I am very happy to see this movement of awareness and search for information, with this we increasingly perceive food and natural products as great allies in the promotion and maintenance of our health. And in the midst of so many discoveries is the Peruvian maca! Currently, maca is known and consumed by people around the world, but its story began with the Incas, who as soon as they realized their medicinal benefits began to cultivate it.
I confess that since I realized its benefits in my health, I started to consume it frequently. I put it in different ways, but my favorite is beaten in my coffee! In this post I will explain a little better what this powerful powder is, its nutritional profile, how we can include it in our food routine, where to buy and the best way to store it.
MACA BENEFITS
Researches They proved that food plays a crucial role in the prevention of chronic diseases, not least because most of these diseases are a reflection of an unbalanced diet. Functional foods, in addition to being considered a source of energy necessary for our survival, contribute to the maintenance and promotion of our mental and physical health through the nutrients present in their composition.
like the litter (Lepidium meyenii) It is usually marketed already in the form of powder, few people know that it is a plant that belongs to the same family as cabbage, cabbage, turnip and mustard. The part of the plant that is used for medicinal purposes is its root, which somewhat resembles a radish.
studies They showed that maca has the ability to eliminate free radicals and protect the cells of our body against oxidative stress, that is, the continuous and frequent consumption of maca can slow the aging process of our body in general. In addition, the effects of maca on levels of sex hormones showed that this herbal medicine is safe to be used in the correction of the physiological symptoms characteristic of menopause, thus becoming a great ally of women to minimize the possible discomfort of this passage.
another study It showed that, in addition to reducing body weight, blood pressure, increasing HDL and increasing iron levels, gelatinized maca can also be an excellent non-hormonal and natural option to balance various hormones related to menopause. The balance of these hormones can alleviate several symptoms experienced by women at this stage, such as nervousness, redness, heat, depression and cardiac palpitations.
*Despite all the benefits presented, the maca does not replace medicines prescribed by your doctor.
Nutritional Value – 28 grams
- 91 kcal
- Total fats: 1g; Saturated: 0g; Trans: 0g
- Protein: 4G
- Total carbohydrates: 20g; fibers: 2g
Vitamins
- Vitamin C 78.9mg 133% VD
- Riboflavin 0.1mg 6% Vd
- Niacin 1.6mg 8% VD
- Vitamin B6 0.3mg 16% VD
Minerals
- Calcium 70mg 7% Vd
- Iron 4.1 mg 23% VD
- Potassium 560mg 16% VD
- Copper 1.7 mg 84% VD
- manganese 3.5 mg 6% vd
Extra
Recipes: The most practical way I found to add this food to my daily life was to include it in powder form (flour) in my smoothies. In addition, it can be sprinkled on yogurt, soups, oatmeal porridge and even mixed with other flours to make cookies, breads and cake. Anyone who finds it difficult to adapt with the flavor of the maca, it is possible to find it in the form of capsules. The exact amount to be consumed should be discussed with your nutritionist or doctor.
How to store: To ensure the quality of the food, it must be stored correctly. To increase the service life, it is important that the dust is stored in a seal and protected incidence of direct sunlight.
Where to find: Maca can be found easily in most health food stores or pharmacies in the form of capsules. use of healthworks or natives. Those who are in Brazil can opt for this option, that or that
Peruvian Maca
Ancient Peruvian Root Crop, Maca Is Gaining Popularity as a Supplement and Superfood. Maca Root Belongs to the Radish Family, and is most commonly available in powder form. is original from the mountains of Peru and nowadays you can find it almost in every natural store. since ive noted the benefits of the consumption of maca I use it on my daily eating routine. keep reading if you want to know more about the health benefits related with the consumption, nutritional value, ideas on how to use it, the best way yo store it and where to find it.
Benefits of Maca Powder
research has demonstrated that nutrition plays a crucial role in the prevention of chronic diseases, as most of them can be related to diet. Functional food enters the concept of considering food not only necessary for living but also as a source of mental and physical well-being, contributing to the prevention and reduction of risk factors for Several Diseases or Enhancing Certain Physiological Functions.
Maca is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Maca has been used to relieve menstrual issues and the side effects of going through menopause by controlling some sexual hormones. Its well known that free radicals damage contributions to the etiology of many chronic health problems such as cardiovascular and inflammmatory disease, cataract, and cancer. In this context, the study has also shown that frequent intake of maca powder can help to combat free radicals and help the human body to battle against the aging process. research suggestions that free radical damage to cells leads to the pathological changes associated with aging.
the results from another study Showed that in addition to reduction in body weight, blood pressure and increasing serum hdl and iron, pre-gelatinized maca-go may be a valuable non-hormonal plant preparation for balancing Levels of Hormones (FSH, E2, PG and ACTH) and Allviating Negative Physiological and Psychological Symptoms (Frequency of Hot Flushes, Incident in Night Sweating, Interrupted Sleep Pattern, Nervousness, Depression and Heart Palpitations) experienced by women in Perimenopausal Stage. It appears that maca-go may act as a toner of hormonal processes, leading to alleviation of discomfort felt by perimenopausal women, hence, its potential use as non-hormonal Alternative to HRT Program.
Nutritional Value Per 28 Grams
- 91 kcal
- Total FAT: 1g; Saturated: 0g; Trans: 0g
- Protein: 4G
- Total Carbohydrate: 20g; FIBER: 2G
vitamins
- Vitamin C 78.9mg 133% DV
- Riboflavin 0.1mg 6% dv
- niacin 1.6mg 8% dv
- Vitamin B6 0.3mg 16% DV
minerals
- Calcium 70mg 7% DV
- Iron 4.1 mg 23% dv
- Potassium 560mg 16% DV
- Copper 1.7 mg 84% dv
- manganese 3.5 mg 6% dv
extra:
how to use it: The Maca Powder can be easily mixed with smoothies, soups, oatmeal or also in the daughter of cookies, breads and cakes. if you have a difficult time adjusting to the powder, you can also consume it as capsules. for the right dosage see your health practitioner.
where to store: to guarantee and preserve the quality of the powder, the best way to store its inside a sealed glass jar.
Where to Buy: Maca powder can be found in health food stores or online. i usually buy from healthworks or natives at Amazon.