Maca Research
The Pubmed databasecontains hundreds of scientific articles on Maca. We’ve taken the most relevant research on Maca and categorized them by the type of results discovered. Use the links to read more about each article.
Research Notice
This page lists selected published research for general educational purposes. The studies vary in design, size, population, and the form of maca studied. Some involve animals or laboratory models and should not be interpreted as establishing effects in humans or as evidence that any product sold by The Maca Team will produce a particular result.
This information is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
General Maca Research
Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands. Gonzales GF. Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy and High Altitude Research Institute, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Honorio Delgado 430, Lima 31, Peru.
Influence of colour type and previous cultivation on secondary metabolites in hypocotyls and leaves of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers). Clément C, Diaz Grados DA, Avula B, Khan IA, Mayer AC, Ponce Aguirre DD, Manrique I, Kreuzer M.
Lepidium meyenii (Maca): a plant from the highlands of Peru–from tradition to science. Gonzales GF, Gonzales C, Gonzales-Castañeda C. Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
Maca and Athletic Performance
A pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmen. Stone M, Ibarra A, Roller M, Zangara A, Stevenson E. School of Psychology and Sports Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, UK
Maca and Bones
Effects of different varieties of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on bone structure in ovariectomized rats.
Gonzales C, Cárdenas-Valencia I, Leiva-Revilla J, Anza-Ramirez C, Rubio J, Gonzales GF. Biological and Physiological Science Department, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
Influence of Lepidium meyemii walp on lipid and bone mass in ovariectomized rats. Wang Z, Yang J, Wang G, Bian L. Institute for Nutrition and Food Safety, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China.
Maca and Cognitive Function
Neuroprotective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca).
Pino-Figueroa A, Nguyen D, Maher TJ. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Maca and Emotions
Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content. Brooks NA, Wilcox G, Walker KZ, Ashton JF, Cox MB, Stojanovska L. School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Victoria University, St. Albans, Victoria, Australia.
Effect of three different cultivars of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on learning and depression in ovariectomized mice. Rubio J, Caldas M, Dávila S, Gasco M, Gonzales GF. Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy and Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima,
Maca and Reproductive Health
Effect of maca supplementation on bovine sperm quantity and quality followed over two spermatogenic cycles. Clément C, Kneubühler J, Urwyler A, Witschi U, Kreuzer M. ETH Zurich, Institute of Plant, Animal and Agroecosystem Sciences, Zurich, Switzerland.
Maca and Memory
Dose-response effect of black maca (Lepidium meyenii) in mice with memory impairment induced by ethanol.
Rubio J, Yucra S, Gasco M, Gonzales GF. Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy and Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia , Lima , Peru.
Aqueous Extract of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on Memory Impairment Induced by Ovariectomy in Mice. Rubio J, Qiong W, Liu X, Jiang Z, Dang H, Chen SL, Gonzales GF. Research Center for Pharmacology and Toxicology, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, China.
Maca and Mid-Life
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for treatment of menopausal symptoms: A systematic review.
Lee MS, Shin BC, Yang EJ, Lim HJ, Ernst E. Division of Standard Research, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, South Korea.
Maca and Male Health
Effect of red maca (Lepidium meyenii) on prostate zinc levels in rats with testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia.
Gonzales C, Leiva-Revilla J, Rubio J, Gasco M, Gonzales GF. Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy and Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Antagonistic effect of Lepidium meyenii (red maca) on prostatic hyperplasia in adult mice. Gonzales GF, Gasco M, Malheiros-Pereira A, Gonzales-Castañeda C. Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Maca and Sexual Function
Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review.
Shin BC, Lee MS, Yang EJ, Lim HS, Ernst E. Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Oriental Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, South Korea.
Subjective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) extract on well-being and sexual performances in patients with mild erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial.Zenico T, Cicero AF, Valmorri L, Mercuriali M, Bercovich E. Department of Urology, Morgagni-Pierantoni Hospital, Forlì, Italy.
A double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. Dording CM, Fisher L, Papakostas G, Farabaugh A, Sonawalla S, Fava M, Mischoulon D. Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Maca and Skin
Photoprotection against the UVB-induced oxidative stress and epidermal damage in mice using leaves of three different varieties of Lepidium meyenii (maca). Gonzales-Castañeda C, Rivera V, Chirinos AL, Evelson P, Gonzales GF. Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Herediam Lima, Peru.
Hypocotyls of Lepidium meyenii (maca), a plant of the Peruvian highlands, prevent ultraviolet A-, B-, and C-induced skin damage in rats. Gonzales-Castañeda C, Gonzales GF. Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Continue Reading the Maca Guide
Research is only one part of understanding maca. For a more complete picture, explore the rest of our guide covering benefits, how maca works, comparisons, history, and who maca may be a fit for.
- Maca Guide – Your starting point for the full guide.
- Maca Benefits – A broader look at why people use maca.
- How Maca Works – A practical look at compounds, nutrients, and why effects may differ.
- Maca Comparisons – Raw vs. gelatinized, colors, forms, and other key differences.
- Maca History – Traditional use, cultivation, and Peruvian background.
- Who Is Maca For? – A practical overview of who may be interested in maca.
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