Maca Root is packed with impressive health benefits. Some of these benefits includes improving blood flow, boosting make fertility, buffering the effects of stress, boosting the immune system, boosting libido, boosting memory and retention, lowering blood pressure, helping treat an enlarging prostate, promoting bone health, relieving symptoms associated with menopause, and improving athletic performance.
What is Maca Root?
The popularity of Maca root has exploded in the recent 2 decades, thanks in large part to its pronounced effects on health, but especially sexuality. Known as “Peruvian Ginseng”, Maca is actually a cruciferous vegetables, belonging to the same family as cauliflower, broccoli and cabbages. Cruciferous vegetables are well known for their benefits on health, with Maca root being no exception.
It should therefore come as no surprise that the majority of people can benefit from usage of Maca root, either in supplement form or the true root.
Now sure how MACA root can be of service to you? Then you’re in luck. Whether you are an athlete, adult, child, man or woman, there is a good chance Maca can be of help to you. Below you will find out the 11 top health benefits of using Maca root.
11 Impressive Health Benefits of Maca Root
1. MACA Root Improves Blood Flow
Improved blood flow is something everyone can benefit from, regardless of if you’re a man or a woman. Blood flow dictates many aspects of health, and can help keep organs functioning optimally for years. Men specifically love the use of Maca root, as it can improve blood flow to the penis- resulting in stronger erections. This is exactly why many male enhancement supplements contain Maca root as one of the active ingredients, as it works. Plus, Maca root possesses significantly less risk than prescription meds, making it an attractive action for men desirous of using male enhancement products but wary of side-effects.
2. Boost Male Fertility
When it comes to male fertility, there are many aspects that need to be just right for pregnancy to occur. In this case, Maca can boost sperm count and sperm motility. What this means is that there is a greater density of sperm per ml of semen, and they are much more efficient in “swimming”. Men can have high sperm counts, but if sperm motility is poor, they will never reach the female egg and fertilize them. Think of Maca as being the booster that improves their swimming potential. Improvements in motility are also regarded as an improved efficiency of activity against energy utilization, since the sperm will be moving greater distance without additional energy consumption.
3. Maca Root Can Buffer The Effects Of Stress
Maca, like other ginseng types, are known as adaptogenic herbs. What is an adaptogen? Simply put, a tonic that makes the body more capable of handling stress. Lacking sleep? By using an adaptogen your body will be able to better handle fatigue. Similarly, they can help to buffer the effects of stress, or enhance oxygen consumption under periods of fatigue. Consumption of adaptogens are a great way to help your body cope during periods of distress or high stress.
4. Boosts The Immune System
In the same vein as its adaptogenic effects, is its ability to boost the immune system. It does not do this by chance, but rather by increasing production of natural antibodies, including T cells. These cells help destroy foreign invaders that can cause an infection, and also cells that carry the ability to turn cancerous. This is in addition to their natural density of nutrients that are known to be beneficial to the immune system.
5. Maca Boosts Libido
It is established that Maca root promotes blood flow, which can improve sexual function, but that aside it can actually increase your libido- better known as sex drive. Low sex drive can be psychological, and the result of conditions such as poor erection potency, but then it can also occur as a result of low testosterone levels, which are the cornerstone of poor libido. Regular use of Maca root can boost libido in both men and women, though men are the primary consumers of it for such a use.
6. Maca Boosts Memory And Retention
In some cultures, it is customary for the people living there to consume the traditional herbs in the effort of improving health, and sometimes prolong life. In the case of Maca, it is administered to school aged children, as it is believed to improve memory and retention skills. Although no official studies have been carried out to confirm its usage as a memory aid, it appears promising so far. Another popular adaptogen, Ginkgo Biloba, is widely used for its memory boosting abilities, and it appears Maca is bound to follow suit.
7. Lower Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can be the result of numerous factors, ranging from poor diet, to conditions that exacerbate stress. Luckily, however, Maca can address high blood pressure from multiple sources, and shows great promise. For example, it is well establish that Maca improves blood flow, and can help them dilate and relax. In addition, Maca contains potassium, a mineral that also assists in regulation of a normal blood pressure. Finally, since Maca is an adaptogen itself, it can reduce the impact that stress has on the body, as the stress hormone cortisol is known to promote water and sodium retention.
8. May Help Treat An Enlarging Prostate
An enlarged prostate seems like a rite of passage for many men, even if it is an unpleasant one. It is caused by a combination of factors, most frequently being increased levels of estrogen and the testosterone metabolite DHT. Most medical therapies focus on reducing the effect of DHT on this gland, but they are not without significant side effects. In fact, side effects make many men scared of using prescription meds altogether. Maca root, in particular red Maca, has been found to be able to reduce the size of the prostate, and relieve annoying symptoms such as urinary frequency. It may not be sufficient to manage advanced prostate enlargement, but is worth a try preventatively as you approach middle age.
9. Promotes Bone Health
Bone is the most unappreciated tissue in your body, as many people assume that it is dead and requires nothing for sustenance. This is not the case, however, as bone is living tissue- it is just made of sturdy mineral deposits, but requires nourishment to remain strong and healthy. Maca contains many of the minerals necessary for proper bone mineral density, including calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper and phosphorus. Regular intake of these minerals also prevents osteoporosis development during advanced age.
10. Relieves Symptoms Associated With Menopause
Menopause is an unpleasant time for the majority of women, being rife with hot flashes, mood swings, decreases in libido and more. However, when menopausal aged women consume Maca root, these symptoms are relived, including the psychological aspect of depression and anxiety. This is not to forget improved sexual drive, which tends to fall off a cliff during and after menopause.
11. Can Be Used To Improve Athletic Performance
Though the use of Maca is supported by many bodybuilders, as it is believed to help with the muscle building process, it is more well known to boost energy levels and improve endurance of runners and athletes who must perform activity for an extended period of time. Not only did it enhance endurance, however, as it has been also found to improve performance in terms of time, with cyclists documenting improved times while riding (such as time it takes to complete a mile, or a fixed duration).