Indigenous people of the Andes have consumed maca root (commonly referred to
as Peruvian ginseng) for centuries, calling upon this superfood as a natural
remedy for a diverse range of conditions. While considered a root vegetable and
food staple in the Andean diet for thousands of years, Western researchers have
only recently discovered this ancient herb and the many benefits it may provide
for women. Sexual health, improving fertility, and combating the effects of menopause are only a few benefits
this healing herb has to offer.
Maca for Women: What are the Benefits?
For women, the benefits of regular maca consumption
are substantial. While maca benefits both men and women, we’re going to focus
specifically on how it can boost female quality of life. The following 8
benefits of maca for women are now supported by modern research.
2. Improves Sexual Function
Female sexual dysfunction depends on a
multitude of factors, with the woman’s age, lifestyle, and medical/nutritional
status being the primary elements. Although conventional medicine has created
pharmaceutical agents designed to increase sexual desire and satisfaction in women, these products are often
laden with side effects that can create more problems than previously existed.
One study examined the effectiveness of
maca supplementation for remedying sexual dysfunction in women as a result of
taking SSRIs, commonly-prescribed
antidepressants. Women
in the study enjoyed an improvement in sexual satisfaction when taking the
highest dose of three grams per day. Maca’s
success as a potent fighter against chemically-induced sexual dysfunction seems
to support its traditional use.
3. Aphrodisiac
While research is sparse on its
effectiveness for being a sure-fire aphrodisiac, some small-scale studies
indicate maca’s possible use in the bedroom. Not surprisingly, maca root has a
centuries-long reputation for being a powerful aphrodisiac. Loaded with
minerals like zinc, iodine, and essential fatty acids, maca may balance sex
hormones and may also improve mood. With
a healthy mood and balanced hormone levels, arousal is usually much easier to
achieve.
4. Supports Mood
Nutrition research shows that natural
fatty acids found in foods, including maca root, is necessary for supporting mood and overall brain health. [5] An
examination of maca’s protective effect for the brain has shown promising
results, offering many researchers hope for finding a natural alternative to
cognitive-enhancement drugs. Fatty acids in maca root support brain function,
which may be responsible for stabilizing analytical skills, cognitive function,
and rational thinking. Many doctors focused on holistic wellness often
recommended omega-3 fatty acids (like the ones found in maca) as a first step
toward alleviating certain symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, and
stress.
5. Fertility
As infertility is becoming an increasing
issue facing both women and men, it’s no wonder why so many people today are
turning to natural alternatives for improving fertility. So far, research has
only examined maca root’s impact on fertility in animals, with much of the research showing
promising results. Studies support maca’s traditional use as a fertility enhancer,
especially for females, noting its ability to increase serum luteinizing
hormone in the pituitary gland. [8] This
hormone is associated with fertility, among other factors in the body.
6. Increases Bone Density
Maintaining bone density is a common
problem for many women as they age. Studies of maca’s effect on menopausal
symptoms have found that it increases important marker’s associated with bone density. [9] This
could be helpful for women who have a family history of osteoporosis, or for
those who are simply seeking to protect their bone health.
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