How To Use Raw Maca Powder In Your Daily LIfe

With Maca root powder emerging as a powerful adaptogen with many potential health benefits - consumers are turning to this superfood to nourish their bodies and support their overall health and vitality. There is no shortage of strategies, recipes and information on how to use raw maca powder in your daily life. Read on to find out more!

What is Maca?

Maca is a plant native to Peru. It has been grown in the Andes mountains for thousands of years and has been used by the indigenous people for various health benefits. Maca’s scientific name is Lepidium meyenii, and it is a part of the cruciferous family along with broccoli, cabbage, and kale. The maca plant has leaves, but it is more famous for its root. After discovering the benefits of maca, indigenous Peruvians started using the root as a powerful food source.   Usually it was eaten whole after being boiled, but it was also sometimes ground up into maca root powder.  It is this maca "flour" that is readily available to consumers today.

Maca’s Reported Health Benefits

There is mounting scientific evidence outlining maca’s beneficial properties. Maca is very nutritious and is packed with vitamins and minerals. It contains a low amount of fat while significant amounts of vitamin B6, copper, potassium, and iron.

One of the main reasons people started using the maca plant was its ability to improve libido and increase sexual desire. There is some scientific evidence that suggests taking maca root powder for 12 weeks can improve and increase sexual desire in both men and women. A study performed in 2002 found that men who took 1.5 to 3 grams of maca powder reported experiencing stronger libido than the group who took a placebo. Additionally, maca has been shown to improve fertility in men.[1]

If you are looking for an energy boost, look no further. Maca root powder is known to boost energy and endurance. A study conducted in 2009 found that a small group of cyclists’ performance improved while using maca powder. Many athletes and bodybuilders turn to this wonder plant to support their performance and energy levels.[2]  

When it comes to women, maca has a plethora of advantageous properties. Not only can it positively influence sexual desire, but there is some evidence that maca helps balance hormones. This is especially important for symptoms accompanying menopause. Many women report that maca helps with things like mood swings, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, bone density loss, and poor quality of sleep.

Additionally, maca root powder can help maintain healthy blood pressure for both men and women.

How To Use Raw Maca Powder

There is no denying it; maca root indeed can offer some fantastic health benefits. And the good news is that it’s super easy to prepare maca root powder recipes. For those who like the earthy and nutty taste of Maca, there are plenty of smoothies, hot drinks, and puddings to explore. And for those who prefer to have a milder experience for their taste buds, there are delicious baked goods. Whichever route you choose, it’s important to remember not to heat raw maca over 115 degrees farenheit (about 42 C) in order to preserve its nutrients.  

There are two types of maca - raw and gelatinized. Raw maca is made by drying and then grinding the root. In this method, the maca is never heated above 115 Fahrenheit, so the final product preserves all its original nutrients. The heated or gelatinized maca is created by sun-drying and then boiling the maca root. The maca root is then pressurized in order to remove all the starch within the root. While this process makes the final maca product gentler on the stomach, some of the beneficial enzymes and nutrients have been reduced.  For this reason, many people chose to use raw maca powder for incorporating it into recipes they make at home.

When first introducing maca into your diet, it is best to start with a smaller serving and slowly build-up to the daily recommended serving, which is 9g of raw maca powder a day. One of the easiest ways of introducing maca to your system is by mixing it with water and drinking it on an empty stomach. Doing this is believed to provide the most complete and rapid absorption. But if you are looking for something a bit more fun, read on for some recipe inspirations.

Here are 3 popular ways to put raw maca powder into your diet:

Smoothies and Beverages

A super-easy way of adding maca to your diet is by adding a spoonful to your smoothies and shakes. Chocolate and fruit flavors are the best choices to enhance maca’s natural taste. Combining raw maca powder with chocolate protein powders, or nutrient-packed blueberries both tastes good and provides a double punch of healthy goodness.

If you are a fan of juicing, you can create your favorite combination and then blend in the maca root powder. Try carrot, apple, ginger, lemon, and maca to make a bright and nutritious drink that will both boost your immune system and energize you.

If you are trying to cut down on caffeine, a maca latte first thing in the morning is just the thing for boosting your energy. Combine a couple of dates and non-dairy milk to a saucepan, heat until warm, then throw into a blender with maca powder, vanilla extract, and a dash of nutmeg.  You might also like to try one of our maca coffee substitutes to get an energy boost without a caffeine crash.

Breakfast

When it comes to breakfast, you can add raw maca powder to just about anything for a nutritions and yummy start to your day. You can simply sprinkle maca powder over your hot or cold cereal. Or combine maca, rolled oats, and non-dairy milk in a mason jar overnight for delicious overnight oats.

 You can also add small amounts of raw maca powder to your pancake batter, chia pudding, or waffle mix. The possibilities are endless.

Desserts

Raw maca powder pairs well with any sweet creation, so both baked and raw desserts are suitable carriers. Try no-bake energy balls made of dates, walnuts, Himalayan sea salt, vanilla extract, and maca powder. Grind all ingredients in a food processor and form delicious energy nuggets.

When looking for a scoopable dessert, try combining cashews, coconut cream, raw maca powder, vanilla extract, and dark chocolate in a blender. The result - a heavenly spreadable dessert!

With many possibilities of adding raw maca root powder to your diet, you can enjoy all the benefits it has to offer and treat your tastebuds at the same time!

A final note, just make sure that you are getting enough maca to make a difference when using it in recipes.   You can see our maca serving guide here.

Also, if you'd like to see which maca we recommend for you, click over to our "which maca is best" page.

Thanks and enjoy the day!