Want more endurance, stamina and vitality? Want enhanced immune system function? Want improvement in your sexual energy and reproductive system? Then perhaps you want to add Maca Root to your life!
Maca, one of the top superfoods, is rapidly gaining popularity due to its terrific health benefits! Maca is a member of the cruciferous family, which includes: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, turnips, and radishes. This plant however, is hardier than other members of the cruciferous family and is found in the higher elevation of the Andes Mountains in South America at approximately 7,000 to 11,000 ft. above sea level. Most of the Andes Mountains are barren and are subject to extreme conditions. Maca is capable of withstanding those conditions and is considered a superfood because of its ability to grow in a harsh climate while extracting potent nutrient from the Earth, Water and Sun. It provides excellent sources of protein, minerals and vitamins.
The Maca root provides many essential nutrients necessary for our bodily functions. Maca is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, and iron, and contains trace minerals including zinc, iodine, copper, selenium, bismuth, manganese, tin, and silicon. It is also a great source of protein and fiber, more so than other root vegetable in the Andes Mountains!
On top of all those other great features, Maca Root is also an “adaptogen” which is defined as a plant that promotes non-specific benefits to an organism while inducing no negative side effects.
Here are some key points to remember about adaptogens:
- An adaptogen is a substance, which raises the non-specific resistance to illness in an organism, have a normalizing influence on our physiology
- Adaptogens enable the body to enhance its power to adapt to external conditions
- Adaptogens work with the body’s natural rhythms to help rebuild weak immune systems, re-mineralize poorly nourished bodies, and increase energy and endurance
Maca is known to improve blood oxygen content and the endocrine system. The root provides more energy when needed, increases libido, improves premenstrual symptoms in women, enhances fertility in both men and women, and balances the hormones of both men and women. Fun fact: Maca root was used in Peru by native tribes for warriors returning from battle and for women after giving birth. It truly is a powerful root for rebuilding the body after intense exertion and depletion!
Maca is great for us and these benefits should be enjoyed. However, like with everything you consumer or use, you should practice moderation and monitoring with Maca until your body is used to the Maca root! At Sarvaa Superfood, we use a small to medium amount of Maca root powder in each of our products so your body has the opportunity to benefit from Maca root while not getting overwhelmed by all those benefits! We want you to live healthy, happy, and love the foods you eat!
http://www.macaroot.com/benefits/index.html
http://www.realrawfood.com/maca-history-info
Wolfe, David. Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future. Berkeley: North Altantic Books, 2009. Print.