There is no doubt that the liver is one of the most crucial organs in the body. And it simply makes good sense to keep our livers as healthy as possible. Maintaining a fully functioning liver involves eating a balanced diet, staying active, staying at a healthy weight, limiting alcohol consumption and avoiding toxins (1). These are especially important for anyone with compromised liver function.
As more and more people consider their liver health, we’ve been seeing more questions about the effect that maca has on the liver. In this article we will review the research as well as clarify a commonly misinterpreted article on the subject.
Maca (lepidium meyenni) has gained in popularity over the past 20 years and stimulated a significant amount of research. One of the most important areas of research involves maca’s safety as a food source. To date there are 100s of published studies regarding maca’s effect on important systems in the body. The results of these studies have been positive and maca is regarded as safe for both humans and animals by all researchers and authorities.
In terms of studies done on maca and the liver there have been about 15 directly related to the topic (2)
None of these studies contain any reference to maca being harmful to liver function in any way. And some even suggest that maca may be helpful to the liver. One study in particular concluded that maca may “lighten the inflammation produced in the body by alcohol” (3)
To be sure, more research is needed before making any general or sweeping conclusions, but it is telling that these studies have shown maca in a positive light when it comes to liver health.
Now, if you got here by searching “Is Maca Bad For The Liver?” on Google, you’ll likely have seen an article with a very scary sounding title: “Drug-induced Liver Injury Due to Lepidium meyenii (Maca) Medicinal Liquor.” (4)
Before pushing the panic button based on that title, let’s dive in and see what this article actually says and what it concludes.
At the beginning of the article, the authors point out that maca is considered as safe and has shown no evidence of being toxic to the liver:
“Maca has been intensively studied since its diverse repertoire of pharmacological properties. These experimental studies have not found any evidence of in vivo or in vitro toxicity associated with either long- or short-term consumption.”
Based on this preponderance of research, the authors were surprised to find the case they reference in their article. In this case, a person in China went to the hospital reporting stomach upset, regurgitation and excessive burping after having consumed 300ml of maca extract in an alcohol solution. Doctors were able to help the person quickly, but noted that a full liver recovery took longer than expected.
The authors of the article postulate that maca could have been responsible for the patient’s adverse reaction, and suggest that further research is necessary.
In essence, what we have is an extreme case with several important factors. First of all, the person drank a huge amount of maca extract – 300ml is equivalent to 10 ounces and is well over 20 times the amount recommended to consume at any one time. Second, the extract was alcohol based, which means that the person drank 10 ounces of alcohol. Finally, the maca in question was grown in China and was likely of inferior quality. See our article on Chinese grown maca here.
While we can agree with the authors of this article that more research is advisable, in no way is this one case representative of the millions of people who consume maca safely every year. When taken in recommended quantities and in proper preparations (powder, capsule and glycerin extracts), high quality maca has to date shown no risk factor for liver health.
Does all this research mean you should take maca without concerns? If you are healthy, we would say probably yes. If, however, you do have a pre-existing liver condition or other serious health condition it’s important to check with your physician before adding anything new to your diet including maca.
We hope that this article has been helpful and has shed some light on the state of research regarding maca and liver health. If you have any further questions please reach out to us. We’re always happy to help.
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.
Read All Reviews