What is black maca used for and how should it be consumed?

THE food and health They have an increasingly close bond. For this reason, more and more people around the world are paying attention to what they consume. And among the options that provide vitamins and nutrients appears the little-known one black maca

“It is essential to choose the right one food which we will add to our daily diet, accompanied by physical activity and other changes in habits”, they explain from the site Mayo Clinica non-profit organization dedicated to clinical practice, training and research.

For these reasons, some foods and supplements emerge that can help the body perform its functions better.

What is maca and what are its properties?

The bed (Lepidium peruvianum) is an annual or biennial turnip-shaped tuber native to the highlands of Peru and Bolivia, which grows from 2,700 to 4,300 meters above sea level.

“It is a plant that grows in the highlands of the Andes. It has been cultivated as a tuber for at least 3000 years. The root is also used for produce medicinesbut not enough reliable information is available,” notes MedlinePlus, the US National Library of Medicine.

In fact, shamans used it as a sexual aid or enhancer, since its root has properties that They increase libido and fertility in both men and women.

“These benefits are due to the fact that this tuber is rich in bioactive compounds called alkaloids, flavonoids, macamides and glycosides, providing stimulating, tonic, aphrodisiac and energetic properties“, the site provides Your Saude.

The benefits of this root, however, do not stop at the possible effects related to sexuality.

The place Ecocentre from Spain. specialized in plant products, lists other benefits attributed to maca, considered a superfood:

• Reduces fatigue.

• Rich in essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, bismuth, manganese, sulfur, sodium, copper, selenium, iodine, silicon, iron and tin.

• Provides vitamins B1 and B2, vitamin C and vitamin E.

• It is antioxidant, energizing and vitalizing.

• Increased libido and improved fertility: You might believe in the mobility of sperm.

• Reduces premenstrual symptoms and menstrual pain.

• Stimulates the formation of red blood cells and helps against anemia.

• Regulates cholesterol and helps in diabetes by increasing the activity of the pancreas.

• It has anti-stress and antidepressant properties.

Black maca: benefits and differences

According to specialists, they can be found in nature three different types of maca: black, red and yellow.

Black maca was a type that the Inca army used to increase their energy and strength in battles and they warn Its effects are faster and more powerful than any other type.

What are its main characteristics, some of which are mentioned in the tuber itself.

• Increased physical and sexual stamina: it is known as the “Andean vigra”.

• It increases male and female fertility, because it produces an increase in the number of sperm and their mobility.

• It is very energizing and reduces the effects of stress and fatigue.

• Promotes good mood.

• It improves memory, concentration and learning more than any other maca.

• It contributes to the correct functioning of the ovaries as it helps regulate the menstrual cycle.

For its part, red maca helpsreduce prostate enlargementbut it does not affect male fertility.

The specific type of yellow maca has lower activity.

How to consume black maca

First of all, it is important to underline that this is the case It is essential to consult a doctor before making a decision regarding nutrition and health, to provide appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

That said, there are several ways to consume Peruvian maca. Below are the main ones:

Tablets or capsules. If this mucus is ingested, the health site recommends one 500 mg tablet, three times a day.

Dehydrated powderIt is recommended to cook it in water or vegetable milk to prepare a drink, but it can also be mixed with fruit and vegetable juices and sauces.

Extract. To achieve this, maca root must be mixed with water, glycerin, or natural oils.

Infusion. Presenting maca in tea is also simple and effective, because all you need to do is add the maca powder to the lemon herbal tea.

It must be taken into account that it is also possible to obtain it raw macawhich should be consumed only by people with good digestion, and gelatinized macasuitable for those with a fragile digestive system.

Adverse effects of black maca

Scientific studies on maca indicate that the benefits begin to be noticed later two weeks and the treatment usually lasts a short time three months. And as long as its consumption is not abused, maca has no harmful effects.

When used as an energy product, one of the main negative effects may be insomniawhich can be solved by avoiding the consumption of maca during the night or before going to sleep, he points out World of sport.

In some people, maca initially produces symptoms like abdominal bloating or gas. And, if taken in excessive quantities, it is possible to experiment diarrhea because there is an acceleration of the normal rate of digestion.

Maca also works endocrine system which exerts effects on the thyroid glandand because of its high concentration of glucosinolates, in some cases it could inhibit the normal functioning of the thyroid and trigger possible enlargement.