As someone interested in black maca, you are may be wondering:
These excellent questions are understandable given the amount of hype surrounding this simple superfood – especially the black variety. Here, we hope to answer them for you and direct you to the best type of maca for your purposes.
Specifically, in this article, we will cover all the most important potential black maca root powder benefits. We offer relevant scientific evidence that is promising as well as stories from some of our long term customers regarding their experiences while enjoying this unique cruciferous vegetable.
A note before we dive in. It’s important to remember that black maca is classified as a food. The statements and findings we present here are based on scientific research, but should not be interpreted as a promise of similar results. Of course, they are not intended as medical advice. And remember, if you do have health questions about using maca, please see your doctor before proceeding.
Beyond just the color of their skin, what sets black maca roots apart? Over the past 15 years research has revealed several distinguishing features. All of the research we’ve compiled here can be viewed on the U.S. National Institutes of Health PubMed website using this link.
A study published in 2018 compared the functional biological activities of the 3 main phenotypes of Maca. The study concluded that the lipids and polysaccharides of black maca showed higher antioxidant effect than red and yellow. Red was less than 10% behind black and yellow about 25%. [1]
A study published in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” in 2018 found that Black Maca extract prevents metabolism disorders by helping regulate glucose, which is an important metabolite for humans. The brain requires about 50% of its calories from glucose and red blood cells subsist exclusively on glucose. This study showed that Black Maca enhances the production of glucose in the body and may thereby support a healthier metabolism. [2]
From 2006 to 2016 there have been several significant independent studies done on how black colored roots of maca affect both sperm production and sperm motility. The first significant study, published in 2006, found that Black Maca was the only color to effectively support the production of sperm among rats tested. It also found that, “Black Maca affects sperm count as early as 1 day after beginning of treatment.”[3]
A second study from 2006 found that “...black maca increased epididymal sperm count after 84 days of treatment” in the male rats studied. It also concluded that compared to other colors of maca, “black maca appeared to have more beneficial effect on sperm counts and epididymal sperm motility.” [4]
Similar results were found in 2016 with an increase in daily sperm production. This study, using mice, found that sperm motility as well as sexual dysfunction was affected positively by adding black maca root to the animals’ diet over the course of 12 weeks. [5]
In 2011 two different studies, one from China and one from Peru, found that Black Maca helped laboratory mice improve their memory and concentration skills.[6] [7]
In 2010 a team of 6 researchers reported that Red and Black Maca were found to be the best at improving and protecting bone structure especially in mice that had their ovaries removed. [8]
In 2006 a Peruvian team observed that while all maca colors contributed favorably to reducing depression, black maca also improved the learning and concentration abilities of laboratory mice. [9]
And a more recent study from 2016 from an esteemed and larger group of international researchers found that black maca improved mood as well as overall “quality of life.” [10]
After you’ve read through the details of this promising research, you might be wondering how black maca works for everyday people. As a functional food, it can indeed have some positive effects when added to one's daily diet. These effects can be broad ranging since maca is thought to work on the hormonal system.
As to specific health benefits of black maca root products, the following are words from some of our customers. Before continuing please take note that maca products are not intended to diagnose or treat any health condition. And if you have any doubts or questions regarding your health, please see a competent health care professional.
