Maca is sweeping the health-food nation with its surprising potency and undeniable health benefits, and experts are now starting to recognize black maca benefits.
Strong and resilient, the maca plant grows at altitudes of up to 14,500 feet in the Andes of central Peru. For thousands of years, maca root was used medicinally by ancient Peruvians as an aphrodisiac, and to cure a variety of ailments including menstrual problems, menopause symptoms, anemia, stomach cancer, tuberculosis, and to improve memory and boost energy levels.
According to Herb Affair, the Inca warriors gained their infamous strength and stamina from ingesting large quantities of maca root before battle.
Only recently has the western world caught on to the incredibly powerful health benefits that this root has to offer— and it is now found in almost every health food store across the US.
Three types of maca are harvested, exported, and sold as supplements: red maca, yellow maca and black maca. Red and yellow maca root are the most common and most easily acquired. Black maca is rarer, but is quickly gaining popularity due to its impressive health-boosting abilities. It’s also a bit elusive, so those who can get their hands on it do so quickly.
Black Maca Benefits
These are some of the most important black maca benefits you too can enjoy.
1. Black Maca for Male Fertility
While red maca may be beneficial for balancing hormones to improve women’s fertility, black maca is especially effective in boosting male fertility. It has been shown to increase sperm count and volume without affecting hormone levels.
If you’re trying to conceive, you or your partner can take black maca to ensure the healthiest and strongest sperm to kick-start a healthy and strong pregnancy.
2. Black Maca for Increased Libido
Both men and women can benefit from black maca for increased libido. Historically, maca root was used as an aphrodisiac, and red and black maca are the best types for this purpose.
3. Black Maca for Memory
Maca in general is known to improve mood and cognition, but black maca is especially beneficial for memory, concentration, and learning.
It can provide extra clarity and focus, enabling you to think straight and better retain information.
Not only can black maca help you think straight, but it may even improve memory in people who are memory-impaired. It can improve function in those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, and prevent or delay it in those who are predisposed.
4. Black Maca for Bone Health
One of the important black maca benefits is its ability to improve bone architecture and provide protection from bone disease like osteoporosis. This may be due to its high levels of bioavailable calcium.
This is significant for postmenopausal women, 25% of whom are affected by osteoporosis according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 10 million Americans have osteoporosis, and 80% of them are women. One reason for this is due to the decrease in estrogen after menopause, which protects bones and prevents bone loss.
This means that black maca may be beneficial for postmenopausal women looking to protect their bone health.
5. Black Maca for Athletic Performance
Black maca may be the most beneficial of the three types of maca for muscle building and endurance.
People looking to build muscle for increased strength, as well as athletes— both male and female— are recommended to take black maca. Not only can maca help you increase muscle mass, but it also gives you a balanced and steady boost of energy so that you can train harder and for longer.
Who Should Take Black Maca?
Black maca is often associated with men’s sexual health, because it increases fertility and libido in men. And while black maca benefits men greatly, it’s also proven to be an ideal supplement for many women— especially for postmenopausal women looking to protect bone health and increase libido.
Black maca is recommended for the following people:
- Both men and women for bone strength
- Both men and women for libido
- Men of all ages for increased fertility (sperm count and volume)
- People looking to increase muscle mass and endurance
- Athletes looking to train harder and build more muscle
- People looking to improve memory, cognition, and learning
Where Can I Find Black Maca?
Black maca may be available in your local health food store. If you can’t find it there, you can order it online from various websites and online marketplaces.
Make sure that the maca you are buying is 100% organic, and that it comes from the Andes in Peru and not from China, where fake maca is sometimes produced in labs.
A Final Word From Energetic Lifestyle
When you finally get your hands on black maca, you may be a little surprised to discover that black maca powder is not, in fact—black. That’s because the black color is mainly on the skin of the root, and the inside is a cream color. Therefore, your black maca powder will look dark cream or beige in color.
Maca has an earthy, nutty taste, making it easy to hide in desserts, chocolates, and smoothies. Take it every day, and you’ll begin to notice results in a few weeks.
Have you ever used maca powder? Would you? Drop a comment and let us know if you would ever try maca!
In Peru maca is so popular, you can buy it all over in the markets and it’s dirt cheap! Can’t wait to go back to stock up.
Yes, I was in Lima last year and got a freshly made shake. It was super strong, but also intensely energizing. You can also buy the powders in bulk there for a few dollars a bag, it’s a commodity.