What is Maca Powder Root and How Do You Use It to Your Advantage?*

Your mother always told you to eat your vegetables. After all, they’re healthy and delicious. But eating the same old vegetables you grew up with every day can get boring. That’s when you know it’s time to shake things up with something new – like maca powder root.

There are different ways to change up your vegetable routine. You could be bold and try something new, something you never knew existed. Or you could use your veggies in a whole new way. 

A popular way to get an extra dose of veggies into your diet is to use a powdered form. Powders are convenient because they can easily add a surprise super punch of nutrients into your diet. 

One such powder that you may not have heard of is maca powder root. Maca root has been gaining popularity due to a number of benefits*, and its ease of use when in its powdered form. 

So if you’re looking to shake things up with your health routine and diet, consider adding maca root powder to your daily regimen. 

What Is Maca Powder?

Maca powder is made from maca root, a cruciferous vegetable also referred to as Peruvian Ginseng. Cruciferous vegetables such as kale, cauliflower, and broccoli are known for their many healthful properties.*

What makes maca special is just how long it’s been around. The people of the Andes Mountains have been using it for thousands of years as it’s one of only a very few plants that can survive in such harsh conditions and high altitude.¹ 

The root of the maca plant is the part most commonly consumed. It’s gelatinized, which means the starch is broken down, to make it easier for you to digest it. Respectively, making it easier on your tummy for you to consume the root.* 

Consuming maca root in powdered form makes it much more versatile for cooking in a variety of dishes or mixing into drinks. 

Powders are appealing because they can be used in so many ways. You aren’t stuck eating the same thing day after day.

In fact, the people of the Andes Mountains often use maca to add an earthy flavor to their food. They often cook it in²to porridge or make a fermented drink. 

The potential is limitless, and you can get creative with how you use the powder as part of your daily routine. If you need a few ideas to get you started on your maca powder journey, here are some recipes for inspiration.

Benefits of Maca Powder*

One of the reasons maca powder has been becoming more popular is because of its possible benefits.* You may want to consider integrating organic maca powder as part of a healthy dietary routine.* 

Organic Maca Powder May Support Energy and Endurance*

Many of us would like to have more energy to get through the day. There is some evidence that maca powder root may have a positive effect on energy and endurance.* It’s said that Inca warriors were fed maca prior to battle to increase their energy and vitality levels.²

It Can Support Your Mood*

Maca may, in fact, support the mood of menopausal women according to research.³* Menopause is unpleasant for most women and comes with a long list of uncomfortable symptoms – mood just being one of them.*

But why can maca support your mood once you hit menopause? This is thought to be because maca contains flavonoids – compounds that are found in fruits and vegetables.⁴

It May Support Your Sexual Well-Being*

The most well-known benefit of maca powder, and the one that many people are most interested in, is its traditional uses for libido and sexual health.⁵* 

It Has Antioxidative Properties*

“Free radicals” is a term used to describe unstable atoms - remember those things you talked about in 9th grade science class? Free radicals can come from a lot of different sources in our daily lives like pollution and they can affect our cells.* Maca root helps fight free radicals by helping the body to produce natural antioxidants.⁶* 

How To Use Maca Powder

There are some great maca powder recipes that you can find online, but when it comes to adding a powder to your daily routine, the sky’s the limit. 

You can do just about anything to get some maca powder root into your diet, and maca powder recipes are easy to make. So have fun and experiment!

One easy way to use maca root is in smoothies. 

(1) Smoothies with Maca Powder

A smoothie with maca powder is a delicious drink to enjoy at any time of day. The great thing about smoothies is that you can customize them any way you want. 

Smoothies with maca powder give you a chance to try a bunch of different flavor combinations while still getting the benefits of organic maca powder. 

So, when you get up tomorrow morning, shake up a maca powder smoothie and enjoy it on the way to your work. Check out this recipe for a chocolate banana smoothie with maca to get you started.

(2) Maca Powder in Coffee

You can also put maca powder in coffee and get your morning started right. For many people, that first cup of morning coffee is a ritual that sets them up for the day ahead. 

Add more goodness by using a hand blender to mix in some maca powder. It’s an easy way to start the day on a healthy note without having to change up your routine. 

(3) Maca Powder in Oatmeal

Drink your maca coffee while enjoying a bowl of oatmeal that also has maca powder. The people of the Andes Mountains traditionally make maca root into a porridge, and you can do the same. Simply mix the powder into your oatmeal and enjoy. 

Remember - maca is a dietary supplement and should be consumed as per the suggested serving size on the packaging unless otherwise recommended by your healthcare practitioner.

(4) Use Maca Root Powder for Cooking

Another way to use maca root powder that many people don’t think of is to use it when cooking. If you’re making a dish with a sauce, then it’s easy to incorporate the powder. The earthy taste of maca powder root can even enhance certain dishes. 

It’s definitely something to explore, especially if you’re a foodie who loves to try new flavors and wants all the benefits you can get from organic maca powder. 

Get the Benefits of Maca Powder*

Ready to give maca powder root a try? At Viva Naturals, we’re ready to guide you. Our maca powder is certified USDA organic, gluten-free, Non-GMO, Kosher, Paleo and vegan, so you can be sure to enjoy it.

You know how important it is to eat your veggies, and also how important it is to change things up. With maca powder, you can do both. Add the powder to your coffee or smoothie for an easy way to get this extra boost every morning.*

Caution: As with any dietary supplement, consult your healthcare practitioner before using this or any other product if you are pregnant, nursing, trying to conceive, taking medication including blood thinners or antidepressants or have a medical condition including high blood pressure. Keep out of reach of children. 

References:

1. Balick M.J, Lee R. (2002). Altern Ther Health Med. 8(2): 96-8.
2. Wang Y, et al. (2007). Int Food Res J. 40: 783-792.
3. Meissner HO, et al. (2005). Int J Biomed Sci. 1(1): 33-45.
4. What are the Benefits of Maca Root? Retrieved July 12, 2022. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322511
5. Are There Health Benefits to Using Maca Powder? Retrieved July 10, 2022. https://www.webmd.com/diet/maca-powder-health-benefits 
6. Sandoval M., et al. (2002). Food Chem. 79: 207-213.