Muscular Endurance
“I bought the raw sundried black Maca, I am taking 2 teaspoons daily in the morning and after 3 days I noticed muscular endurance”… Romel
“Add endurance to your day! Black Macca is a great addition to morning protein drink for energy and lasting Stamina for your day”. Wayne Elms
Muscle Building and Fitness
“The Black Maca Product works great for me by improving endurance, mental balance/focus, and stamina during triathlon training for strength, running, biking, and swimming.” Donald
“I've been on this product for a year now. I'm 44 years old. I'm a bodybuilder middleweight. I compete against 25 year olds. Guess what? I always place top 5 when competing. This product has given me more energy, growth & power at the gym. Health wise I feel better than most 25 year olds out there. I never recommend this product to my competitors because I don't want them to get that winning edge. This is the secrete to my bodybuilding performance. - Frank
"Before the daily workout I mix a spoonful black maca w/ yogurt. Ideally Greek. The increased energy level allows for better lifting and cardio. Minimal lag time to feel effects. Sperm production has increased and libido is somewhat higher. Quite filling. Seems to help focus as well.". Nick
Libido
"I am a personal user of the Black Maca Product sold here, and I have to say it is excellent. I love the libido boost it gives and it seems to also provide a nice balancing of the hormonal system. As a 57-year-old man I noticed the difference. Also, being the owner of my own supplement company, product sold here, and I have to say it is excellent. I love the libido boost it gives and it seems to also provide a nice balancing of the hormonal system. As a 57-year-old man I noticed the difference." – Collin Kirkpatrick
“Black Maca does increase your Libido. You have to give is some time to work but after a week or so you'll start to notice the increase.” Doug
“And the usual libido boost...I wake up like I was 18 again and yes the urge is back in full force. I take this product with my whey protein before bed and early in the morning. On workout days... an additional intake right after my gym session.” -AZ
Alertness and Energy
“…after taking the black MACA for a week, I experienced better alertness and energy. I don't feel so tired come the evening.” Eh Poh
“I enjoy the boost in energy levels and mental alertness when I take my dose of maca first thing on an empty stomach in the morning.” GT
“Working 3rd shift this keeps me going for 8 to 12 hrs. The taste is strong so I mix 3/4 tip of mighty leaf match green tea powder with 1 1/2 tap of raw black maca powder in a water bottle. I drink 2 to 3 bottles while working and I'm good all night. And with no side effects.” CJ
Weight Loss
"I had lots of trouble losing weight being one of many postmenopausal women in the world. Then around 6 months ago I started taking this Black Maca daily and along with interment fasting I have lost all they weight I needed to, It really has brought my hormone back to when I was much younger." Teri Kavakos
If you’ve researched it a bit, black maca is sometimes considered to be "men's maca." That’s primarily because, as you’ve seen in the research above, black maca has been shown to be the best for building sperm count and muscle-building. But it’s also just fine for women to use black maca products and many women do just that. It’s worth noting that maca does not contain any hormones. Instead, it acts as a natural supplement that stimulates the body with nutrients to potentially achieve healthy hormone levels. Many of our female customers interested in muscle building and increasing strength and stamina enjoy it regularly and use it for weight loss benefits as well.
Based on the research and our experience we typically recommend black maca supplements for:
Although most people do report health benefits from adding black maca to their lives, results do vary. We want to stress again that maca is a food and it takes time to work and may not work for everyone. To make sure that you set yourself up for success we recommend that you:
Each individual body responds at a different rate to maca. For a few, first benefits show up in a few days and for others it’s several weeks. If you follow the advice above you’re certainly more likely to enjoy more of these over time. That said, if you are taking black maca without the results you are looking for please let us know and we’ll help you troubleshoot.
Before moving on, we encourage you to visit our main black maca page. This will help you decide which type (raw – gelatinized – premium) and which format of it (powder – capsules - chips – liquid extracts) to try.
Our sincere hope is that this article has helped you learn more about the potential benefits of this simple food. And as always, we are more than happy to answer any further questions you might have on black maca supplements. Just let us know.
Next up – Visit our black maca page and shop
Enjoy the day!
I shop around a lot for my supplements and health foods, and I have to say you guys at The Maca Team are light years ahead of anyone else selling maca out in the marketplace. Thanks for all you do!
