Good for the libido?
Superfoods are still gaining popularity. From chia seeds to goji berries. All these ‘super foods’ are seen as super healthy. A not so well-known superfood is maca. A special root vegetable that would not only increase libido, but also help against hot flashes.
First of all, a short explanation of what maca is. Maca is a plant that grows high in the South American Andes Mountains in central Peru. There it has been used as a food and medicine for about 3000 years.
Maca is related to the radish and has a sweet smell. The taste is also sweet and resembles that of a sweet potato. In South America they mainly eat maca baked and roasted, but in our country maca is mainly available as a powder. It is also available processed in dietary supplements.
Libido
Special properties have been attributed to maca for centuries. The Peruvian plant is rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, selenium and is said to help with anemia, chronic fatigue, depression, poor memory, stress, menstrual problems, lack of libido and menopausal problems such as hot flashes. This is mainly due to the positive effect that maca has on the hormone balance.
In the ancient Inca culture, they revere the plant for its medicinal purposes. According to this folk belief, the plant is known for its legendary ability to improve your energy, give you mental clarity and improve your health the libido. It is also called ‘the natural viagra’.
There are many stories about maca in Peru and these are passed down from generation to generation. But there is limited scientific evidence about how maca works. Some studies show some benefits, but large human studies are lacking.
What is clear is that maca is rich in certain proteins and amino acids, in combination with the substance p-methoxybenzyl isothiocyanate. That’s probably why it’s aphrodisiac.
Effects
For most people, it is safe to use maca. Not enough is known about its use during pregnancy and lactation. In order not to take a risk, it is better not to take it.
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