Leaves Own Maca is Now available in store and Online

Maca is a root vegetable native to Peru. It's one of the few crops that can handle extreme altitudes and for centuries, people native to the region have used it for nutrition and stamina.

There’s even evidence to suggest that domestication of this root began over 2000 years ago.

While some have attempted to grow maca in other climates, the medicinal properties aren't nearly as strong as the maca that grows in the high Andes. 

What’s the deal with maca powder?

Maca root powder has a strong flavour which many people describe as earthy and nutty. It's popular in smoothies, oatmeal or sweets and even added to coffee or hot chocolate.

Historians believe that indigenous people began using maca as an energizer after they saw the positive effects that it had on their livestock. It makes sense seeing as maca has a high concentration of proteins, vitamins and minerals.

As it turns out, maca is a wonderful hormonal regulator, functional and energetic food.

We didn't see a lot of inforamtion on maca outside of Peru until the mid-sixities.

It wasn’t until 1964 when maca was first introduced to a larger-scale international audience that its positive effects on the human body became known. 

 At first, not everyone was onboard with maca. In fact, during the eighties maca cultivation hit a record low and crops began disappearing in some regions. It wasn’t until the late nineties that maca took the spotlight and health-conscious health professionals and people from other regions and countries started giving testimony to its positive effects on human health and well being.  

Maca is a nutritionally dense plant and valuable to overall health. Multiple studies show that it can increase energy and stamina as well as boost fertility and libido.

These organic, dried maca products are gelatinized (cooked) using low temperatures to heat maca under pressure for a few seconds.  This process separates the starches making it easier to digest, while preserving all the nutrients, minerals and vitamins.

The Benefits of Maca Powder

So, is the hype worth it?

Some athletes and bodybuilders use maca root as a supplement to increase energy and endurance. Studies have also claimed that it can help you gain muscle, increase strength, boost energy and improve exercise performance.

In 2009, a pilot study found that using maca extract for 14 days improved athletic performance for male cyclists in a 40-kilometer time trial. That same study also found that maca extract improved libido in the participants. However, it is important to note that the sample size of this study was very small.

One of the most famous benefits of maca is its ability to increase libido. Consequently, maca has been heavily marketed as being effective at improving sexual desire.

A 2010 review of studies on maca found some evidence to suggest maca could improve libido and a 2015 study found that maca root may help reduce sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women taking antidepressants.

Some proponents of maca also believe it may help balance levels of the hormone estrogen. One study looked at the hormone-balancing effects of maca and found that postmenopausal women who took two daily tablets containing maca experienced reduced symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats.

The benefits of maca don't stop there. Maca may improve your mental well-being and mood. Several studies have also linked maca to an enhanced mood and reduce anxiety and symptoms of depression, particularly in menopausal women. 

 Maca powder is an adaptogen, which basically means it helps your body adapt to stressful situations. Systems such as your endocrine system. Your endocrine system produces the hormones that help to regulate your metabolism, sleep and mood. When your endocrine system is balanced you experience fewer fluctuations in these hormones, so you may notice more stable sleep patterns and moods.

Leaves Commitment to Sustainability

Leaves organic dried maca products are sustainably cultivated in the high Andes of central Peru. Local farmers have been working the land for generations and have the utmost respect for the land, its richness and abundance. 

Supporting sustainable agricultural practices helps ensure the environment is safe and preserves the farmers culture and traditions. Leaves sources maca from local farmers which contributes to the improvement of living conditions in rural communities. In addition, it contributes to keeping farmers employed, and helping communities thrive by moving from economic instability to self-sufficiency.