The Magic of Maca

Maca is one of those healthy ingredients that we are starting to see on grocery store shelves, at smoothie bars and health food cafes. Maca is an ultimate super food, with anti-cancer properties and a high ORAC count, this is something you can incorporate almost every day.

There is evidence of maca being cultivated as far back as 2600 years ago in South America. The incans used it as one of their currencies, tributes and the warriors were said to consume maca before battle for strength and stamina. Ancient peoples have been utilizing macas healing and therapeutic qualities way before it became the new “it” superfood. Maca continues to grow at an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level, making it the highest growing crop on earth. It takes 7 to 9 months to fully mature and be cultivated. Maca is grown in an extremely harsh environment, high in the Andes with intense winds, constant sunlight and a daily temperature fluctuation of about 50 degrees. Any plant able to thrive in such stressful conditions is called an adaptogen. An adaptogen is a nutritive substance that counters adverse chemical, physical or biological sources of stress by raising none specific resistance, allowing the organism to “adapt” to stressful situations. Adaptogens are extremely beneficial for the human body and some of the benefits are; boosting the immunity, balancing hormones, increased cognitive function and its chock full of antioxidants.

​Other than being an adaptogen, maca has some other interesting health boosting qualities. Maca nourishes on a cellular level; it provides macro and micronutrients, including 31 different minerals. Maca also alters the endocrinesystem to help improve the thyroid. It helps bring back a natural homeostasis in the body. Maca increases fertility in animals and humans and can also be used as an aphrodisiac. It normalizes steroid hormones like testosterone, progesterone and estrogen. So, it’s an all-around systems stabilizer.

In conclusion, maca is not to be reckoned with. Whether you need your immunity boosted or your mood elevated, maca can help. Maca is the malty mineral you can throw in your drinks, shots or superfood snacks. So, go ahead and grab a Cosmic Trigger at Daily Juice and enjoy!

References:

• Superfoods – David Wolfe, IIN
• www.Draxe.com
• www.naturalhealth.com

Chrissy Gentzel is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach in training. She has a passion for yoga, a love for cooking and enjoys being out in nature on her free time. She was originally influenced by her mother throughout her childhood and has since started to pass those traits and characteristics to her daughter.  Sharing these ideals with her family and her friends, she promotes and believes in the power of healing through nutrition.