I took maca powder for three months – here’s why you should too

Our wellbeing editor put this adaptogenic powder to the test for three months and tracked the results, here’s what she learned.

Emilie Lavinia
Fitness and wellbeing editor
Friday 23 August 2024 16:43 BST
I took maca supplements for three months
I took maca supplements for three months (Independent)

Maca is a plant native to central Peru, it’s a vegetable from the cruciferous family and it’s been used for thousands of years as a food supplement and medication. Today, it’s considered to be an adaptogenic superfood and you’ll find it in any health food shop. Maca root, usually found in powder form, boasts a slew of health benefits, so it’s been a staple in my wellbeing routine for many years. Usually I’ll add a teaspoon of it to smoothies or herbal tea.

However, my quest to find the best version of every supplement is ongoing so I was keen to see how a new brand measured up to others I’d tried over the years. I decided to trial a new 500mg capsule of Maca to see if taking it like a vitamin in a fixed dose would help me get more into my diet. I usually don’t take maca very consistently, so I was keen to see if swallowing a daily supplement would have a positive impact.

Maca root powder contains vitamins, minerals, fibre, macamides, macaridine, alkaloids and glucosinolates, so a long list of components that can support better health. The benefits of ingesting the powder include increased energy, improved memory, stamina and focus. It’s also recommended for people going through menopause because of its ability to lessen hot flushes and improve sleep and sex drive, so there are plenty of advantages to taking it regularly.

How we tested maca supplements

I took these supplements for three months, at the same time every morning, with food and water. While I was taking them, I tracked how I was feeling – my energy levels, my focus and my mood. I also tracked my sleep time and quality and how tired I felt after exercise and my hormonal symptoms and recorded the results. I took one capsule every day for 13 weeks and compared everything I’d recorded over the three-month period.

Myvitamins maca supplements

Maca boasts so many benefits for brain and body
  • Amount: 30 or 90 capsules
  • Dosage: 500mg maca extract per serving
  • Vegan: Yes
  • Why we love it
    • Great way of avoiding maca flavour
    • Ideal for regulating how much you take
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The verdict: Myvitamins maca supplements

After three months of taking maca capsules in a controlled dose, rather than taking the root powder sporadically in different doses, I felt more energised and more positive. My focus improved slightly, but I didn’t notice any changes in how well I rested at night. The capsules are great if you want to track how much of this adaptogen you’re taking and if you need a hand remembering to take it. The effects may vary from person to person, but I definitely experienced the positives after taking it for three months consistently.

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