Maca Through History
Posted by The Maca Team on 29th Oct 2024
We’ve gone into some detail on the history of maca in the past, touching on its immense cultural and economic significance in Peru, where our maca root originates. Andean South America has been inhabited by humans since 15,000 BCE, home to complex cultures including the Nazca and the Inca Empire. While time and colonization resulted in significant changes in the region, some traditions have remained, passed down through generations. And the farming and consumption of maca root is one of them.
Origins of Maca Root
Praised for centuries for its many reported benefits, which include helping couples conceive and providing a much-needed energy boost to warriors, maca’s impact on the region is undeniable.
It’s believed that maca has been cultivated in the Peruvian Andes for at least 2,000 years now. Maca is an annual plant that grows low to the ground under harsh, cold and windy conditions. Because of the impact the severe weather has on soil quality in the area, it’s essential for farmers to rotate their crop over the years to allow the nutrients in their fields to replenish themselves. That’s why we acquire our organic Peruvian-grown maca from a co-op of local farms in the Junin Plateau, where it’s sustainably harvested with respect for the long-term preservation of the land.
Maca plays a noteworthy role in the history of the area. Some of the earliest reports by European colonizers in the region in the 1500s reference maca being associated with treating health concerns like low fertility as well as fatigue. Offerings of maca were included in tributes, and maca was even used for bartering, making it not just food, but currency.
Maca’s Nutritional Profile
Maca is considered a superfood for a reason. Its chemical composition consists primarily of carbohydrates, followed in quantity by sugars and fiber. But while many modern health gurus will tell you that carbs are bad, they’re nonetheless essential in your diet - and you’ll find that maca’s nutritional content more than makes up for its carb content. There are only 32.5 calories in a 10 gram serving of maca root, and that same serving size contains 1.6 grams of bio-available plant protein.
But it’s in its nutritional values that maca really shines. For example, let’s consider its essential amino acid content: namely, nearly all of them. From Alanine to Valine, maca’s amino acid content drives many cellular functions in the body.
Maca root is also a good source of free fatty acids and vitamins, supporting bodily functions like healthy circulation and anti-oxidative activity. Major minerals in maca include calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, alongside minor minerals like iodine, copper, and zinc.
In short, there’s a good reason maca root was such an important food source historically, and why its popularity is on the rise in health food circles today.
Popular Uses for Maca Root
As traditional medicine, maca was consumed to boost energy as well as fertility. It’s still popular for the same reasons today. But modern research has helped us truly understand the many benefits of a maca habit. Maca is still associated with aiding fertility and addressing erectile dysfunction. It possesses anti-inflammatory and cancer-fighting properties, and has been linked with reduced depression and minimizing the effects of menopause.
Though maca’s popularity waned in the 80s and 90s, today it’s an essential agricultural and cultural commodity in Peru. Modern legislation restricts the transportation of whole maca root from the country, and Peru is proudly non-GMO, demonstrating their continued dedication to exporting only quality food products. The 21st century has been marked by increased global demand for maca products, with bodybuilders and business executives alike singing its praises.
The Maca Team’s Maca
Not sure how to add maca to your diet? Our extensive Maca FAQs can help you identify the right maca for you based on your size and desired goals. If you have any further questions about our Fair Trade, non-GMO maca, we’d love to hear them. Please don’t hesitate to Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at 888-919-8616.
Enjoy the Day!