Maca root, which is native to the high-altitude Andes mountains in Peru, has been utilized for its therapeutic qualities for millennia.
Peruvian communities, who have consumed it for hundreds of years, suggest that maca root provides positive impacts on general wellness and sexual function, such as boosting energy and metabolism, supporting brain and cardiac health, easing menopausal issues in women, enhancing libido, and minimizing sexual impairment.
Due to these purported advantages for health and therapeutic attributes, maca has gained increased recognition within complementary and alternative medical practices recently.
Whether you are already aware of maca root’s advantages for males (or are discovering them presently), you might question if it genuinely offers favorable results for sexual wellness. Below is the essential information.
Defining Maca
Academically, maca is identified as Lepidium meyenii or Lepidium meyenii Walp. It is also frequently referred to as Peruvian maca or Peruvian ginseng.
While maca exists in various shades, yellow, red, and black are encountered most often. A significant number of individuals favor yellow maca roots because of their pleasant taste and broad spectrum of wellness advantages. Furthermore, certain studies indicate that maca’s potential health effects might differ depending on its hue.
The root of maca is typically processed into powder or transformed into gelatinized root powder. These forms lend an earthy taste when incorporated into food, and some consumers mix maca powder into their coffee or smoothies seeking increased vitality. Maca extract is also frequently marketed as an herbal supplement in the form of capsules or tablets.
However, what are maca’s effects on men, and what is the actual evidence supporting maca root’s advantages? We will clarify if there are sexual benefits of maca root for males, address widespread misconceptions regarding maca powder and extract, and review possible side effects.
Advantages of Maca Root for Males
Maca root contains an abundance of various nutrients, including fiber, vital amino acids, fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants such as vitamin C, and numerous other biologically active components thought to contribute to its therapeutic attributes.
The question remains: are maca extracts or powdered maca root capable of boosting libido? Is it possible that maca root’s actions could alleviate sexual impairments such as ED (erectile dysfunction) or premature ejaculation?
Continue reading for details concerning the health advantages of maca root specifically for men.
Enhances Sexual Desire
Is the widespread notion of maca being an aphrodisiac accurate? Certain data points to enhanced libido as a possible advantage of maca for male consumers.
In a systematic review published in 2010 examining how L. meyenii affects sexual performance, findings from four rigorous studies involving 131 individuals indicated that maca root boosted sexual appetite after a minimum duration of six weeks.
Nevertheless, the studies analyzed within the review were limited in size, leading researchers to state that the existing evidence was insufficient for forming definitive judgments.
Therefore, despite the encouraging nature of the research, it remains uncertain whether the benefits of maca root on libido are conclusive.
Alleviates Sexual Impairment
Maca root has the potential to enhance sexual performance; notably, maca’s influence might assist individuals dealing with erectile dysfunction, which represents one of themost prevalent forms of sexual impairment.
The previously mentioned review also examined findings from a single randomized controlled trial, concluding that maca exhibited greater efficacy than a placebo among subjects suffering from mild erectile dysfunction.
Nevertheless, this particular study lacked sufficient size to establish a definitive conclusion regarding maca’s efficacy in treating erectile dysfunction or other forms of sexual impairment.
Improves Fertility
Certain research indicates that consuming maca for reproductive purposes might be advantageous and could boost male sexual health, specifically by enhancing sperm concentration and quality.
A preliminary investigation involving 20 men demonstrated that participants who used maca extract supplements showed improvements in sperm motility and count after three months. Nonetheless, the sample size of this study was very limited.
A separate minor placebo-controlled preliminary trial included 69 men suffering from either low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or both conditions. Relative to the placebo group, daily supplementation with 2 grams of maca substantially raised sperm count after 12 weeks. Yet, no changes were observed in sperm shape, motility, or semen volume.
In the same vein, a systematic review conducted in 2023, which analyzed five studies on how Lepidium meyenii impacts sperm motility and sperm cell concentration, yielded inconsistent findings regarding maca’s utility for infertile men. Further investigation is necessary to confirm the validity of maca root as a fertility aid.
Positive Effects on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia describes the condition where the prostate—a vital, walnut-sized gland for reproductive health—becomes swollen. BPH has the capacity to impact sexual performance, possibly resulting in erectile dysfunction, diminished sexual gratification, and decreased libido.
Research conducted on animals implies that extracts derived from maca root could contribute to reducing the size of the prostate. Nonetheless, further investigation is required to ascertain maca root’s influence on BPH in human populations.
Increases Vitality
A key advantage frequently associated with maca powder is its ability to enhance energy levels.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study from 2016 involving 175 participants, consuming 3 grams of black or red maca every day for 12 weeks resulted in higher energy levels compared to the placebo group.
A parallel investigation into maca’s effects on mice revealed comparable outcomes, showing that maca extracts specifically enhanced metabolic function.
Aminor study from 2023 observed 44 male professional athletes who consumed 2.5 grams of 100 percent concentrated black maca extract twice daily for eight weeks. The findings suggested that black maca contributed to better aerobic metabolism among these athletes.
Although this body of research appears favorable, more extensive trials are necessary to confirm whether maca extracts or powdered maca root genuinely boost energy levels.
Misconceptions Regarding Maca Root Advantages
Are there additional authentic sexual advantages of maca root for men? Are maca extracts capable of enhancing testicular performance and elevating circulating testosterone levels? Regarding penile rigidity, does maca truly result in size increase?
Despite assertions that maca extract or powdered maca root can enhance sexual capabilities—with the internet frequently suggesting methods to utilize maca for testosterone elevation, for instance—scientific backing for these claims remains scarce.
Adverse Reactions to Maca Root
Research indicates that consuming maca is typically safe and does not result in harmful side effects.
Astudy involving 175 participants demonstrated that a daily 3-gram intake of red or black maca over a three-month period was tolerated effectively and did not produce any severe adverse reactions.
While adverse effects from maca root are infrequent, a small number of individuals report minor gastrointestinal problems or headaches.
An editorial piece from 2024 expressed worries that the stimulating nature of maca might negatively influence mood and sleep patterns. Nonetheless, these issues require additional research for confirmation.
Maca Root for Males: Does It Deliver Value?
For hundreds of years, maca root has been utilized due to its perceived capacity to treat various health ailments.
Among the alleged benefits for men, maca root is claimed to reduce sexual impairment and enhance male reproductive capacity, concurrently offering potential prostate size reduction and energy enhancement.
While limited-scale studies suggest encouraging impacts on men’s sexual function, the outcomes are inconsistent, necessitating further research, particularly clinical trials, to fully comprehend maca’s effects.
This sentiment was reinforced by apublication in 2018, which stressed that numerous health assertions concerning maca lack complete scientific validation currently, demanding additional research. The authors further pointed out that sufficient data is unavailable to establish the optimal dosage, frequency, or duration of maca use necessary to yield benefits.
At present, the most scientifically validated and efficient therapies for sexual dysfunction include medications for erectile dysfunction and treatments for premature ejaculation. Standard ED interventions are oral drugs, such as Viagra® (sildenafil), Levitra® (vardenafil), Stendra® (avanafil), and Cialis® (tadalafil).
Should you have concerns regarding reproductive health, fertility, or your testosterone concentration, consider researching methods for naturally raising testosterone or exploring dietary items that elevate testosterone levels.
Alternatively, schedule a consultation with a medical professional to investigate the root cause of diminished sex drive or testosterone and determine the most appropriate course of treatment.
