Maybe you’ve seen maca root when wandering the aisles of your local health food store, but had no idea what it is. Maybe this is the first time you have ever heard of this maca root. Maca is known for its many health benefits, from keeping your metabolism in high gear to giving you a boost in the bedroom. ;)
Back Up. What is this Maca Plant?
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Definition of Maca
The maca plant, aka “Lepidium meyenii,” if you want to sound smart to your friends, is also sometimes called “Peruvian ginseng.” While it may sound exotic, maca is actually in the same family as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale. Also it's pronounced mah-kah if you were wondering.
Give Me More Maca
This cruciferous veggie is a superfood. It is a plant that Peruvians have been utilizing for thousands of years as both food and medicine to treat issues like fertility, fragile bones, and poor memory.
Some people say that it looks like the love child of a white radish and a potato. We don't care what maca looks like, we just care that it’s amazing. Maca root is native to the Peruvian Andes mountain range and some people say maca has a slightly nutty taste reminiscent of butterscotch.
What About Maca Root?
The most commonly used part of the maca plant is the root. Maca root is loaded with all the good stuff: fiber, amino acids, and plenty of vitamins and minerals.
History of Maca
Maca has migrated from Peru to the shelves of your local health food store, and for good reason. The demand for maca root has increased in the last few years due to more information about its amazing benefits, particularly for libido and fertility. Maca root has loads of potential benefits for both men and women.
Maca Root Benefits for Men
Improves Fertility
Fertility should be top of mind for men too. Studies have shown that taking maca might improve sperm concentration, which is the number of sperm per millimeter of semen.
Reduces Erectile Dysfunction
If you need a little help in the downstairs department, maca root might be able to assist you. A 2009 study found that the men taking maca root experienced a significant increase in sexual well-being.
Maca Root Benefits for Women
Don’t worry, maca root has some female-specific benefits, too, from helping boost sex drives to helping relieve menopause symptoms:
Improves Libido
Combine some maca root and a few episodes of anything with a Hemsworth brother and feel the tingles. That’s because some evidence suggests that maca supplements can help women with low sexual desire.
Relieves Symptoms of Menopause
Maca has also been found to benefit women who are going through menopause. Menopause can cause symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, issues with sleeping through the night, and irritability. Maca can help with some of these symptoms, like hot flashes and interrupted sleep. Fiber can also help support menopausal women.
Maca Root Benefits for Both Men and Women
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As if those earlier reasons weren’t enough, maca root has additional benefits for both men and women.
Metabolism Boost
Some people consider maca to be a thyroid stimulator. Adaptogenic herbs are ones that can help your body adapt to the stressors it encounters. This natural stimulant may speed up the metabolism and burn more calories over time.
Boost Mood and Energy
Skip that tiny bottle of five-hour energy (and its questionable ingredients) and allow maca root to boost your mood and energy levels instead. There is some limited evidence that maca root can improve energy levels and enhance your mood.
Improves Learning and Memory
There is some evidence that suggests maca could improve our learning and memory skills. However, this 2011 study was actually performed on mice. But, some researchers suggest it might be helpful for treating people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Might Improve Skin Health
Maca has been shown to speed up wound healing and can even protect against UV damage when applied to animal skin. (Psst: healthy digestion also goes a long way toward improving your skin’s health and giving you that glow that looks like an Instagram filter!)
Full of Nutritional Benefits
While some of these other benefits of maca root aren’t backed up by scientific research yet, there is no one indisputable fact about maca root: it is full of all the nutrients your body needs, from high levels of iron to iodine to help keep your metabolism on track, to a large dose of potassium to aid your digestion and help your muscles, to amino acids, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals.
But Wait. Is This Magical Maca Root Safe?
Yes! Studies show that maca root is perfectly safe and there are no side effects associated with it. People in the Andes have cultivated maca and used it as food for thousands of years. (Of course, you can always consult with your doctor before adding something new to your routine, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medication!)
Try Maca Root in Bonny Today
If you can’t tell, we are big fans of maca root and all its benefits. At Bonny, we believe in knowing exactly what is in the supplements we use to power and fuel our bodies. We source only the best ingredients for Bonny. Maca root is part of our proprietary formula because of its excellent benefits for your overall health and wellness.
Bonny is an all-natural, plant-based fiber supplement with adaptogens that help you combat the stressor’s in your life. Fancy fiber for your gut.
Bonny comes in four delicious flavors that you will crave daily: Amplified Apple Pie with Maca Root, Berry Beauty, Strawberry Serenity and Matcha Magic.
As always, we wish you pleasant poops!
