Maca root is a nutrient rich vegetable that grows in the high Andes mountains of Peru and Bolivia. It is increasing in popularity as a “superfood” due to its many reported benefits. If you’ve heard about maca and researched it a bit, you’ve probably come across reports of its energy boosting characteristics. But, is that actually true? Is maca root stimulating? In this article we’ll have a look at how maca root powder and other forms of maca are similar to and different from more commonly known stimulant foods.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary a stimulant is “an agent (such as a drug) that produces a temporary increase of the functional activity or efficiency of an organism or any of its parts.” When it comes to the most common type of natural stimulants, coffee, tea, nicotine and ginseng are among the most well-known. Each of these substances can temporarily increase energy levels, alertness, focus and feelings of well-being. This type of stimulation often involves prompting the adrenal glands to produce more hormones than necessary which puts your body into a heightened state for a number of hours, leading to a later crash in energy.
Interestingly, maca can also have a stimulating effect on the body (more on that in the moment) but it works in a much different way than coffee or tea. These substances contain either caffeine or theine, which temporarily boosts energy by activating the adrenal glands. Maca root, however, contains absolutely no caffeine or theine. That means it does not interact with the adrenals. The benefit to this is that maca will not give you an “energy crash” after taking it like coffee and tea can. Instead the energy that comes from maca is more sustained.In addition, unlike coffee or tea, maca does not lead to inflammation in some people, does not tend to increase blood pressure (maca actually can support lower blood pressure), does not become less effective with overuse and does not have negative symptoms when you decide to take a break.
Comparing maca root to coffee or tea is not a particularly good comparison. While coffee and tea give a near immediate boost to energy levels, the energy that comes from taking maca comes on slower and lasts longer.
There are three a major things that maca does to stimulate energy levels.
The research about the stimulating properties of maca is ongoing. Original research on maca for energy (done in the 2000s) was promising and since then there have been several studies that connect maca with this particular benefit. Pubmed lists over 40 of them currently. Here are some highlights:
What this research suggests is certainly promising and leads us to conclude that maca is a unique and excellent stimulant. Of course, research is ongoing, especially research on humans as several of the studies cited above were animal studies.
We have a variety of feedback on our maca from customers as well. Many rave about its ability to stimulate their energy levels. (More maca reviews here).
"Your products have brought me more energy, than I had in over 30 years. Sure glad your family have invested in bring the most Maca have to offer, please keep that up. Thank You" -Diego L. Chance
"I have a physical job lifting heavy boxes up to 100lbs. I need help from others but when they are not around I depend on Maca to get me through. If I miss two days I really feel the weakness at work." - R.J.
"I had been taking the yellow maca and when I ran out I decided to try the red maca. Seems to work better for me. Since I have a rare blood gene where I can't take hormones the red maca is really making a difference for me. My energy levels and sex drive have really improved." - Rose Anne
"I feel it shortly after consuming it, as it produces a surge of energy, I feel I'm in charge mode." - Dennis Gard
"The black maca has been a great addition to the vegan protein powder which I have been taking for a month. I go to the gym 3-4 times per week, and the maca appears to help in my workout recovery." - C.J.
You’ll see that some of the feedback from customers suggests that the boost in energy from maca comes quickly after consuming it. While that is the case for some people, it is certainly not universal. For many, maca root takes several weeks to build up in the system and to begin stabilizing the endocrine system. Depending on your levels of stress, age, activity level and more, maca may take a while to work. We recommend staying consistent with it for at least one month.
Once you’re past that month (or earlier if your body responds more quickly) you are likely to feel an increase in energy and focus about an hour after taking maca powder capsules, extract or chips. This increase is NOT like the jolt you might experience from coffee, tea or an energy drink. Rather, it’s more pleasant and gives most people a feeling of increased motivation and mental clarity. This often lasts for several hours before gradually fading. Some people like to take some maca extracts at that point if needed for an additional boost.
Note: one way to energize your day even more quickly is to try our maca superfood blend called The Morning Motivator. It’s meant as a coffee replacement or alternative that increases energy in a healthier way.
First, there are no known contraindications for taking maca. It is a food and not a pharmaceutical. That said, maca can lower your blood pressure, so make sure to keep that in mind and consult with your doctor if you are on blood pressure medicines. Beyond that, if you have sensitive digestion be sure to choose a gelatinized (pre-cooked) maca product over a raw one. Gelatinzied maca has had the starch removed and will not cause any indigestion.
We hope that this article has helped you answer the question of whether maca is a stimulant or not and what kind of stimulant it is. There is so much upside to adding maca to your diet. We’ve seen so many people benefit and if you have not yet done so, we hope that you are next.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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