Maca root is generally dried and can be consumed in capsules form such as the one by Plant Nutrition. Maca root powder is very nutritious and is a great source of several important vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin C, Iron, Potassium, Vitamin B6 and Manganese.
Several studies have shown that Maca may improve mental well-being and mood by reducing depression and anxiety, especially in menopausal women. Maca contains plant compounds called flavonoids, which have been suggested to be at least partly responsible for these psychological benefits. Research has shown that Maca increases sex drive in both men and women. When it comes to male fertility, it’s been shown that Maca can increase sperm production and improve sperm quality, thereby enhancing fertility in men.
Currently there is little to no evidence to support other rumoured benefits of Maca such as:1 - Improving exercise performance, especially muscle growth, strength and endurance
2 - Improving brain function; specifically learning and memory
3 - Reducing prostate size in men
Further Reading:
- Maca Powder Nutrition Facts
- A Double‐Blind, Randomized, Pilot Dose‐Finding Study of Maca Root (L. Meyenii) for the Management of SSRI‐Induced Sexual Dysfunction
- Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content