Get Even More Visitors To Your Blog, Upgrade To A Business Listing >>

What is Maca Coffee? Its Health Benefits, Side Effects & More

Maca Coffee is a distinct beverage that mixes the rich taste of coffee alongside the healthy attributes of Maca—a type of legume indigenous to Peru’s Andes highlands. 

Because of its potential health advantages, Maca has been used for various purposes in the past centuries. And combining the benefits Maca holds with the wonders of coffee makes it even more delightful and convenient to consume.

In this article, we will explore the essential details about Maca coffee, its benefits, any potential side effects it might cause, and its effectiveness based on the scientific evidence we gathered.

Table of Contents

What is Maca Coffee?

Maca coffee is a blend of roasted coffee beans and powdered maca root. Maca, scientifically known as Lepidium meyenii, belongs to the cabbage or Brassicaceae family and has a long history of traditional use in Peruvian culture. [1]

To make Maca coffee, dried Maca root is ground into a fine powder, which is then added to coffee during the brewing process. This results in a unique caffeinated beverage with the combined taste and aroma of coffee and the various health benefits of Maca. [2]

What are Maca Coffee’s Benefits?

Source: Canva

Maca coffee is thought to have several potential health advantages, although a further study on its effectiveness is still required to fully understand its nature and how well it really works. Some of Maca coffee’s reported benefits include:

Helps boost energy and stamina

The most common benefit that Maca coffee is known for is how it helps increase energy levels and reduce fatigue. Maca is believed to provide a natural energy boost, making it a popular choice for those seeking an alternative to conventional coffee grinds. [3][4]

Helps regulate hormones

Another well-known benefit of Maca coffee is its ability to help stabilize the hormones in our bodies. It aids in regulating hormone levels and relieves symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances, such as mood swings, hot flashes, and menstrual abnormalities in women. [5]

Aids in gaining mental clarity

Maca is believed to have cognitive-enhancing properties, including improved memory, focus, and mental clarity. It may help support brain health and overall cognitive function. [6]

Enhances sexual health and libido

Because the Maca root has long been used as an aphrodisiac and is typically connected with increased libido and sexual function, it is a well-sought ingredient for those with difficulty during sex. Studies suggest using Maca may help boost sexual desire, arousal, and general sexual well-being. [7]

Acts as an antioxidant and contains a lot of nutrients

Last but not least, Maca is rich in antioxidants. It helps protect the body against oxidative stress and cellular damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, maca contains various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, copper, iron, and potassium, contributing to overall well-being. [8]

Does Maca Coffee Have Any Side Effects?

Source: Canva

When taken in moderation, Maca is usually regarded as safe for consumption. However, in rare cases, some people may develop minor side effects like stomach issues, increased heart rate, or abnormalities in blood pressure. [9]

Before you proceed in adding Maca coffee or any new product into your regimen, make it a habit to talk with a healthcare expert, especially if you have pre-existing health concerns and are already prescribed medications.

What is Maca Coffee Good For?

Maca coffee may help people who are looking to improve their general well-being, increase their energy levels, and promote hormonal balance. It may also be perfect for people looking for a healthier alternative to standard coffee, as Maca coffee has a distinct flavor profile and possible health advantages. [10]

Does Maca Coffee Have Specific Benefits for Men?

Maca is frequently praised for its ability to improve sexual health and reproduction in men. According to research, Maca may help increase sperm quality, boost libido, and minimize erectile dysfunction symptoms. [11]

However, more rigorous research is needed to confirm these claims and determine the optimal dosage and duration of Maca supplementation.

Does Maca Coffee Really Help Increase Size in Men?

Source: Pexels

As of writing this article, there is still no strong scientific evidence to support the claim that Maca coffee may make body parts bigger in human men. While Maca is frequently connected with increased sexual function and fertility, claims of size enlargement from trustworthy medical sources remain scarce. [12]

Even with the satisfactory claims surrounding Maca, it is still critical to treat such statements cautiously and rely on scientifically established data.

Does Maca Coffee Really Work?

Source: Canva

The effectiveness of Maca coffee in providing specific health benefits varies among individuals. Although there are already some promising studies on Maca itself, there isn’t much data to back up Maca coffee’s health advantages. More research is still required to fully understand its mechanisms and effectiveness. [2][13]

Furthermore, individual reactions to Maca coffee may vary, as with any dietary supplement. And it is critical that you manage your expectations while maintaining careful attention to your general health and well-being.

Can You Drink Maca Coffee Every Day?

When taken in moderation, drinking Maca coffee daily can be harmless for most people. However, it is crucial to pay attention to your body’s response and consider particular characteristics such as pre-existing health disorders and allergies—if there are any.

As always, consulting with healthcare specialists will provide you with everything you need to know about Maca coffee intake and its appropriateness in your situation.