By Jim Price, The Green Marketing Guru
Loving the red maca from themacateam. I can tell the difference from my usual store-bought brands. It really tastes so fresh and sweet compared to others. I really love this product. Thanks for sourcing it for us to enjoy
By Michelle Gebbia
I LOVE Maca Team Maca...this was my first purchase with the Maca Team and I have no need to try any other Maca-producer. The Maca tastes fresh and flavorful, the Kilo bag is a great price, and I feel so much more at ease (Maca is such powerful medicine :) )
By Lizzie Thompson
I take 24 products from five to six times a week to increase my well-being and sensual and sexual delights. ;D The Maca Team’s organic maca is one of them—nine grams in my smoothie, Monday to Saturday. The Maca Team is a small business run by a family who cares about its customers, its Peruvian maca growers, and the environment. It's vital to know the source of everything we put in our mouths. Physical and mental health are precious treasures. :D
By Jerry Montero
By Milt Thompson
This product is amazing! I have used other cheaper brands of white maca with fairly good results, but after trying the Maca Team maca, I noticed within two weeks all of my menopausal symptoms had completely vanished. Others described a bad taste and smell, but I have tried the black and the red and find them both to be mild tasting. I use a tablespoon in my daily smoothly
By Joy
Maca first came to us by our vitamin supplier. Then we ordered from the Maca Team. Comparison? Think fire-fly, then think mid-day sun. At 76 and 73 years respectively, that is a big deal; and at comparable cost too. We never have we had such speedy delivery and the packaging is the strongest, most protective we've seen, ever, at all ... anywhere. Further, the Mrs. no longer takes hormone supplements. And Mr. scans the morning want ads for steady P/T work.
By George & Sherri
I had been using another brand of maca powder and decided to try The Maca Team's. The difference in freshness is night and day, and better tasting . I'm 6 foot 250 lbs. and take 4 teaspoons every day w/ my protein shake. Great energy boost and just feel great all day. I can tell a difference when I do not take it. best price that I have found {36oz}. I will be buying more as needed.
By J.D.
I've tried various maca brands over the last 20 years and The Maca Team brand is very special. There is definitely a difference when it comes to the quality and colors of the maca. This red maca does seem to nourish certain parts of my body while the black maca nourishes something else. I know I've been missing the nutrition these maca provide. I'm 75 years old and bodies wear out, but I'm finding I'm regaining a functioning body. How wonderful is this?!?!!!
By Janis Ihrig
I just wanted to thank you for your excellently constructed website. I am a physician and I recently started learning about Maca. I get a very good sense of it, and I expect I will try it out myself and possibly be recommending it to patients in the future. If so, your website will be the first place to send people. Thanks again.
By Adam Holt
Love the Maca team, In an earlier comment I said I was on the fence about where to buy Maca .Not anymore .You shouldn’t be either. The team has answered any questions I’ve had promptly. I feel like I’m dealing with friends, not some company far away out for my money only. The Maca is fresh, prices are good, the people are nice. If you’re on the fence, don’t be, you won’t be sorry.
By Bob
My Maca came in today and it has all the information on it! I must say this is the best tasting Maca I have tried!! Thank you again for a great product!! I will only order from you in future as well!
By Stormi Evans
First I would like to say I love this product. I was very skeptical about a natural product with so many benefits but this stuff really works. Second, I love this company. From the web site to the way they run their company this a top-notch team. I will be ordering from The Maca Team from now on. Great job guys keep doing what you are doing.
By Darren Rivers Sr.
We love this product. I own a store and work with clients holistically. We have recommended maca for years however, this is the highest quality product we have ever carried. I am proud to offer it in my store.
By Mellissa Gage, Infinity and Beyond
I am really happy that I chose the Maca Team, today you can find many distributors selling Maca powder, however quality of the powder is impossible to compare. Moreover, the results after 2 weeks I could feel. Before I was taking maca powder and I did not feel any changes. But since I started taking Maca from Maca Team the changes are incredible. So, I did a test.:) I gave the powder to my partner ... and after 2 weeks he was impressed and told me that he has more energy, feeling happy... Thank you The Maca Team!!!!
By Olga
I do want to say that I have done quite a bit of research on different companies that offer Maca and The Maca Team definitely is the most reputable. Thank you again for your kindness and professionalism :)
By T.C.
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