Maca

Studies in people

• Open question

  Sexual health in women²

  In studies of women only, maca's effects on sexual health were mixed.

• Benefit

  Inflammation and fitness in athletes³

  In athletes, taking black maca for eight weeks was linked to lower inflammation and better physical fitness.

• Benefit

  Sexual desire and stamina⁴

  In a small study, male cyclists taking maca for 14 days reported more sexual desire and rode faster.

• Benefit

  Health at high altitude⁶

  People living at high altitude who ate maca reported better health and lower inflammation markers than those who did not.

Animal and lab studies only

• Benefit

  Liver damage from mould toxins¹⁰

  In mice, maca polysaccharides lessened liver damage from aflatoxin B1.

• Open question

  Blood flow and allergies¹¹

  Different parts of maca showed effects on blood vessel cells, clotting, swelling and allergic reactions.

• Concern

  Breast cancer spread¹²

  In lab studies, maca made breast cancer cells move more, but scientists do not yet know if this happens in people.

Study type not stated

• Benefit

  Overall health effects⁷

  People have eaten maca for centuries, and studies suggest it may help with fertility, energy and blood sugar.

• Open question

  Health effects in people⁸

  Maca is claimed to help many things, but studies in people to back these claims are lacking.

• Open question

  Fertility and libido claims⁹

  Studies on maca for fertility and libido have given mixed results, so scientists do not yet know whether it works.

Found in some samples or products

These come from where it was grown, how it was processed or cooked, or what it was made into. They are not about the ingredient itself, so the signal does not count them.

• Lead in a supplement⁵

  A woman's blood lead rose after she took maca root powder, and fell when she stopped.

The signal at the top counts the findings in people and in animal and lab studies. A concern in studies of people outranks animal and lab studies, and “No concerns” needs at least one finding in people. When most findings in people point one way, the page leans that way (“Mostly”), and every finding is still shown. Findings whose study type is not stated are shown but not counted. This page is a reference, not medical advice. It describes what regulators and published research say. Talk to a doctor or dietitian about your own diet.