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Mac5.5
Maca Research
Likely helps
39 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Maca appears to help in 3 of 4 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2002–2026 with a typical study size of 57 participants.
Based on 39 studies · 3 meta-analyses · 11 RCTs · 1,689 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
3helped1unclear· 35 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Men's vitalityEffects appear independent of hormone levels (testosterone, estradiol, LH/FSH unchanged) · 4-8 weeks · Improved libido and sexual desire · 4-8 weeks
Likely helps34 studies
Fertility & reproductiveMay support reproductive health and fertility markers · 4-12 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Safety profile
Mostly mechanism / observational7 studies
Women's healthMay help manage menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes · 4-8 weeks · Trials show no change in measured hormone levels; benefits are non-hormonal · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational6 studies
Endurance & exercise performancePerformance evidence is mixed; a 2025 RCT in trained athletes found no benefit · 4-8 weeks · Inconsistent performance data; a 2025 trial in athletes showed no ergogenic effect · 8-12 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Heart & blood pressure
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Energy & fatigueMay improve energy and fatigue, but evidence is mixed · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Depression & moodImproves well-being and reduces anxiety and depression scores · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Anxiety & stressAdaptogenic support for stress and energy balance · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Bone healthBone benefits are based on animal studies (red maca); no human bone-density trials · 8-12 weeks
2Metabolic syndrome risk factorsSystematic ReviewCited 43×n=113 · medium study2018
Furthermore, conclusions may be different if other health benefits are considered.
van den Driessche JJ et al. · Food & function (2018)
Overall, only limited evidence was found for the effects of the foods described as superfoods on metabolic syndrome parameters, since results were not consistent or the number of controlled intervention trials was limited.
The inconsistencies might have been related to intervention-related factors, such as duration or dose.
Furthermore, conclusions may be different if other health benefits are considered.
4Erectile and sexual function in men with EDMeta-Analysis2025
In contrast, evidence for other agents such as Tribulus terrestris and Maca remains insufficient, underscoring the need for larger, high-quality trials with longer follow-up.
Ho CY et al. · Journal of traditional and complementary medicine (2025)
Fourteen RCTs with a total of 1227 males with ED were included.
Herbal dietary supplements as a class had significant positive effects on erectile function (SMD = 1.20), sexual desire (SMD = 1.02), and satisfaction, driven mainly by saffron and ginseng.
In contrast, evidence for other agents such as Tribulus terrestris and Maca remains insufficient, underscoring the need for larger, high-quality trials with longer follow-up.
5Menopausal symptomsSystematic ReviewCited 36×n=202 · medium study2011
Preliminary evidence suggests maca may alleviate menopausal symptoms, but quality of existing trials is limited.
Lee MS et al. · Maturitas (2011)
Maca showed promising effects on menopausal symptoms including hot flashes and mood
Sexual dysfunction improved in menopausal women across available trials
Evidence limited by small sample sizes and methodological concerns in existing RCTs
6Systematic ReviewCited 21×2021
Nevertheless, due to individual differences and limitations of the subjects, further high-quality studies are needed to confirm the clinical efficacy of the plant.
Chen R et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2021)
Additionally, the research on the change of active components in Maca at different growth stages by MS will be beneficial to full utilization of active components in Maca and other natural resources.
We reviewed the study in the visible distribution of amino acids, amide alkaloids, imidazolium alkaloids, and saccharides in Maca by imaging mass spectrometry (IMS).
We also reviewed the pharmacology value associated with improvement of reproductive function, anti-stress response, anti-osteoporosis, antitumor activity, clinical research and toxicity of Maca, and so forth.
For each of these plants, information about their traditional uses and current commercialization is also included.
Lock O et al. · Natural product communications (2016)
It is estimated that there are as many as 1400 plant species currently used in traditional Peruvian medicine; however, only a few have undergone scientific investigation.
In this paper, we make a review of the botanical, chemical, pharmacological and clinical propierties of the most investigated Peruvian medicinal plants.
For each of these plants, information about their traditional uses and current commercialization is also included.
8Systematic ReviewCited 55×2020
This review documents the Peruvian maca composition and the recent findings regarding the medicinal effects of this root in sexual dysfunction regulation, neuroprotective effects, action in memory enhancement, antidepressant, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory activities, and skin protection.
da Silva Leitão Peres N et al. · Food & function (2020)
Peruvian maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root native to the Andean region, cultivated for at least 2000 years.
Maca is rich in fiber, a large number of essential amino acids, fatty acids, and other nutrients, including vitamin C, copper, iron, and calcium.
Besides these essential nutrients, this root contains bioactive compounds responsible for benefits to the human body, which has caused a considerable increase in its consumption in the last 20 years worldwide.
Plant genetics, botanical parts, processing, extraction, and experimental protocols represent the major factors affecting the chemical composition, physicochemical attributes, and health effects of...
Wang S et al. · Food chemistry (2019)
Plant genetics, botanical parts, processing, extraction, and experimental protocols represent the major factors affecting the chemical composition, physicochemical attributes, and health effects of maca-based products.
However, clinical studies to support the claimed health effects of maca and related mechanisms appear to be lacking.
