Maca Root and Cardiovascular Health

It’s not uncommon to find some trendy “new” food touted as a cure-all, capable of doing away with every imaginable ailment. This is especially prevalent with superfoods - remember when kale was in everything? It’s easy to get caught up in the crazy, but important to keep in mind that there’s no mythical panacea that’s going to turn you into a superhuman if you just eat enough of it. But when you’re taking a look at the history of human nutrition, you’ll find that there are some foods that have been consumed consistently throughout the years for their reported benefits…and that some of those foods have stood the test of time for a reason. Now, science can help us identify foods whose enduring consumption is attributable to research-backed effects on the human body.

And maca is one of them.

Maca and Heart Health

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States? According to the CDC, one person dies from cardiovascular disease every 33 seconds, accounting for 1 in 5 deaths. An estimated 1 in 20 American adults lives with some kind of heart disease, and it’s easy to see why those numbers won’t budge. Lifestyles have become more sedentary over the years, but stressors like the cost of living and job uncertainty are on the rise.

So where does maca come in? Well, as we’ve discussed in the past, maca has been associated with reductions in stress and anxiety due to its flavonoid content. Studies have found that maca has “antidepressant-like” effects on participants, with marked improvements in noradrenaline and dopamine levels in those who regularly consumed maca. Further research uncovered a link between maca and reduced blood pressure and depression in postmenopausal women. And a 2021 study determined that maca powder demonstrated cardioprotective qualities, lending weight to its validity as a preventative for coronary dysfunction.

How Does Maca Work?

In previous posts we’ve discussed maca’s high antioxidant content, one of its key benefits for heart health. Maca has been linked to reducing high blood pressure levels that can act as a contributing factor toward cardiac distress. Maca is considered a “functional food” or “nutraceutical,” a food product that is exceptionally nutritious and associated with numerous significant health benefits. As an adaptogen, maca is believed to help the bodies of those who consume it regularly achieve a level of balance. It doesn’t contain dopamine, or testosterone, or estrogen, and yet it’s been found to restore the levels of these hormones to healthy measurements.

If maca root is starting to sound like that panacea now, here’s your friendly reminder that maca is still just a food, like blueberries or kale. In order to get the best of its benefits, it should be enjoyed consistently over time as part of a balanced diet and exercise routine.

If you’re unsure of how best to use maca, spend some time browsing the information we’ve made available at TheMacaTeam.com and check out our FAQs. While adding maca to your diet can be as simple as adding a teaspoon of maca powder to your breakfast, we’ve collected some of our favorite Maca Recipes for inspiration. Our Maca Finder product selection tool allows you to input information about yourself and your desired outcomes before offering a tailored suggestion based on those goals. And of course, we recommend checking in with a licensed medical professional before making any decisions that can seriously impact your health. We want you to get the most out of your experience with maca!

Questions?

We’ve worked hard to bring our buyers certified organic, non-GMO, Fair Trade maca root products straight from Peru, where it’s been historically farmed for centuries. We’re passionate about our products, and we want you to be confident in your purchase. If you have any further questions about our maca root products, please don’t hesitate to Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at 888-919-8616.

Enjoy the Day!