What is Maca?
Maca is one of the most researched adaptogens (a group of different types of versatile, powerful herbs and substances capable of balancing the body) from South America. Here in the western world, this herb is still fairly unknown, but in India and China it has been used in medicine for centuries. This healing herb adapts itself to the needs of the person taking it. In doing so, it can be both calming and energy-boosting. What is meant by this is that it regulates sugar levels, improves your stamina, helps with mood swings and improves male and female fertility.
Maca and libido
This tuberous plant mainly comes in three different colours: yellow, purple or white and it looks more or less like a radish (it is also in the radish family).
In Peru, maca is eaten fresh as opposed to the rest of the world, which usually consumes it in a powdered form. To arrive at a powder, the maca root is first sun-dried and then ground into powder.
As mentioned earlier in this article, maca has a positive impact on libido in men and women (if the recommended amount is consumed of 1.5 grams per day, no longer than 4 months). The maca root contains several substances that have an effect on neurotransmitters that influence sexual desire. In the process, it also has a positive effect on male fertility. Maca can increase men's testosterone levels, which also increases potency (and therefore libido).
Nutritional values of Maca root
Maca has also recently been called a ''superfood'' due to the high-quality nutritional values, minerals, amino acids and dietary fibre it contains.
Nutritional value Maca: per 100 grams
Energy 325 Kcal
Fat 3,6 Gram
Carbohydrates 71,4 Grams
Of which sugars 31.1 Gram
Of which dietary fibre 7,1 Gram
Proteins 14.3 Grams
Minerals Maca: per 100 Grams
Iron 15 mg
Calcium 450 mg
Potassium 2 grams
Magnesium 0.8 mg
Phosphorus 220 mg
Sodium 18 mg
Copper 6 mg
Zinc 12 mg
Iodine 520 mg
Also, the soil where the Maca root grows also affects the minerals found in the root. So it may also vary sometimes.
Amino acid profile: Per 100 grams
Total protein 14.3 grams
Aspartic acid 1,38 grams
Glutamic acid 2.23 grams
Arginine 1.42 grams
Leucine 1,3 grams
Valine 1.13 grams
Alanine 900 mg
Phenylalanine 780 mg
Serine 710 mg
Tyrosine 440 mg
Histidine 310 mg
Glycine 970 mg
Threonine 470 mg
Methionine 400 mg
Isoleucine 670 mg
Lysine 790 mg
HO-Proline 370 mg
Proline 7 mg
Sarcosine 10 mg
Vitamins in Maca powder Per 100 grams
Vitamin C 285 mg
Vitamin B1 1 mg
Vitamin B2 0,4 mg
Vitamin B2 5,7 mg
Vitamin B6 1,1 mg
Science and Maca
Several studies have been done on the effect of maca on libido and the results are mixed. Some studies say there is no correlation between this root and libido. And then at the other end of the spectrum, it is concluded that there is definitely a correlation between using maca and increasing libido.
Below, we will highlight both sides and share the scientific studies
In this study 1*, 56 men are being tested for 12 weeks on the effect of maca and libido. during this study, one-third of the men were given 1,500 mg of maca powder, one-third were given 3,000 mg of maca powder and the last part was given a placebo.
After 8 weeks into the study, a questionnaire was administered asking if their Libido was increased/more sex drive a large proportion of the subjects indicated that their sex drive was definitely increased. What was interesting was that while testosterone and oestrogen levels had remained the same, libido was increased.
In this study 2*, a group of 20 adult men between the ages of 20-40 were examined. at the beginning of the study, blood was drawn and the number of swimmers in the men's semen was measured. After that, the test subjects had to consume 1.75 g of maca powder every day and after 6 and 12 weeks, blood was taken again and the condition of the semen was measured again. This test showed that hormones did not change significantly, but sperm quality had improved. So to conclude if individuals prefer to choose supplements over medication, then it may have a positive impact on fertility and libido.
Conclusion: Is Maca good for libido?
As we have read, maca is full of good vitamins, minerals and amino acids that are good for health, stamina, mood and libido.
In my opinion, a good diet is always important to increase libido, because if you are living unhealthily then you are also not comfortable in your skin and also have less desire to have sex. So Maca can be a good addition to your diet anyway. So give this libido enhancing superfood a chance and give it a try. In any case, it can't hurt.