Product innovation and diversification in food and non-food utilization of different parts of maca to maximize the value perceptions are suggested.
Scientific evidence supports the use of mucuna and ashwagandha as phytotherapics for improving serum T concentrations and semen parameters.
Santos HO et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2019)
Scientific evidence supports the use of mucuna and ashwagandha as phytotherapics for improving serum T concentrations and semen parameters.
Despite inconclusive evidence for use of tribulus as a T booster, it may provide advantageous effects on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic infertility.
Nutraceutical strategies and some phytotherapics may also be effective to promote prostate health.
Maca polysaccharides, some of the major bioactive substances in Lepidium meyenii (Walp.) (Maca), have various biological properties, including anti-oxidant, anti-fatigue, anti-tumor, and immunomodu...
Li Y et al. · International journal of biological macromolecules (2018)
Maca polysaccharides, some of the major bioactive substances in Lepidium meyenii (Walp.) (Maca), have various biological properties, including anti-oxidant, anti-fatigue, anti-tumor, and immunomodulatory effects, as well as hepatoprotective activity and regulation function.
Although many therapeutics depend on multiple structures of maca polysaccharides in addition to providing sufficient foundations for maca polysaccharide products in industrial applications, the relationships between the pharmacological effects and structures have not been established.
Therefore, this article summarizes the extraction and purification methods, compositions, pharmacological effects, prospects and industrial applications of maca polysaccharides.
To date, the health claims of maca cannot be fully supported from a scientific standpoint and more research is needed.
Beharry S et al. · Journal of ethnopharmacology (2018)
To date, the health claims of maca cannot be fully supported from a scientific standpoint and more research is needed.
It appears that the indigenous local knowledge about the health benefits of maca has been dragged out of context to fit the demands of a growing market for herbal remedies.
This globalisation (or hype esp. in China) also has had serious consequences for the local producers in Peru.
The results of RCTs of the hop flavonoid 8-prenylnaringenin are conflicting.
Depypere HT et al. · Maturitas (2014)
The results of RCTs of the hop flavonoid 8-prenylnaringenin are conflicting.
Animal and human studies suggest that Dioscorea villosa (Wild yam),and Broccoli may protect against osteoporosis and breast and gynecological cancers but further evidence is required.
Linseed may protect against breast cancer but the results are conflicting.
Although experimental studies have shown that maca has diverse beneficial effects, more clinical studies are needed to confirm these results.
Gonzales GF et al. · Revista peruana de medicina experimental y salud publica (2014)
Black maca shows the best results on spermatogenesis, memory and fatigue, while red maca is the variety that reverses the benign prostatic hyperplasia and experimentally induced osteoporosis.
In addition, maca reduces the glucose levels, and its consumption is related to the lowering of blood pressure and an improved health score.
Experimental studies have proven that short and long term consumption don't show in vivo and in vitro toxicity.
16Systematic ReviewCited 24×2011
Cautiously positive conclusions were drawn for yohimbine and ginseng as treatment options for ED.
Ernst E et al. · Maturitas (2011)
Cautiously positive conclusions were drawn for yohimbine and ginseng as treatment options for ED.
For acupuncture and maca the evidence was insufficient for ED and SD respectively.
It is concluded that there is some encouraging evidence but more and better studies are required to establish the value of CAM for SD and ED.
de Aquino ACQ, Sarmento ACA, Teixeira RLA, Batista TN, de Freitas CL, Mármol JMP, Lara LAS, Gonçalves AK. · Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) (2025)
Bupropion SR 150 mg/b.i.d. showed improvements in three sexual function domains: desire (1.74 [1.03, 2.44], p = 0.00001), arousal (1.30 [1.16, 1.43], p = 0.00001), and orgasm (1.90 [1.78, 2.02], p = 0.00001) compared to placebo.
However, it did not improve depressive symptoms (0.46 [-0.71, 1.63], p = 0.44).
The GRADE rating for the evidence quality was low.
The gaps, deficiencies, and conflicts in the studies will be detailed, along with quality, safety, and efficacy criteria, highlighting the need for future research to specify all these factors of the maca used in publications.
Minich DM, Ross K, Frame J, Fahoum M, Warner W, Meissner HO. · Nutrients (2024)
The color, hypocotyl size, growing location, cultivation, and post-harvest processing methods can have a significant effect on the nutrition content, phytochemical profile, and clinical application.
Yet, research differentiating the colors of maca and clinical applications remains limited.
The gaps, deficiencies, and conflicts in the studies will be detailed, along with quality, safety, and efficacy criteria, highlighting the need for future research to specify all these factors of the maca used in publications.
20Anti-cancer potential of Peruvian medicinal plantsSystematic ReviewCited 52×2006
In addition, this review will discuss areas requiring future study and the inherent limitations in their experimental use as anti-cancer agents.
Gonzales GF et al. · Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry (2006)
No clear effect
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An analysis of new and approved drugs for cancer by the United States Food and Drug Administration over the period of 1981-2002 showed that 62% of these cancer drugs were of natural origin.
A number of native Andean and Amazonian medicines of plant origin are used as traditional medicine in Peru to treat different diseases.
Against this background, we present an evidence-based analysis of the chemistry, biological properties, and anti-tumor activities for these three plant materials.