Discover the benefits of Maca powder for you!
Improvement of hair, skin, nails and so much more? You've probably heard the superfood come by, namely: 'Maca powder'.
You may have wanted to use it for a while, but you don't know exactly where it comes from, what the benefits are and how best to process Maca powder... That's exactly what this blog will be about. Maca is a trend that many are participating in and from which you can most likely also benefit!
What is Maca Powder?
Maca is a small root vegetable that has been cultivated for centuries by the indigenous people of the Andes. The Maca plant of the Brassicaceae family (the Cruciferous family) grows only in the Peruvian Andes. The tuber plant is known for its therapeutic and libido-enhancing properties and has long been used by Peruvians as a food and medicinal plant. The plant grows only at an altitude of more than 3500-4000 meters.
To make Maca an end product for the consumer, the root is first sun-dried and then ground. The powder is then sold to the consumer by various brands in the form of bags or jars.
Our proteins also contain high-quality Maca powder. Yellow Maca powder contains almost all essential amino acids and a large amount of vitamins such as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 and C. Maca is also rich in more than 15 minerals such as iron, magnesium, zinc and calcium . Iron in Maca helps restore red blood cells, which is beneficial for anemia and cardiovascular disease. Calcium in Maca helps promote bone health as calcium is an essential nutrient for this.
What are the advantages?
Maca powder has many benefits and it is not for nothing that it is so popular among men and women. Maca powder has a nutty and quite sweet smell / taste and Maca also resembles freshly baked bread. Maca powder is a real must have in your kitchen, because:
1. Maca gives an energy boost
Maca is an adaptogenic plant known for its energy-producing properties. Maca increases both physical and mental energy and also boosts testosterone levels. Testosterone is a very important hormone in women. It is important to maintain testosterone levels, so that, among other things, the risk of depression is also reduced.
2. Maca reduces stress
Maca powder has a high content of vitamins and minerals that ensure that stress is reduced. Maca contains many vitamins and minerals, including: vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6 and C. Vitamins B1, B3 and C contribute to a clear mind, thus reducing stress.
3. Improved libido in men and women
There have been many studies on whether Maca actually improves libido, but there are no scientific studies on this. However, several male participants in a test indicated that their libido increased. Maca is also called 'natural Viagra', but there is too limited evidence to say that Maca actually increases libido.
4. Good for the brain
Maca ensures that the ability to learn and memory is improved. This effect has been shown in several tests and is again due to the high number of vitamins and minerals. Magnesium in Maca contributes to brain and nerve functions involved in concentration, iron contributes to normal problem solving and zinc helps you with mental pressure and tension. Vitamin B1 in turn ensures a good mental balance and vitamin B6 contributes to the brain and nerve function involved in your learning ability.
5. Is good for your mood
Maca reduces anxiety and symptoms of depression. This is because Maca contains the unique nutrient 'macamide' which is known to reduce depression and anxiety. Maca also contains antioxidants called flavonoids, which are linked to improving mood and reducing anxiety.
6. Increased fertility in men and women
In women, Maca has a positive benefit on fertility. Multiple studies have shown that Maca increases the ability to conceive. Maca is said to increase the quality and production of sperm cells in men and egg cells in women. As a result, women are more likely to get pregnant.
7. Good for hair, skin and nails
Because Maca is so rich in good vitamins and minerals, it also has a positive effect on hair, skin and nails. In addition, Maca is known to have a positive effect on the hormonal balance, which can make acne and other skin problems disappear, among other things. This is because Maca acts as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is a substance that encourages the body to improve the production of our own hormones and a better balance between the hormones.
8. Good for the immune system
Maca contains a high amount of protein (almost 5 times more protein per serving than potatoes) and fiber. The intake of sufficient proteins ensures that the immune system is strengthened, tissue repair is promoted and your energy levels increase. With a boosted immune system, you are less susceptible to colds and other illnesses. Due to the high number of proteins, Maca also ensures that muscle mass is increased and that muscles recover faster.
9. Relief of symptoms during menopause
Women often experience mood swings and low energy levels during menopause. This is of course super annoying, but due to the many good properties of Maca, the root ensures that anxiety and mood swings are reduced. This is partly because Maca works as an adaptogen, which encourages the body to improve our own hormones and a better balance between the hormones. It is especially important with age that the hormones are well balanced, because during the transition the hormones, estrogen and progesterone, will fluctuate and decrease considerably.
Processing Maca powder
What is the best way to process Maca? There are several good options for processing Maca, such as:
- In yogurt
Maca powder tastes great in (vegetable) yogurt/cottage cheese. Add some fresh fruit and you can start the day in a healthy and delicious way.
- Into a smoothie
Put your favorite smoothie ingredients in a blender and add a teaspoon of Maca powder. This gives a delicious taste. Curious about good smoothie recipes with Maca powder? Click here to view our Vegan and healthy recipes!
- bananabread
Everyone loves a warm piece of banana bread in the late afternoon or early morning. Banana bread gets an even better taste by adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of Maca powder. This way you get a somewhat nutty taste in your banana bread, delicious!
- Other baked goods
In addition to processing Maca in yogurt, a smoothie or banana bread, Maca powder is one of those ingredients that you can add to much more, giving the dish a real boost. You can also use Maca powder in muffins, cupcakes, other healthy breads and (banana) pancakes.
Green Harvey proteins
Given the amazing benefits, such as the energy boost, stress reduction, improvement of hair, skin and nails, etc., it is therefore no surprise that we have made the conscious choice to include Maca powder in the ingredient list of our proteins ( berrylicious , cookie dough and vanilla ). Our proteins are also easy to process in the dishes listed above.
More information about the effect/benefits of the ingredients in our proteins? Click here .
