Surviving up to 15,000 feet high in the Central Andes Mountains, the maca root has retained its enigmatic potency and has continued to be embraced by native populations for thousands of years. This universally proclaimed superfood has just recently migrated to local supermarket chains across the United States over the last couple of years. Analysis of its nutritional composition has found that the maca root is high in protein, dietary fiber, iron, selenium, and calcium, but this still does not provide the full story. From local villagers to athletes, this distant cousin of the radish family has put the vigor and vitality back into the lives of so many.
Over the past 20 years, maca has gained greater public interest in various parts of the world. It even made a televised appearance on an episode of National Geographic’s Taboo in 2002. On this particular episode, couples from all over the world that had difficulty conceiving a child would visit a shop at a local Peruvian village to try a beverage known as “Jugo de Maca.” The ingredients of this beverage were not of much significance, but its key ingredient was the maca root. Within a year, these couples were likely adding “a plus one” to their household.
Besides increasing fertility rates, this “Peruvian ginseng” has also put the libido back into the lives of those suffering from depression. One double-blind randomized pilot study by Dording et al. sought to determine whether maca was effective at correcting for anti-depressant induced sexual dysfunction. Researchers recruited 20 remitted depressed outpatients (mean age of 36 ± 13 years; 17 women and 3 men) and measured their libido at bi-weekly clinical appointments for up to 12 weeks, using a series of questionnaires. Comparing a low-dose (1.5 g/day) to a high-dose (3.0 g/day) of the maca regimen, scientists found that both subject groups demonstrated increased sexual function, but found a more significant improvement for the higher dose group (p < .05).
Despite its potent health benefits, a foreign plant with such a dense nutritional composition should be questioned for its safety. Recently, researchers observed a Peruvian population who consumed maca frequently and measured several health factors. At the conclusion of the study, there were no safety concerns identified. Both liver and kidney function were maintained at normal levels. Scientists also found an association between maca consumption and several health factors, which included a low body mass index (BMI), low systolic blood pressure, lower rates of fractures, and lower scores of signs and symptoms related to chronic mountain sickness. It was determined to not only be safe, but beneficial for this population.
This unique plant source has provided a different landscape for many individuals from a range of demographics, but has yet to be truly embraced by the mainstream community. Maca’s youthful benefits did not come from a lab or over the counter, but from an inhospitable region deep in the Andes Mountains. It certainly deserves to be up on the Mount Rushmore of superfoods today.