Although Maca roots have been cultivated in Peru for centuries, most people outside Central America only learned about them recently. Super foodies and nutritionists are to thanks for this. They constantly tout maca powder benefits on TV, magazines and the blogs all the time. But is maca as nutritious and helpful as they say?

Maca: the healthy powder?

Maca is a plant cultivated for its roots in the high plateaus of Peru. Ancient Peruvians believed maca roots could treat anemia, enhance athletic performance, solve menstrual problems and improve fertility.

When not being consumed raw, maca roots are roasted or prepared as a soup. More recently, the roots have been processed into various products, including powder, capsule, and tea. The most components of maca are carbohydrates, minerals like calcium, amino acids, and vitamins B1, B2, B12, C and E.

While some of the proclaimed maca powder are disputed, others are medically proven. The powder, for instance, improves sex hormones by modulating the endocrine system. By giving signals to all the glands involved in stimulating sexual arousal, fertility and the nervous system, maca powder ensures your sexual health is always in check.

Nutritional Facts about Maca Powder

Maca is full of nutrients. One ounce of grounded maca root provides the following to your body:

• 91 calories
• 4 grams of proteins
• 20 grams of carbs
• 2 Grams of fiber
• Vitamin C
• Potassium
• Iron, copper
• Vitamin B6
• Manganese

Because it's purely organic, there are no limits on how to consume maca. Drizzle some in your smoothie or add it to your flour as you bake muffins. There is no wrong way to consume Maca. But if you are not good with recipes though, here’s a start.

Strawberry Maca Shake

Ingredients

• Half a cup of fresh strawberries
• 4 Medjool dates, seedless
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla
• ½ teaspoon of maca powder
• One cup of almond milk
• ½ cup of ice
• A pinch of salt

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients and blend them to produce a super shake. If it’s not thick enough, add some more frozen berries. If it’s overly thick, add ice. You can also add one banana to introduce a second flavor.

Maca Latte Recipe

Yet another beverage gives you a chance to experience the rich benefits of maca. It’s naturally sweetened with honey or maple syrup and only takes five minutes to prepare.

Ingredients

• One teaspoon of vanilla extract
• One tablespoon of Maca powder
• Half a cup of coconut milk
• One cup of almond milk
• A pinch of cayenne powder and black pepper
• One tablespoon of honey or maple syrup

Procedure

Mix all the ingredients and whisk them over a medium heating saucepan. Continue whisking as the content becomes warm. Serve with pancakes or take them alone.

Oatmeal Maca plus Guarana

Tasty, satisfying and nutritious: what more do you want in breakfast? If you prioritize health in all your meals, this is a great recipe to prepare once in a while.

Ingredients

• 5 tablespoons of oatmeal
• One cup of coconut milk
• One tablespoon of guarana powder
• One kiwi and one banana
• An eight of a pineapple
• One tablespoon of goji berries
• Two cables spoons of cacao powder
• Two tablespoons of maca powder

Procedure

Place oatmeal in a pan and heat it up. Stir a little bit and add the fruits chopped into pieces. Mix guarana with maca, stir them before adding the rest of the ingredients. Serve your breakfast.

Best Maca Powder Buying Guide

There are main types of Maca: red, black and yellow. Most powders are grounded from yellowish Maca because it’s the most common type. Black Maca is linked to brain health while red maca helps with prostate problems. Below are some of the main brands with different types of Maca powder.

Raw Red Maca Powder by the Maca Team

This product comes in a shiny 2.2-pounds sachet of Peruvian sourced Maca. The packet includes a label all of its ingredients and how to use it. There are no additives included for the $45 top-rated item. Most customers who've used the product claim to have experienced improvements in their libido levels, bodily energy, and moods. 

Gelatinized Black Maca Capsules by the Maca Team

Priced at $27, this product packs 200 pre-cooked capsules so that you consume them like medicine, 2-3 every day. They are black/grey in color and attract positive reviews for their impact on the muscles. The capsules are also advised for promoting libido, mental focus and enhance male fertility.

Nuna Native Maca Powder—Yellow

This package is suited for people who want to try a little bit of the product before investing more. The powder comes in a sachet containing 8 ounces of the product. It is properly packed and looks authentic with a picture of a Peruvian farmer harvesting the plant. It costs $15 for 45 servings.

Gelatinized Red Maca powder by the Maca team

One pound in size and aimed at women, this sachet of Red maca is one of the best sellers on Amazon. While it costs $28, the price isn't its selling point. Its divine smell, ability to blend with smoothies and great support from women makes it worth checking out.