Bottomline

Maca coffee offers an intriguing fusion of coffee’s rich taste and Maca’s potential health benefits. Although there may be some correlation between this amazing ingredient to increased energy levels, sexual performance, hormonal balance, and overall well-being, it is important to note that scientific proof of these connections is still being developed.

FAQs

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult with their healthcare provider before consuming Maca coffee. While Maca is generally thought of as safe, it is crucial to confirm that it is appropriate to your personal circumstances since hormonal changes during pregnancy and nursing might impact the body’s response to certain medicines.
Certain medications, especially those linked to hormone management or blood pressure, may interact with the efficacy of Maca coffee. To avoid any interactions or unwanted effects from occurring when you’re planning to consume it alongside any prescription drugs, make sure to ask for advice from a healthcare expert or pharmacist first.
As of writing, there is still no standardized dosage recommendation for Maca coffee. The recommended dosage could vary depending on the person’s age, health status, and sensitivity to certain medications, among other things.

Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.

Editorial References And Fact-Checking

  1. Wang, S., & Zhu, F. (2019). Chemical composition and health effects of maca (Lepidium meyenii). Food chemistry, 288, 422-443.
  2. Peres, N. D. S. L., Bortoluzzi, L. C. P., Marques, L. L. M., Formigoni, M., Fuchs, R. H. B., Droval, A. A., & Cardoso, F. A. R. (2020). Medicinal effects of Peruvian maca (Lepidium meyenii): A review. Food & function, 11(1), 83-92.
  3. Gonzales-Arimborgo C, Yupanqui I, Montero E, Alarcón-Yaquetto DE, Zevallos-Concha A, Caballero L, Gasco M, Zhao J, Khan IA, Gonzales GF. Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2016 Aug 18;9(3):49. doi: 10.3390/ph9030049. PMID: 27548190; PMCID: PMC5039502.
  4. Zhu H , Xu W , Wang N , Jiang W , Cheng Y , Guo Y , Yao W , Hu B , Du P , Qian H . Anti-fatigue effect of Lepidium meyenii Walp. (Maca) on preventing mitochondria-mediated muscle damage and oxidative stress in vivo and vitro. Food Funct. 2021 Apr 7;12(7):3132-3141. doi: 10.1039/d1fo00383f. Epub 2021 Mar 17. PMID: 33729250.
  5. Stojanovska L, Law C, Lai B, Chung T, Nelson K, Day S, Apostolopoulos V, Haines C. Maca reduces blood pressure and depression, in a pilot study in postmenopausal women. Climacteric. 2015 Feb;18(1):69-78. doi: 10.3109/13697137.2014.929649. Epub 2014 Aug 7. PMID: 24931003.
  6. Guo SS, Gao XF, Gu YR, Wan ZX, Lu AM, Qin ZH, Luo L. Preservation of Cognitive Function by Lepidium meyenii (Maca) Is Associated with Improvement of Mitochondrial Activity and Upregulation of Autophagy-Related Proteins in Middle-Aged Mouse Cortex. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:4394261. doi: 10.1155/2016/4394261. Epub 2016 Aug 28. PMID: 27648102; PMCID: PMC5018343.
  7. Gonzales, G. F., Cordova, A., Vega, K., Chung, A., Villena, A., Góñez, C., & Castillo, S. (2002). Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. andrologia, 34(6), 367-372.
  8. Korkmaz, S. (2018). Antioxidants in maca (Lepidium meyenii) as a supplement in nutrition. Antioxidants in Foods and its Applications, 138-154.
  9. Fu, L., Wei, J., Gao, Y., & Chen, R. (2021). Antioxidant and antitumoral activities of isolated macamide and macaene fractions from Lepidium meyenii (Maca). Talanta, 221, 121635.
  10. Beharry, S., & Heinrich, M. (2018). Is the hype around the reproductive health claims of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) justified?. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 211, 126-170.
  11. Gonzales, G. F., Cordova, A., Gonzales, C., Chung, A., Vega, K., & Villena, A. (2001). Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improved semen parameters in adult men. Asian journal of andrology, 3(4), 301-304.
  12. Gonzales, G. F., Miranda, S., Nieto, J., Fernández, G., Yucra, S., Rubio, J., … & Gasco, M. (2005). Red maca (Lepidium meyenii) reduced prostate size in rats. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology, 3, 1-16.
  13. Setyawan, E. I., Antari, N. P. A., Putra, I. G. A. D., Swastini, D. A., Hamzah, H., & Indrati, O. (2023). Optimization Formula of Coffee-Maca Granules as an Aphrodisiac Functional drink using D-Optimal mixture Design and PCA-CA. Research Journal of Pharmacy and Technology, 16(3), 1463-1470.

The post What is Maca Coffee? Its Health Benefits, Side Effects & More appeared first on HealthPlugged.



This post first appeared on HealthPlugged, please read the originial post: here

Share the post

What is Maca Coffee? Its Health Benefits, Side Effects & More

×

Subscribe to Healthplugged

Get updates delivered right to your inbox!

Thank you for your subscription

×