Maca: Can It Really Help You Fight Menopause Symptoms?

Have you heard of maca? I never heard of it until I traveled to South America. It is a root cruciferous vegetable, related to kale, cabbage, and broccoli. It is a common powder found in these regions from Peru Andes Mountains to Ecuador Andes Mountains up to Colombia Andes Mountains. This vegetable has been cultivated for over 2,000 years.

Maca is a powder that you can use in your smoothies, as a tea or you can try in dishes that you want an earthy flavor. In addition to the culinary uses, maca also comes with benefits. Your body will benefit from consuming maca. Several health problems that plague the body as it ages will disappear with regular consumption of maca.

Nine Benefits

Here are the nine benefits of consuming maca.

Elevates Libido

According to multiple specialists, one of maca’s most well-known qualities is increased libido. Maca is amazing as it has aphrodisiac effects without affecting hormone levels. This might be due to maca’s relationship to stress reduction, mood enhancement, and a mild energy boost.

Improves Fertility

Another common application of maca root is to boost fertility, particularly in males.

According to a 2016 analysis, there is some evidence that maca root may improve sperm quality in both fertile and infertile males.

Significantly improves woman’s sexual function

An earlier 2015 research of 45 women with antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction discovered that consuming 3,000 milligrams (mg) of maca root per day for 12 weeks significantly improved sexual function and libido compared to a placebo.

Aids men sexual function in several ways

Although not all trials on human subjects have been completed, several studies have indicated that maca may aid men with reduced libido or sexual desire. Another 2019 study discovered that mixing Maca with Chinese chive seed (Allium tuberosum) helped male mice erectile dysfunction. A 2020 study also discovered that ingesting 2 grams (g) of maca per day for 12 weeks enhanced sperm concentration much more than a placebo therapy. Men can benefit from maca directly with an increased sperm count.

Helps with Perimenopause and Menopause Symptoms

Many doctors in the medical and natural medicine community recommends maca to women in perimenopause or menopause stage. Scientific research shows that maca supports the body during this stage of life without changing estrogen levels.

Maca is known to alleviate symptoms during the perimenopause or menopause stage. Women who consumed maca daily for 12 weeks and those who took two tablets per day, experienced fewer hot flashes and experienced less interrupted sleep and night sweats.

The maca root is believe to help to balance the estrogen hormone, it has anti-inflammatory properties, it helps with cognitive ability, digest nutrients and wound healing.

While more research is needed, women and men who consumed maca received many benefits.

Aids the Body with Stress Management

Maca is an adaptogenic plant, and that all adaptogens can assist the body manage external stress. Adaptogens have long been utilized in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine.

Adaptogens (including maca) may assist increase the body’s stress defense mechanism by regulating the hypothalamus pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis. The HPA axis regulates how the central nervous system and hormonal systems react to stress. Cortisol levels rise when we are stressed. Yet, animal studies suggest that ingesting maca can help keep cortisol levels from increasing.

Lowering blood pressure

Maca root can help lower blood pressure. In a 2015 study, 3.3g of maca per day for 12 weeks decreased blood pressure in Chinese postmenopausal women.

Boosting mood

Flavonoids that are found in maca are considered to boost mood and lessen anxiety. According to a study of 14 postmenopausal women, maca helped with anxiety and sadness. A separate 2022 research found that maca extract might also help alleviate young adult women energy.

Lower Depression Symptoms

A 2014 mouse research discovered a relationship between ingesting maca for six weeks and elevated dopamine levels, which led to decreased symptoms of depression. People’s mood improves when they are more resilient to stress and better able to handle day-to-day pressures. If you’re continuously feeling “on edge,” taking maca on a daily basis might perhaps help.

More Energy

One reason individuals use maca is to get a caffeine-free energy boost. Although scientific studies haven’t been able to explain exactly how maca promotes energy in the body it does appear to have energy-producing benefits in certain people.

While further scientific research are needed to prove this link, a small survey of 175 persons suggests a link between maca and energy. In the research, participants who consumed 3 grams of maca for 12 weeks reported having greater energy than those who did not. Due of this reaction, it’s preferable to drink maca earlier in the day to take full advantage of all that new energy. Even some bodybuilders and athletes use maca root to boost energy and performance.

Enhancing Memory and Learning

There is some evidence that maca can help with learning and memory. A 2011 research, for example, discovered that maca might boost memory in mice.

According to a 2014 assessment of the research, maca may have benefits for learning and memory skills. It may be useful in treating disorders that disrupt these processes, such as Alzheimer’s dementia, according to the researchers.

Nevertheless, because only animal models have been studied, it is unknown if maca will have the same advantages in people.

Other potential health advantages

There has been little human study on the possible health advantages of maca. Yet, preliminary evidence from animal research show that maca may have the following effects on health: