The Best Maca On The Market: Lab-Tested Raw Maca Review

Best Maca At A Glance

Maca has been praised by the health community for its role in boosting energy and stamina, which is probably one of the reasons you’re interested in trying it or at least learning more about it. Not only has maca been used to improve athletic performance, but many people swear by its benefits towards fertility and sexual health as well.

So, does it actually work for these intended health benefits, or is it just a placebo effect? Considering that it’s been used for over 1,500 years by Peruvian cultures and has been backed by research, it’s fair to say that there’s promising evidence for its results.

Here, I’m going to uncover everything you need to know about maca to help you make an informed decision on whether or not you should consider using it. I’ll also review the best maca supplements available today in case you’ve decided to jump right in and answer commonly asked questions about maca such as “what’s the best time to take maca root?”, “What’s the best raw organic maca powder?”, and “What’s the best maca supplement?”.

Editor’s note: This maca powder review is different from most other reviews in two ways. First, this review covers only raw maca, as opposed to maca that’s processed and cooked. Second, because of the potential of raw supplements to contain harmful fungus byproducts such as aflatoxin, we partnered with a national food testing laboratory to test each brand of raw maca reviewed here, using their industry-standard aflatoxin testing platform. We ordered the samples we tested from Amazon, just like a consumer would.

What is Maca?

Maca is a plant native to the Andes mountains in Peru. It’s a cruciferous vegetable related to cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and kale. It’s well-documented in natural medicines and various cultural dishes from Peru. 

Normally, maca is dried and eaten in powder form. But it’s also taken in maca capsules or as a liquid extract—if you’d like a comprehensive look at maca supplements, check out our maca supplements review. Maca is categorized as an adaptogen.

What To Do With Maca Powder – The Main Health Benefits Of Maca

The scientific literature about maca is limited. For now, most of the research on maca comes from small studies, often conducted on animals. However, there are a few verifiable claims that make maca a promising natural health supplement. 

Maca’s high nutrition content 

Research shows that just one ounce of maca root powder contains four grams of protein, two grams of fiber, 20 grams of carbs, and many essential vitamins including: 

• 133% Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of Vitamin C
• 85% RDI of Copper
• 23% RDI of Iron
• 16% RDI of Potassium 
• 15% RDI of Vitamin B6
• 10% RDI of Manganese

Maca And Sexual Health 

If you’re struggling with reduced sexual desire, maca might be able to help. A 2010 study found that when taken regularly, maca powder can naturally boost libido. Respondents noted that after six weeks of consuming maca, their sexual desire increased. Additionally, this study shows it improved sexual experience for men with sexual dysfunction, and has notable use for mild erectile dysfunction.

Maca And Fertility

In a study that concentrated on male fertility after consistent use for four months, researchers noted that the sperm quality had improved in terms of volume, sperm count, and motility. 

Other Maca Benefits

Studies suggest maca may:

• Relieve menopause symptoms like hot flashes and interrupted sleep
• Help boost mood by reducing anxiety and depression symptoms 
• Improve energy and sports performance
• Act as a natural sunscreen
• Improve brain function
• Reduce prostate size in older men

What’s The Best Time To Take Maca Root? And What’s The Maca Recommended Daily Dosage?

Though the expert community has not come to consensus on the optimal maca dose, people generally take between 1.5 to 5 grams per day.

What time of day should you take maca? Natives of the high Andes of Peru consume maca pretty much all day. Though maca doesn’t contain caffeine or any other stimulant, it can boost your energy levels or performance. That’s why it’s generally recommended that you take maca with breakfast. You can also take it at midday to stave off your post-lunch crash.

Aflatoxin Testing For Raw Maca

Maca generally comes in two forms: gelatinized and raw. Gelatinized maca has been cooked to remove the starch. This sanitizes the powder, but can also alter nutrients like vitamin C. Raw maca root is traditionally harvested in the summer months and sun-dried for 30 days before it is cleaned and ground to powder. This preserves the full nutrient profile, but is not without its drawbacks.

The biggest concern with raw maca is the presence of aflatoxin. Aflatoxins are a type of mycotoxin – toxins produced as a byproduct of the metabolism of various types of fungus. (What we think of as “mold”, like we might see on old bread or berries from the grocery store, is a sub-group of fungi.) The molds that produce aflatoxin commonly grow in poorly-kept agricultural products, like corn or nuts. Aflatoxins are carcinogenic (cancer-causing). For this reason, the U.S. FDA imposes limits of 20 ppb (parts per billion) of detectable aflatoxin in food products.

Because maca root is produced by rural farmers in the mountains of Peru, is sun-dried, and is then shipped and stored, some have expressed concern that raw maca powder may contain aflatoxin. This is a valid concern for any supplement product, as supplements receive lower regulatory scrutiny from the FDA.

However, studies show the full nutrient profile of raw maca can be eminently valuable. Therefore, The Unwinder partnered with a national food-testing laboratory to test each brand of raw maca reviewed here, using their industry-standard aflatoxin testing platform. We ordered the samples we tested from Amazon, just like a consumer would. Every brand included here had an aflatoxin level below 10ppb—less than half the FDA food limit.

Our Reviews Of The Best Organic Maca Powder And Where To Buy Maca Powder

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