Maca For Sleep

Maca for Better Sleep - Does Maca Make You Sleepy?

Getting the right amount and the right kind of sleep is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Your diet can affect the quality of your sleep, and you may be wondering how your maca routine can affect your sleep habits. Let’s take a look at the ways maca may impact your ability to get quality rest. 

• Introduction to Maca Root
• Is Maca Good for Sleep?
• How Does Maca Affect Sleep?
• What Science Says About Maca for Insomnia and Deeper Sleep
• Maca For Better Sleep - Words from our Customers
• Which Maca is Best For Sleep?
• How to Use Maca to Help You Overcome Insomnia and Sleep Deeper
• Final Words on Maca for Sleep

Introduction to Maca Root

Maca is among the planet’s highest-growing food crops, thriving in the extreme conditions of the Andes at altitudes of above 13,000 feet (3900 m).  Maca root has been cultivated in Peru for thousands of years, and locals have long praised its use as both a food and a medicine. Today, maca root is regularly consumed by children, adults, the elderly, and even livestock. Maca has long been praised for a wide variety of purposes, ranging from its high nutritional content to its reported ability to boost energy levels, treat sexual dysfunction, and sharpen mental focus. Given that so many of these benefits seem to center around increasing alertness, you may be wondering what that means for maca and your sleep health. Can maca cause insomnia or otherwise negatively impact your ability to get a full night’s rest? Let’s consider some of the ways that maca can actually improve the quality of your sleep. 

Is Maca Good for Sleep?

It’s important to keep in mind that every body is different, and the ways your body may respond to maca root are likely to be entirely unique. That said, it wouldn’t be unreasonable given what we’ve written about maca thus far to worry that consuming maca regularly may negatively affect your sleep routine. You already know what happens if you drink coffee too late in the day - wouldn’t maca be the same?

The good news is that maca and coffee are very different substances. Maca isn’t a traditional stimulant, and it doesn’t contain caffeine. Furthermore, modern research suggests that a healthy maca habit may actually result in improved restorative sleep. Here’s how.

How Does Maca Affect Sleep?

Think about the things that make it hard for you to get a good night’s sleep. Stress is likely a key factor. It’s a kind of vicious cycle: you’re stressed, so you can’t sleep well. You can’t sleep well, so your body’s stress response system is triggered, leading to an increase in stress hormones like cortisol that make it even more difficult for you to get the rest you need. Maca combats your body’s response to stress, helping you achieve a balanced mood that’s more conducive to proper rest. 

Can Maca Cause Insomnia?

The short answer is “No.” Maca does not cause insomnia. However, it is an energizing food, so like coffee, you should keep that in mind when you’re deciding when to consume your maca. Here’s what to consider when you’re adding maca to your diet for sleep:

• Serving size: While maca doesn’t affect your body like caffeine might, we’ve had some rare reports of the jitters from customers who have consumed too much maca too quickly. Serving size is key. You can see benefits from maca with as little as a teaspoon of maca powder a day. While you can’t overdose on maca, we recommend starting small and building up over time. Check out our page on maca dosage for more information. 
• Time of day: We suggest enjoying your maca at the start of your day, ideally with breakfast, but generally before 2 PM. Because maca is not a stimulant, like caffeine and sugar, you won’t get a crash after your energy boost. You should feel a sustained amount of energy throughout the day.
• Take with food: Taking raw maca with some food may help your body digest it better than on its own, and it can also help your body slow down its absorption, extending the effects longer into the day.  

What Science Says About Maca For Insomnia and Deeper Sleep

• Maca root is an adaptogen, or a naturally-derived substance that helps the body respond to a wide variety of stressors. Adaptogens work at a molecular level by regulating the balance between the hypothalamic, pituitary, and adrenal glands, which are responsible for the stress response in your body. 
• Maca contains two unique nutrients known as macaenes and macamides, which play a role in contributing toward your body’s hormonal balance. They also possess powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties.
• Maca contains flavonoids, which have been associated with improved mood and reduced anxiety. A 2008 clinical trial in which postmenopausal women consumed maca root found that regular consumption of maca powder resulted in reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression. A 2015 study produced similar results, with a noted decrease in blood pressure.
• Research has shown that Maca has some anti-depressant like effects, including increases in noradrenaline and dopamine levels.
• Scientists in 2014 theorized that certain functional foods including maca root can help promote healthy sleep cycles because of these nutritional and functional properties.

