. Cooking the maca in this fashion not only makes it easier to digest, but it also allows you to temper the taste, making it more palatable.
The good news is that you don’t need to learn how to make this dish in order to enjoy the potential benefits of maca root, even if you have a sensitive stomach. The gelatinization process helps to remove the starch from maca just as you would when creating a dish like Mazamorra de Maca. Finding the right maca root powder that works for you is certainly worth the effort because this vegetable is rising to prominence as one of the most nutrient-dense superfoods.
If you want an easy way to improve your diet naturally, you won’t want to skip over maca products, especially if you don’t have time to learn how to start cooking elaborate dishes. Using gelatinized maca powder to boost the quality of your diet couldn’t be easier.
Testing The Waters With Maca Powder
Everyone responds differently to maca, because its starch content is different than that of other vegetables, so there is no hard and fast way to tell if raw maca will negatively affect your stomach. If you don’t usually have stomach issues, you may want to start off by using raw maca in small amounts in breakfast smoothies or even alone in glasses of water. If you respond favorably, you could slowly increase the amount you eat without any trouble.
However, if you notice a bit of stomach discomfort after trying a bit of maca in this fashion, you might want to switch over to gelatinized maca powder immediately. If you have prior experience with stomach issues due to starch or simply consider yourself to have sensitive digestion in general, you may want to go gelatinized from the start and not even bother with raw.
It’s worth noting here that unlike various drugs and supplements, there is nothing unnatural about maca, as it is simply a vegetable. So even if you are somewhat sensitive to starch, the most you will likely experience is some stomach cramps and gas (because your body has trouble breaking down starch). So don’t hesitate if you are curious as to what this healthy root vegetable can do for your health, but if you do have a history of sensitive stomach issues, you may want to start off with only a small amount of gelatinized maca and slowly increase the amount you use once you know that your body can digest it without any issues!
Find The Best Maca Products For Your Needs Right Here
When it comes to high-quality organic maca root products, you will always be able to find what you need right here in our online maca shop. No matter what form of maca you are looking for, whether it’s raw, gelatinized maca powder, or even maca root chips, we have it all. With a dedication to fair trade practices, fast shipping, and superior customer service, there’s no reason to shop for this superfood anywhere else.