We’ve talked about some of the misconceptions around maca in the past, but one stands out: the idea that maca is a supplement. Unlike protein powder or fish oil capsules, maca is a food, not a supplement. As such, you should take the time to consider the role you’d like for maca to play in your diet.

Maca’s reported benefits include increased energy, a boost to the libido, hormone health, and more. It is, after all, a superfood, which means that it can support your health in a number of ways. Let’s take a look at some of the unique nutritional properties of maca, and consider how our maca can help you achieve your health goals.

Maca Nutrition Facts

At first glance, it’s easy to find yourself wondering exactly what makes maca root so special. It might be composed primarily of carbohydrates, which modern diet culture considers “bad,” but you’d be making a mistake to write this nutritional powerhouse off. Let’s consider maca’s protein content, to start off - 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.

Maca also 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, palmetic acid, and oleic acid.

What about vitamins? Your daily serving of maca root can provide you with B1 and B2 vitamins, 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.

Unique Nutritional Aspects of Maca

You could easily obtain these benefits from other food sources, though. What about the contents 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? Well, for one thing, 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 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 acuity.

Why Should I Try Maca?

You should consider adding maca to your diet for a number of reasons! While you should always consult with a licensed medical professional before making any significant alterations to your diet, we think we’ve made a good case for the true value of maca root as a food. Whether you’re looking to bounce back more quickly from intense workouts or regulate your hormonal health, there are many ways you might benefit from a daily serving of maca.

Not sure where to start? We can help you figure out which maca is best for you. Use our Maca Finder product selection tool, or 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. All of our maca products are made with pure organic maca root, vegan, non-GMO and Fair Trade.

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!