Peruvian Maca: does it really work?

Peruvian Maca is an extraordinary plant, we have already clarified its properties especially as superfood that gives energy and vitality and not only that, but does it really work?

In Peru, maca has been used for centuries as a food supplement to improve health and for its “extraordinary” qualities in increasing energy and fertility.

In recent decades, interest and demand for maca have grown throughout the world, increasingly appreciated as a adaptogen remedy e tonic capable of counteracting physical and mental tiredness, also and above all in sports.

Lately, however, maca has been at the center of scientific interest, especially as an alternative remedy to treat problems relating to reproductive health in both men and women. In fact, from some studies it seems that Peruvian maca can improve fertility and sexual desire, but let's find out together if it really works.

Does Peruvian maca really work on fertility?

Maca belongs to the genus Lepidium meyenii to the family Brassicaceae. The main, edible part of the maca plant is the tuber underground tuber, similar to the radish or turnip. It is grown at high altitude in the Andes. and may vary in size and color (white, black, red).

The main components of maca are carbohydrates and proteins and it is an excellent source of essential amino acids, iron and calcium. It can be found both in capsules and in powder, ideal to use for both sweet and savory recipes.

The first to conduct fertility-related studies on maca was the famous biologist from Peru, Gloria Chacon de Popovici, initially conducted exclusively on animals.

Only recently, various studies have also been conducted on men, on fertility, hormonal regulation and many other aspects of the sexual sphere.

From a systematic review of all the studies conducted on the topic, the data seem quite encouraging, but still insufficient to establish whether Maca can really influence both male and female fertility and further research would be necessary to delve deeper into the topic.

In fact, the total number of studies, the total sample size in primary studies are too limited to draw definitive conclusions.

Conclusions

So to the question: does maca really work?

We can answer that to date, health claims cannot be fully supported from a scientific point of view. What is certain is that it is a real Superfood rich in nutrients and micronutrients important for the our organism.

Known and appreciated above all as tonic-adaptogen which helps to counteract physical and mental fatigue and increases our body's ability to adapt to stressful agents and gives energy and vitality… so why not try it?

Sources:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18784609/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19260845/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12472620/
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548552/
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874117323516?via%3Dihub
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2928177/