If you’ve done some research into the potential benefits of adding maca root to your diet, you’ve likely come across articles arguing something like, “no one should ever eat raw maca” or “raw maca is dangerous.” But, is that really true? Is all raw maca actually unsafe for anyone to eat? In this article we’ll have a closer look at this topic and answer those questions based on our experience in working with high-quality Peruvian grown maca for over 2 decades.
Maca is a unique root vegetable that grows natively in the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia, where it has been used for 1000s of years as both a food and natural medicine. Over the past several decades it has become increasingly popular outside of the Andes. Because of the many benefits of maca powder, it can now be found in health food and natural stores throughout much of the world. Most of us won’t personally ever see or taste a fresh raw maca root unless we travel to the high-altitude fields where maca is grown. But to get a sense of what they are like, you can imagine pulling a radish or turnip from the ground. The maca plant itself has a small leafy top which nourishes the root below. When a maca root is pulled from the ground, it is truly in its most “raw” or uncooked form. If you cut it open and tried to eat it, you’d notice that it has a spicy, bitter and starchy taste akin to horseradish (interestingly maca, like horseradish, is in the mustard family). No one regularly eats maca in this fresh raw form. Instead the raw maca products that we consume are processed in a couple of important ways before they are made commercially available. The first process maca roots undergo after harvest is drying. Drying is accomplished in one of two ways. The traditional method of drying maca is to spread the fresh roots out on large tarps in the high mountain sun. The roots are turned regularly and covered at night to help speed the process. They spend anywhere from 2-4 weeks in the sun and the result is a very dry root that contains less than 4% moisture content. The second method of drying maca is more modern. Freshly harvested maca roots are transported to large dehydrators where they are dried at low temperatures (below 115 F / 46 C) until the moisture content is reduced to less than 4%. This process is much quicker and preserves some more of maca’s nutrients, including glucosinolates, at higher levels. For that reason, roots that undergo this drying process are called “premium” quality. Learn more about premium vs. sundried maca.
With either drying process, the result is a very dry, rock hard maca root. Even though the process involves only low temperatures, it does change the maca roots from their initial form. This is similar to how a raisin is different from a grape or a prune is different from a plum. In maca’s case, drying changes the taste dramatically. If you were to rehydrate a dried maca root and then eat it you would notice that the taste is sweeter and that much, if not all, of the spiciness is gone. That is due to chemical reactions during the drying process. In summary, when we are talking about “raw maca” we are not talking about fresh maca roots, but rather maca roots that have been sundried or low temperature dried before being processed for final consumption. That’s an important distinction since the drying process does change some of the chemical and nutritive composition of the root.
Overall, maca is regarded as a safe food to eat. There are no known contraindications to adding it to your diet. There are, however, 2 general concerns regarding specifically the consumption of raw maca.One: Raw maca contains starch which makes digestion more difficult for some people – Similar to a potato, raw maca contains starch. Starch is difficult to digest for some people and can cause temporary upset stomach symptoms. This is a result of undigested carbohydrates which can ferment in the digestive tract and cause discomfort. If this occurs to you when you eat raw maca powder or raw maca capsules, simply discontinue use and try one of the suggestions we list below in the “alternatives to raw maca” section of this article. Overall, this is not really a safety concern as any digestive discomfort will dissipate once you stop consuming a raw maca product. Also, it’s important to know that raw maca only affects about 10% of people in this way. It may not affect your digestion at all. Two: Can raw maca can mold and accumulate toxins, especially aflatoxins? - The second concern around the safety of raw maca is mold content. The argument is that raw maca roots can easily mold during storage and if they are not cooked this mold will be in the final product. While this is possible if maca is not handled carefully, it is also avoidable. Here is how:
If, after reading this, you’d rather consume maca in a cooked form there are several alternatives. At The Maca Team you can:
In conclusion, based on our experience, the assertions that “no one should ever eat raw maca” and “raw maca is dangerous” are a bit hyperbolic. When you are sure that the maca you use is pure, has been stored and processed carefully and has been packaged to eliminate exposure to moisture there is little to no danger in consuming raw maca powder or capsules. Additionally, if you have generally strong starch digestion, raw maca won’t affect your digestive system in any negative way.
We’ve been offering both raw and gelatinized maca for nearly 20 years and both have gotten rave reviews. In addition, several of us at The Maca Team have enjoyed raw maca for years and years with no negative issues. Plus there are some advantages to taking raw maca vs. gelatinized maca and (vice versa).
In summary whether you take gelatinized or raw maca, as long as you are getting a pure, high-quality Peruvian grown product, we’re confident that positive and life enhancing results will follow.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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