There are quite a few superfoods emerging and claiming to be an athlete’s best friend. Within reason, they are right anything that will boost energy levels, improve endurance, promote a clear mental focus and restore optimum hormone balance is a good thing right?
Well, one that stands out to me is the Maca root.
Maca root is an adaptogenic herb (useful to the body as they are plants with properties that exert a normalizing influence on the body), from South America.
When we talk stamina and fitness, the maca root has an effect on stabilising blood sugar levels coupled with the strengthening effect it has on the adrenals. Having stable blood sugar levels and healthy adrenal function means that more energy will be available for exercise when you otherwise would be getting low.
Having increased stamina also will help in turn with fat-burning efforts by helping you to keep going at whatever cardio routine you’re doing for longer, or by making the cardio seem easier, allowing you to do it at a quicker pace – therefore you burn more calories and lose more weight.
Maca is a great source of glycogen for muscles and contains easily digestible high-quality protein, small amounts of essential fats, and minerals such as zinc, calcium and magnesium.
I have added Bioglan maca powder to my morning choc berry smoothie for a couple of months now and vouch for its effectiveness. I actually feel a little lost if I don’t have it.
Other ways to include maca is in slices, energy balls, baking, anything really as it has quite a mild taste.
There are so many other issues maca can help with from fertility to increasing metabolism to managing oestrogen and assisting arthritis sufferers. So do you own research and see if this ancient superfood is something that might just make your day a little easier!
top pic via blisstree.com
