of maca root
What exactly is maca root?
Maca, considered the superfood of the Andes, is a root vegetable similar to a radish that is grown in the mineral-rich volcanic soil in the Peruvian mountains. Although in the US it seems to have been just “discovered”, maca has actually been around for hundreds of years! Not only did the Peruvians regularly use maca, the Spanish Conquistadors who invaded Peru found that eating this ancient plant helped them and their animals combat stress and thrive in the higher altitudes.
The benefits of maca
Much has been written about the sexual benefits of maca, but that isn’t this super root’s only virtue. In addition to heating things up in the bedroom, maca supports the adrenal glands, which leads to increased energy, stable hormone levels, minimal cravings for sugar, and a better ability to deal with physical emotional and mental stress. It is easy to believe that if you feel stronger and less stressed, well, you are more likely to be “in the mood,” too.
Maca is also used by athletes who want to prevent injuries and recover more quickly from their workouts. Exercise, while beneficial to the body, is essentially a stress. In order to train most
effectively, it’s important to train hard and then allow the body to rest and rejuvenate more quickly after workouts. Maca helps with recovery by balancing out hormonal levels and supporting
the adrenals so that the body can bounce back. Additionally, maca contains sterols, a steroid-like compound found in plants and animals that promotes the quick regeneration of fatigued muscle
tissue.
Maca has a similar molecular makeup to serotonin, the "feel happy" neurotransmitter in the body. High serotonin levels are associated with elevated moods. Low levels of serotonin, on the other
hand, have been linked to depression, which can lead to food cravings. When the body is stressed, it causes carbohydrates or sugar cravings in an attempt to mimic or create serotonin. Without
upsetting blood sugar levels or contributing excess calories, maca satisfies the body's need for more serotonin, improving mood, relieving stress, and putting an end to carb cravings.
How to incorporate maca into a healthy diet
Maca has a mild nutty taste much like flax seed. The root, available at most health food stores, comes in a powdered form that is off-white in color. Maca is easy to add to your regular diet. You can sprinkle it over your morning cereal, stir it into yogurt or cottage cheese, add it to your favorite smoothie recipe or toss it with your salads. Maca is an easy way to add energy to your day!
Power-Me-Up Maca Green Smoothie
Serves 1
This is a basic green smoothie recipe. Experiment with ingredients to find your own favorite pick-me-up drink.
Ingredients:
Kale, spinach, romaine or other lettuce, torn into pieces
Vanilla almond milk (or vanilla soy or rice milk)
1 frozen banana (broken into chunks)
Handful of frozen blueberries or strawberries (optional)
Generous dash of maca
Dash of hemp seeds
1 tablespoon coconut butter
1 teaspoon flax seed oil
Handful of pumpkins seeds
Directions:
Place greens in a blender filling it up three-fourths of the way. Add remaining ingredients and puree.
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