Maca's Nutritional Value: Facts and Figures

You’re probably tired of hearing us refer to maca root as a “nutritional powerhouse.” But what can we say? The shoe fits! Maca’s nutritional profile is very much unique, consisting of a wide assortment of vitamins, minerals, and more. It’s part of the reason maca is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a supplement. But maca isn’t a supplement - it’s a superfood, much like turmeric and kale, and it should be part of a balanced diet. Given its many reported benefits, why wouldn’t you give it a try? Let’s take a look at what makes maca root so special, and what it can do for you.

What is Maca Root?

It’s easy to sell maca root short at first glance. It’s not as well known as other health foods like ginseng and ashwagandha, and it’s not much to look at. Maca root may look like a humble little root vegetable, but the truth is that it’s remarkable for a number of reasons. For one thing, the best maca root grows high in the Andes at extreme altitudes of about 13,000 feet or 3,900 meters. Maca root is a cruciferous vegetable belonging to the family Brassicaceae alongside kale and cauliflower.

The highest quality maca root originates in Peru, which is where we source the maca used in all our products. But maca is no common crop. Maca root has played a significant role in the diets of those born and raised in the Andes, used in traditional dishes like Mazamorra de Maca and consumed by men and women of all ages. Maca was even once used as currency. Today, maca is considered a valuable cultural commodity, with legislation restricting the export of the crop from Peru.

So why is maca such a big deal?

Maca Nutrition Facts

Maca is composed primarily of carbohydrates, which might give you some pause, but don’t let that discourage you from getting all the benefits maca has to offer.

Maca packs a lot of essential amino acids - nearly all of them, in fact, including those responsible for driving many cellular functions in the body. Free fatty acids do the same, and maca root contains plenty of those as well, namely linolenic acid (7.17 mcg), palmitic acid (5.24 mcg), and oleic acid (2.44 mcg).

What about vitamins? Your daily serving of maca root can provide you with B1 and B2 vitamins (1 mcg and 7.6 mcg respectively), which help the body convert those carbohydrates into energy, and improve red blood cell production. Maca is also a source of minerals including calcium, phosphorus, and potassium (between 1 and 5 mg).

In terms of protein, maca contains about 1.6g of protein in a 10g serving size. It’s not a lot, but it’s bioavailable plant protein that’s easy for the body to assimilate.

What about the nutrients that make maca truly unique? For one thing, our premium maca products are a good source of glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are secondary metabolites found in maca which are known for their cancer-fighting properties.

There’s also the presence of the compounds known as macamides and macaenes, which are found exclusively within maca. What do they do for you? They’re believed to play a role in bioactivities like sexual activity enhancement, and enable anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative protective effects. 

Maca is also considered an adaptogen. Adaptogens are natural substances that help the body resist diseases by supporting both physiological and emotional health. Maca is credited not only with helping the body handle outside stressors better, but with improving mental clarity and focus.

Why Try The Maca Team’s Maca?

Maca’s reported benefits include increased energy, a boost to the libido, improved hormone health, and more. It is, as we’ve pointed out, a superfood, which means that it can support your health in so many ways!

Why choose our maca root? As we’ve stated, we use only organic, non-GMO, Fair Trade, sustainably harvested maca root in all our maca products. Browse our maca FAQs to learn about the different colors and formulations of our maca products. From our raw organic maca root powders to our liquid maca extracts, we’re sure you’ll find the right maca for you at TheMacaTeam.com.

If you still have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out! We’d love to hear from you. You can Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at 888-919-8616.

Enjoy the Day!