Maca For Better Sleep - Words From Our Customers

   "Heard that Maca helps to improve sleep. Bought the Yellow Maca and gave it a try. Have been sleeping like a baby ever since the first day I took it. No more vivid dreams and tiredness when I wake up. In fact, I think the sleep quality has improved so much that I came to wake up around 6am naturally bright and clear, where as I used to wake up at 7:30am still feeling sleepy. The taste of Maca is not bad at all. For me, I prefer to take it in the morning with some chicken/beef broth. I think the taste goes better with savory food, rather than the usual sweet recommendations like smoothie or coffee. Bought the 1 kg packet, and I only take 1 teaspoon per day as per my weight recommendations on the label, which will last me for 6 months. Very good deal. Will definitely buy again."  R.J.

    "Maca has completely changed my sleep cycle. The very first day I took a teaspoon of maca is the best night of sleep I've had in over fifteen years. I was skeptical of the immediate response but also entirely grateful. I was used to sleeping for 2-3 hours, then awake for 3-5 and trying to catch a nap during the day. It's been about two months now taking the raw yellow maca and, with the exception of full-moon nights, I'm sleeping SO MUCH better. Placebo effect? Don't know and don't care. All that matters is that I'm sleeping and all evidence points to the properties of this crazy little root vegetable! I just wanted to share my experience in case it would be helpful to someone else. Thank you to the Maca Team for bringing this vegetable product to the US."  - J.I.

    "I ordered the Premium Maca for myself and a friend. I have been using Maca for 10 years and have noticed an improvement with the Premium Maca. More energy and better sleep. My friend also enjoyed great results since using this Maca."  Roxanne Yadao

  "My husband and I have been using a combo of both the gelatinized red and black maca. We take approximately 1 Tb of each mixed with almond milk. Do this 4 or 5 mornings a week. We both notice that our energy is more consistent throughout the day and we are both sleeping better at night. Also, less brain fog. I definitely have an increase in sex drive as well (my hubby is very happy about that.' - M.L.

Which Maca Is Best For Sleep?

When it comes to maca root for sleep, we have two recommendations: Gelatinized Tri-Color Maca or Gelatinized Red Maca Products. Red maca is great for hormone health, making it ideal for addressing any stressful hormone imbalance that might be keeping you from your best sleep. Our “heritage blend” or Tricolor maca is a potent combination of all three maca colors, packing a nutritional punch and uniting the best benefits of each color maca root. Why gelatinized maca? Because it’s the mildest, easiest maca formulation to digest, ensuring that you don’t have to worry about any stomach upset if you’re still adjusting to maca in your diet. 

How To Use Maca To Help You Overcome Insomnia and Sleep Deeper

Improving your sleep health with maca takes some dedication, but it isn’t difficult! What to keep in mind:

1. Make maca a habit - maca should be part of your daily routine, whether you’re enjoying our Morning Motivator coffee blend in the morning or taking maca capsules with lunch. Like with any lifestyle changes, it may take some time for you to see the effects of your maca consumption. Some people report seeing changes within a week, while others may not feel the real impact of their healthy new habit for a month. 
2. Maca is a food - maca should be part of a balanced diet and exercise routine. If you’re struggling with insomnia, your diet may play a role in your disordered sleeping. Your maca should be accompanied by whole, healthy foods and regular activity. 
3. When in doubt, consult a medical professional - there may be numerous reasons for your troubled sleep, some which can’t be remedied simply with a dietary change. Your doctor can help you find the right treatment for your insomnia. 

Final Words on Maca For Sleep

Adding maca to your diet is part of a lifelong commitment to a healthier lifestyle. Though maca is an energizing substance, there’s no need to fear it will keep you up all night. Maca can improve your hormone health and reduce stress and anxiety, resulting in improvements to the quantity and quality of your sleep. So give maca for sleep a try today.

Enjoy the Day!