Maca and energy, the superfood of vitality

The correlation between Maca and Energy is increasingly frequent, in fact its invigorating properties have been known since ancient times.

There are testimonies that allow us to understand that the properties of the root of this plant were already exploited many years ago by the Andean population.

Numerous archaeological finds have shown that Maca was considered by pre-Columbian tribes as a "gift from the gods" and it seems that it has been cultivated in the Peruvian Andes for almost 2600 years.

The Peruvian “Ginseng” which gives energy: historical notes

Maca was cultivated by the Pumpush, a fierce tribe of warriors who migrated to the Andes. Later, the Yaro tribe also cultivated immense fields of it. Finally, the Inca empire conquered the lands where this extraordinary plant had been cultivated.

According to some legends, the Inca warriors consumed maca root before going into battle, because it was able to increase strength and resistance during fights.

In South America, maca has been used for centuries as a "medicinal" plant for both humans and animals.

It is said that after the conquest of the Spanish, the livestock and the population of the Andean highlands were not in good health, so the natives advised them to eat maca and also give it to the animals.

The effects were decidedly positive and the Spanish chroniclers provided a detailed account with actual treatises on Maca.

Even before the Spanish conquest, this root was considered so important that it was used as money.

It was often exchanged for other products, such as cocoa beans or nibs. The history of cocoa and maca is very similar and their combination enhances their flavours!

Today the root of this plant is becoming an important botanical product in the world of food and herbal medicine, due to its energizing properties.

Maca as an adaptogenic remedy

We have seen how maca has been known since ancient times as a "superfood" capable of increasing strength and endurance.

It has a high nutritional value and is increasingly known and appreciated as tonic-adaptogen, i.e. for its ability to improve the body's non-specific resistance in response to external stress stimuli, both physical and psychological.

​​The Russian pharmacologistNicolai Lazarev, tried to define the type of action of some plants and thus created, in 1947, the concept of "adaptogen" which characterizes:

“a nutrient capable of inducing in a body a state of greater non-specific resistance that counteracts stress signals and adapts to exceptional effort“

Nicolai Lazarev

In 1968 Brekhman and Dardymov defined adaptogens as non-toxic substances, capable of producing an adaptive response to stress and improving homeostasis in the organism, that is, the body's ability to adapt and recover its balance despite external stimuli.

Maca and Energy

The Italian Ministry of Health in thedecree regulating the use of plant substances and preparationsin food supplements defines the physiological effects of the maca root as:

• Tonic-adaptogen
• Tonic (physical, mental tiredness)
• Tonic action and metabolic support

Maca has the ability to improve the response to stress and fatigue, and resistance to large workloads, both physical and mental. For this reason, it is also much loved by athletes for training support.

More and more studies are being conducted on this extraordinary plant which is said to be able to increase energy, resistance, physical strength and much more.

How to take Maca and fill up with energy

Maca can be found in the form of a powder, to be added as a spice in recipes, or in capsules, which are more practical to take as a supplement or for those who don't like its decidedly particular flavour.

Maca powder has, in fact, a pungent, slightly malty sweetish flavour, which oscillates between bitter and spicy.

It can be easily disguised by mixing it with other ingredients, adding to smoothies, drinks or milk.

It goes well with fruit juices, chocolate, yogurt and you can also use it as an ingredient for homemade desserts, cakes, biscuits, energyballs and pancakes, or bread dough.

Furthermore, it can be used as aspice in culinary preparations, added to savory recipes, to season salads and vegetables or in broths or soups.

Sources:

• Maca: adaptogen and hormone regulator. Beth M. Ley, Ph.D.
• Superfood. David Wolfe