Springtime in Queenstown, perfect excuse to go to the local market searching for the superfood.
My favourite season as the days get warmer, birds sing in the morning, the days get longer but not too long, still cold mornings and cold nights but still nice weather without wearing lots of layers of clothes.
Good excuse to have a glass of wine to enjoy the views from the apartment where I live. The sunrise and sunset bring lots of colours to the window and the smell of the fresh air is just incomparable.
One of the activities I like the most is going to the local market on Saturday morning. The market is open again after the long winter. Last Saturday it was the first weekend on and I was so excited to see what the local farmers were bringing to the community. While walking around the stalls I get to meet a lovely girl from my neighbour country Peru and she was selling one the popular superfood the MACA ROOT.
I stopped by and spoke to her. Is so good when you can speak the same language. She showed me her product and she told me the process she has to go through to bring the ORGANIC MACA directly from Peru to NZ. The super Organic Maca Powder.
WHAT IS MACCA AND WHY IS CONSIDERED SUPERFOOD?
The maca is a plant, specifically, a root, known scientifically as Lepidium meyenii, is sometimes referred to as Peruvian ginseng.
It mainly grows in the Andes of central Peru, in harsh conditions and at very high altitudes — above 13,000 feet (4,000 meters).
Maca is a cruciferous vegetable and therefore related to broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and kale. It has a long history of culinary and medicinal use in Peru.
The main edible part of the plant is the root, which grows underground. It exists in several colours, ranging from white to black.
Maca root is generally dried and consumed in powder form, but it’s also available in capsules and as a liquid extract.
The taste of maca root powder, which some people dislike, has been described as earthy and nutty. Many people add it to their smoothies, oatmeal and sweet treats.
Benefits of the Macca
1.Maca is very nutritious as it has different vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin C 133% of RDI
Copper 85% of RDI
Iron 23% of RDI
2.Maca root is a good source of carbs and protein, is low in fat and contains a fair amount of fibre.
3.It increases the libido in men and woman.
A review from 2010 that included four randomized clinical studies with a total of 131 participants found evidence that maca improves sexual desire after at least six weeks of ingestion.
4. Increases fertility in men.
When it comes to male fertility, sperm quality and quantity is very important.
There is some evidence that maca root increases men’s fertility.
5.It May Help Relieve Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause is defined as the time in a woman’s life when her menstrual periods stop permanently.
The natural decline in estrogen that occurs during this time can cause a range of unpleasant symptoms.
These include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, sleep problems and irritability.
6.Improve your mood by reducing anxiety and symptoms of depression, specifically in the menopausal woman.
7.Boost performance and energy levels
Maca root powder is a popular supplement among bodybuilders and athletes.
It has been claimed to help you gain muscle, increase strength, boost energy and improve exercise performance.
8. Maca is a natural SunBlock, when Applied to the Skin, Maca May Help Protect It from the Sun.
Over time, UV radiation can cause wrinkles and increase your risk of skin cancer.
There is some evidence that applying maca extract, a concentrated form of the plant, to your skin may help protect it from UV radiation.
The protective effect was attributed to the polyphenol antioxidants and glucosinolates found in maca.
Keep in mind that maca extract cannot replace a conventional sunscreen. Also, it only protects the skin when applied to the skin, not when eaten.
9. Improve memory and brain function
The black maca has shown that improves memory, learning and brain function. It has traditionally been used by natives in Peru to improve children’s performance in school
10.It may reduce prostate size
The prostate is a gland only found in men.
Enlargement of the prostate gland, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is common in ageing men.
A larger prostate can cause various problems with passing urine, as it surrounds the tube through which urine is removed from the body
It has been proposed that the effect of red maca on the prostate is linked to its high amount of glucosinolates. These substances are also associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.
How to use Maca?
The most common way to use the maca is in smoothies, protein shakes, as well as baking products, energy bars.
You can find maca at the local market, health shops, supermarkets and online retailers.
There are lots of reason why maca is a superfood . There is no doubt that maca has superpowers so why not adding this to your diet. If you have teenagers, or If you have sporty kids , make a smoothie with maca in it. The kids will appreciate this forever.
andreap 