Maca in the Morning

It’s a cold morning, and you’re up with the sunrise to get your day started. Whether that means getting the kids ready for school or going for a run before heading to work, it’s important to get off to a good start! Your first instinct might be to brew a cup of coffee…or maybe two cups of coffee. According to the National Coffee Association (yes, there’s a National Coffee Association!) an estimated 66% of Americans are coffee fiends. This isn’t inherently a bad thing. That said, getting caffeinated has its drawbacks. Sugary commercial beverages tend to be heavy in calories, and the problem with caffeine is that it often comes with the morning jitters and a mid-day crash.

Whether you’re looking for a caffeine alternative or simply seeking to develop healthier habits, you might consider making maca part of your daily routine. Let’s look at some of the reasons you should swap out that cup of joe with a cup of maca instead!

What is Maca Root?

Maca, sometimes referred to by its scientific name of Lepidium meyenii, is a Peruvian plant of the Brassicacae family that for many years grew exclusively in the Peruvian Andes. So what makes maca special? Besides the fact that it’s rich in fiber, essential amino acids, and other nutrients, it also contains glucosinolates, which are anti-inflammatory, cancer-fighting agents. These are only some of the benefits that earn maca its title as not just any food, but a superfood.

Maca vs. Caffeine 

What’s so appealing about caffeine? It’s perhaps the most commonly used stimulant in the world, and “cafe culture” is present in numerous countries. Found in popular beverages like coffee and tea, caffeine works by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain to reduce fatigue. Caffeine is rapidly and completely absorbed within an hour following ingestion. It is distributed throughout body water and readily crosses cell membranes including the brain. This results in a quick, noticeable boost in energy and alertness. Key benefits of caffeine include enhanced focus and stamina. Caffeinated beverages are widely available and very popular, making it easy to integrate them into your daily routine.

So what makes maca different? The source of maca’s energy-enhancing properties is its nutritional content. Maca is called a superfood for a reason. It’s packed with essential vitamins and amino acids, in addition to two unique compounds called macaenes and macamides which are celebrated for their antioxidative qualities. Maca is an adaptogen, which means that it helps your body react and recover more quickly from sources of physiological and mental or emotional stress.

In addition to alleviating physical fatigue, maca has been found to help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Though the effects of maca aren’t felt as quickly as caffeine, time and dedication pay off, giving you a source of energy that doesn’t result in a mid-day crash or the jitters.

Why Choose Maca?

Though nowhere near as dangerous as other addictive substances, it’s nonetheless easy to build a tolerance to caffeine levels, meaning with time you’ll need more and more to continue to benefit from it. And of course, there’s the crash. You can typically expect your morning coffee to keep you going from four to six hours. That means that once that time has passed the benefits of caffeine will wear off, and you’ll either have to slog through the rest of your day or drink more coffee.

his isn’t the case with maca root. That’s not to say that you won’t have any issues while starting on your maca regimen - due to maca root’s high starch content, a small percentage of users may experience some stomach upset. This can be easily remedied by switching to gelatinized maca products, which have been pre-cooked to cut down on the starch content. While coffee can provide a near-instant rush, maca should be a habit if you want to fully enjoy it. You can expect it to take two to eight weeks of regular use before you can really see its impact on your life. To get the most out of your maca, we recommend checking out The Morning Motivator, our maca coffee substitute!

Why Buy The Maca Team’s Maca?

We want to do our best to support your health-conscious decision. We’ve worked hard to source the highest-quality organic maca root for our customers, direct from our fields in Peru. DON’T hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. You can Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at 888-919-8616.

Enjoy the Day!