Historically known for its reputation in increasing fertility and sexual desire, modern research suggests that this root has other potent health benefits.
This review will discuss research on nutrition, phytochemicals, and the various colors of maca, including black, red, yellow (predominant colors), purple, gray (lesser known colors), and any combination of colors, including proprietary formulations. discussed based on available clinical and preclinical trials. As a result of these properties, combined preclinical (animal) and clinical studies, maca has become known for its therapeutic effect on countless conditions, including fertility and reproductive health in men and women, prostate health, sexual performance and sexual desire, cognitive decline and memory loss, menopause, low chronic mountain sickness scores, skin health, anemia, cancer, vitality, gastrointestinal motility, and osteoporosis (Table 1). Although not confirmed, it has been suggested that the effects on mood and cognition may be due to the possibility of maca metabolites crossing the blood-brain barrier. While it is an interesting hypothesis, much of whether maca compounds can cross this highly selective barrier may depend on specific maca fractions used.
This review will discuss research on nutrition, phytochemicals, and the various colors of maca, including black, red, yellow (predominant colors), purple, gray (lesser known colors), and any combination of colors, including proprietary formulations. discussed based on available clinical and preclinical trials. As a result of these properties, combined preclinical (animal) and clinical studies, maca has become known for its therapeutic effect on countless conditions, including fertility and reproductive health in men and women, prostate health, sexual performance and sexual desire, cognitive decline and memory loss, menopause, low chronic mountain sickness scores, skin health, anemia, cancer, vitality, gastrointestinal motility, and osteoporosis (Table 1). Although not confirmed, it has been suggested that the effects on mood and cognition may be due to the possibility of maca metabolites crossing the blood-brain barrier. While it is an interesting hypothesis, much of whether maca compounds can cross this highly selective barrier may depend on specific maca fractions used.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/4/530 (2024).---