• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

VegKitchen logo

  • Vegan Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Baking and Sweets
    • Breakfast
    • Main Dishes
    • Pasta and Noodles
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches and Wraps
    • Sauces, Dressings, and Condiments
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups, Stews, and Chilis
    • Snacks and Dips
    • Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Canning and Preserving
    • Cheese-y Delights
    • Global Recipes
    • Raw Vegan
    • Slow-Cooker
  • Vegan Living
    • Vegan Substitutions Guide
    • Green Kitchen
    • Healthy Eating Tips
    • Food and Produce Guides
    • Vegan Food Hacks
    • Kid Friendly
    • Vegan Product Reviews
    • More Vegan Living
  • About
  • Shop Cookbooks
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Vegan Recipes
  • Vegan Living
  • Cookbooks
  • About Us
  • Freebie!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Vegan Living
    • Cookbooks
    • About Us
    • Freebie!
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Healthy Eating Tips

    Frequently Asked Questions About Maca Root

    Published: Oct 13, 2016 · Updated: Aug 18, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links.

    What is maca root, exactly?
    Maca is a root vegetable (alternatively referred to as a tuber) that’s a distant cousin of the radish family. A member of the species Lepidium meyenii, it’s grown in the mountains of Peru and Bolivia. Maca’s benefits have long been valued by indigenous cultures. More recently, its use as a superfood has spread worldwide, and its popularity is growing exponentially.

    What are maca’s health benefits?
    Maca has been used for many health- and vitality-enhancing purposes for millennia. For more information, see our article, 7 Top Health Benefits of Maca. 

    Maca Root for Health and Vitality

    A concise and useful book on maca, in both e-book and paperback, is available on Amazon.com. E-book:  Maca Root for Health and Vitality: How to Use and Benefit from the Superfood, with 20 Easy Recipes. And the same title in paperback: Maca Root for Health and Vitality.

    Maca has been called “Peruvian ginseng” for its benefits as a tonic and for its concentration of nutrients. It’s considered an adaptogen for its ability to help the body manage stress and boost immunity. It has been used to enhance libido, fertility, and athletic stamina. Be aware that though many of these and other claims are credible, they’re largely anecdotal, as maca has just recently started to be formally studied. For a more formal study of maca, see this one from The National Institute of Health.

    Maca powder and root

    How does maca taste, and what’s the best way to use it?
    Maca root powder has a distinct flavor that’s been described as alternatively as malty, or like caramel or toffee. It has also been called nutty, and some even find it has hints of butterscotch. Though maca in an of itself isn’t sweet, it lends itself best to preparations that are on the sweet side, like beverages, unbaked cookies and bars, smoothies, and cereals. You can sprinkle it right onto hot or cold cereals, as shown at the top of this post, enhancing a bowl of warm oatmeal. Shown below are No-Bake Vegan Cocoa Maca-Roons and Mocha Maca Banana Smoothie. For more detailed information, see Five Easy Ways to Use Maca Powder in Food.

    No-bake maca-roons

    How much should be used?
    When first starting to use maca root powder, it’s best to begin by taking smaller amounts and building up; as little as ½ teaspoon is a good place to start. One tablespoon of the powdered root is an average daily dose, Using up to two tablespoons a day is fine too, depending on body weight. Maca is a powerful superfood and should be used in moderation. It's also recommended that if you take it on a daily basis, to take a couple of days off each week, or to take it for 3 weeks, then take a break for a week.

    mocha maca banana smoothie

    How can maca enhance exercise?
    According to an article on Livestrong, as a concentrated source of nutrients, maca is a great fuel for exercise. And since it’s antioxidant-rich, it may minimize muscle soreness and enhance muscle repair following strenuous activity. Its general use as a tonic and energy-booster may provide just the incentive to get moving in the first place! Maca is rich in the minerals calcium, magnesium and silica, all of which enhance bone health — great news for active people.

    Where can I buy maca?
    You can purchase maca at your local natural foods store (if they don’t carry it, ask if they’ll special order if for you) or online. Amazon carries a number of brands. Go to Amazon’s maca page to compare brands, see reviews, and look over answers to reader questions by the companies that sell maca.

    If you live outside the U.S., explore your home country’s Amazon site. Maca can also be purchased directly from distributors like The Maca Team (this site also has a lot of useful information).

    Is maca organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO?
    Yes, most of the major maca brands sold are organic and non-GMO. It’s naturally gluten-free.

    *This post contains affiliate links. If the product is purchased by linking through this review, VegKitchen receives a modest commission, which helps maintain our site and helps it to continue growing!

    More recipes you may enjoy

    • Tasty Vegan Pumpkin Recipes
    • 6 Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar
    • 6 Basic Guidelines for the Nutritarian Diet
    • 7 Major Health Benefits of Maca Root

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mary says

      December 30, 2016 at 10:39 am

      Sounds very interesting going to try thank you very much

    2. Mary says

      December 30, 2016 at 10:41 am

      I have thyroids so I am going to try it

    3. Mary says

      December 30, 2016 at 10:43 am

      Okay I bought some and I'm going to try it

    4. Cindy says

      June 03, 2017 at 3:20 pm

      I'm seeing it sold in capsule form. What is the best way to take Maca?

    5. Nava says

      June 04, 2017 at 9:32 am

      Cindy, the best way to take maca is in the powder form. Who knows, and how much you'd be getting in a capsule. It's easiest to blend a teaspoon or two of the maca powder into smoothies.

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    nicole malik from vegkithen.com

    Hi, I'm Nicole! I'm the creator behind VegKitchen, and the author of the popular cookbook, Weeknight One Pot Vegan Cooking. Learn more about me here.

    More about me →

    vegan substitution chart

    Featured Recipes

    • Chipotle Black Bean Burgers (Vegan)
    • Vegan Walnut Taco Meat
    • Fudgy Avocado Brownies (Vegan!)
    • 25+ Vegan Valentine’s Day Desserts
    • 11 Best Vegan “Cheese” Recipes
    • Vegan Christmas Cookies

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    • Shop Cookbooks
    • Free Vegan Cheat Sheet
    • About Us
    • Work with Me
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use

    Still hungry? Check out our delicious family of blogs.


    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 Hook & Porter Media