Black Maca

Beyond just the color of their skin, what sets black maca roots apart? Over the past 15 years research has revealed several distinguishing features. All of the research we’ve compiled here can be viewed on the U.S. National Institutes of Health PubMed website using this (1) 

 

Antioxidant Levels

A study published in 2018 compared the functional biological activities of the 3 main phenotypes of Maca. The study concluded that the lipids and polysaccharides of black maca showed higher antioxidant effect than red and yellow. Red was less than 10% behind black and yellow about 25%. (2)

 

Metabolism

A study published in “Frontiers in Pharmacology” in 2018 found that Black Maca extract prevents metabolism disorders by helping regulate glucose, which is an important metabolite for humans. The brain requires about 50% of its calories from glucose and red blood cells subsist exclusively on glucose. This study showed that Black Maca enhances the production of glucose in the body and may thereby support a healthier metabolism. (3)

 

Sperm Production

From 2006 to 2016 there have been several significant independent studies done on how black colored roots of maca affect both sperm production and sperm motility.  The first significant study, published in 2006, found that Black Maca was the only color to effectively support the production of sperm among rats tested. It also found that, “Black Maca affects sperm count as early as 1 day after beginning of treatment.” (4)  

A second study from 2006 found that “…black maca increased epididymal sperm count after 84 days of treatment” in the male rats studied. It also concluded that compared to other colors of maca, “black maca appeared to have more beneficial effect on sperm counts and epididymal sperm motility.” (5) 

Similar results were found in 2016 with an increase in daily sperm production.  This study, using mice, found that sperm motility as well as sexual dysfunction was affected positively by adding black maca root to the animals’ diet over the course of 12 weeks. (6) 

 

Memory

In 2011 two different studies, one from China and one from Peru, found that Black Maca helped laboratory mice improve their memory and concentration skills.(7)  (8) 

 

Bone Health

In 2010 a team of 6 researchers reported that Red and Black Maca were found to be the best at improving and protecting bone structure especially in mice that had their ovaries removed. (9)

Improving Mood, Learning and Concentration

In 2006 a Peruvian team observed that while all maca colors contributed favorably to reducing depression, black maca also improved the learning and concentration abilities of laboratory mice. (10)

And a more recent study from 2016 from an esteemed and larger group of international researchers found that black maca improved mood as well as overall “quality of life.” (11)