Benefits of Maca Root

Evidence-Based Benefits

• Libido enhancement — Gonzales et al. (2002, n=57) conducted a 12-week RCT showing maca (1.5-3g/day) significantly increased sexual desire by week 8 independent of testosterone or estradiol levels
• Male fertility — Gonzales et al. (2001) found that 1.75g/day maca for 4 months increased sperm count by 20% and motility by 14% in healthy men
• Menopausal symptom relief — Brooks et al. (2008, n=14) showed 3.5g/day maca reduced anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction scores in postmenopausal women
• Mood and energy — Stojanovska et al. (2015, n=29) found maca reduced depression and blood pressure in postmenopausal women over 6 weeks
• Exercise performance — Stone et al. (2009) showed maca extract improved cycling time trial performance in trained male cyclists

What the Research Says

Maca has a moderate evidence base, primarily from research by Gonzales and colleagues at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. The most robust finding is for libido enhancement — Shin et al. (2010) conducted a systematic review of 4 RCTs and found sufficient evidence for sexual desire improvement. For fertility, the evidence is promising but limited to small studies. A 2016 BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine review concluded maca has potential for menopausal symptoms but called for larger, more rigorous trials. Notably, maca does not appear to alter testosterone, estrogen, or other hormone levels directly, suggesting its effects may be mediated through other mechanisms (possibly macamides acting on the endocannabinoid system).

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