Maca root, often known as Peruvian Ginseng, is a root vegetable found in the high elevations in the Andes Mountains in Peru. It has been consumed by people native to the area dating back to the Incas. According to research, Maca can be consumed for energy, vitality, libido, and much more.
Today, since Maca is an adaptogenic root, it is used by both men and women to balance hormone levels, relieve anxiety, and improve libido. New research suggests there are numerous other benefits as well.
If you’re looking to purchase a maca supplement, then you should scroll to see our top-ranked maca supplements for 2024 and beyond. Our research team has reviewed dozens of products and discovered the absolute highest quality maca supplements to improve your overall health and wellness.
The Best Maca Capsules for 2024 & Beyond
- Simple Life Nutrition Gelatinized Maca Capsules
- Naturalife Labs Organic Maca
- Sunfood Superfoods Gelatinized Capsules
- KOS Maca Root Capsules
- The Maca Team Organic Raw Capsules
- NOW Maca Capsules
- Natgrown Maca Capsules
- Maju Superfoods Maca Capsules
- Mother Nature Organics Gelatinized Maca
These are the best maca powder capsules for 2024 and beyond:
Simple Life Nutrition Gelatinized Maca Capsules
Simple Life Nutrition’s maca capsules contain 800mg of premium organic maca powder. The manufacturer uses both red, yellow, and black Maca in one blend to maximize the potential benefits.
Their gelatinized maca capsules are amongst the best-rated products on Amazon with dozens of legitimate reviews, compared to the fraudulent products that paid for reviews. You can order these premium maca capsules at $19.99 for a 30-day supply, which is right in the sweet price as far as price is concerned.
Naturalife Labs Organic Maca
Each bottle of Naturalife Labs’s organic maca capsules comes with 75 servings. There are also 75 servings in each bottle that give you more bang for your buck.
As you should expect, there are zero hormones, antibiotics, soy, yeast, artificial ingredients, or fillers in these capsules. There’s a lot to like about these capsules, and they’re a solid choice if you’re looking for a reliable alternative to Simple Life Nutrition’s gelatinized maca capsules.
Sunfood Superfoods Gelatinized Capsules
As we’ve mentioned, gelatinization makes the maca powder more concentrated, so these capsules have all the great vitamins, minerals, and other phytonutrients in a higher concentration than you might otherwise get. Sunfood Superfoods also remains a popular seller and one of the most trusted names in the supplement industry, so their maca capsules are a solid choice.
KOS Maca Root Capsules
KOS claims their maca capsules can support libido for men and women, boost energy levels and cognition, and provide natural stress relief. Each bottle contains 120 capsules, good enough for 30 to 60 days.
A bottle of KOS Maca capsules will only run you about $20, which is well within the acceptable range that maca capsules should cost. Overall, KOS is a solid choice, and their maca capsules have been well-reviewed by both men and women.
The Maca Team Organic Raw Capsules
You can purchase any color of Maca from the Maca Team, and they are all priced similarly based on how difficult it is to find and manufacture the Maca.
Plus, The Maca Team has been around forever and is arguably the largest seller of maca products in the United States. Therefore, they’re a great choice if you want a company with a long history of selling quality products and want a household name for maca products.
NOW Maca Capsules
NOW is arguably one of the largest supplement manufacturers globally, and they sell a variety of maca products. You can purchase their maca capsules in a variety of different sizes. Currently, they sell capsules in 30, 90, 100, or 250 containers, and they dose their products at either 500 or 750mg of pure maca powder per capsule.
NOW Maca Capsules are amongst the most affordable brands on our list, although the dosage is much lower, and therefore you may have to take more capsules per day to feel the benefits. Still, if you want the most bang for your buck, these may be a good option.
Natgrown Maca Capsules
Natgrown is another popular seller of maca capsules on Amazon with over 4,700 reviews, most of which are positive. Their organic maca capsules contain a blend of red, yellow, and black Maca, with 750mg of maca powder in each capsule. It also has 5mg of Piperine®, a patented form of black pepper included for absorption.
Overall, Natgrown has a solid reputation and has been selling supplements on Amazon for a few years. Their maca capsules continue to be a popular product and should be a reliable choice if the products above don’t meet your specific individual needs.
Maju Superfoods Maca Capsules
Maju Superfoods Maca+ contains 500mg of pure red, yellow, and black maca powder. It also has black pepper extract to help your body absorb the maca powder, which is a nice bonus. This should help amplify the potential effects of the organic maca powder found in these capsules.
Maju is one of the leading supplement manufacturers on Amazon. Their maca capsules have over 3,000 four or five-star reviews, making it one of the most well-reviewed maca products on Amazon.
Once you include the Maju name in the mix, you can see why Maju maca capsules are a solid choice, especially if you want to use all three forms of Maca.
Mother Nature Organics Gelatinized Maca
Mother Nature Organics is another premium supplement manufacturer that predominantly sells its products on Amazon. Their flagship product is their gelatinized pure and organic black Maca.
Each bottle contains 200 maca capsules with premium organic black maca powder. Each capsule contains 500mg of Maca – good for 100 total servings, which should last you 50 to 100 days, depending on how many servings you want to take per day.
The only real drawback is that these Mother Nature Organics products tend to be more expensive than the leading competitors. However, if you factor in the quality of maca powder, then this company is still a solid choice.
How We Ranked The Best Maca Capsules
Our team researched dozens of different brands of maca capsules while compiling our rankings. We used several factors to determine our top maca products. Some of the most critical factors we used to determine our rankings included:
Color of Maca
Maca is different from most other supplements because it comes in three forms, each unique. Therefore, we had to break down each supplement based on its respective color before ranking the top categories.
We gave preference to maca supplements that used multiple forms of Maca because they were more likely to amplify the benefits of Maca. In addition, using more forms of Maca would likely increase the number of potential health benefits.
Ingredient Quality & Sourcing
Supplements provide the best benefits when sourced from natively grown areas. This is why we looked for products that directly sourced their ingredients from Peru.
We also looked for maca supplements with organic certifications and strictly adhered to good manufacturing processes. The best products we found are made right here in the United States and provide clear, transparent information about where they are sourced.
Product Dosage
Dosage is vital for both the safety and effectiveness of any supplement. According to clinical research, the main dosage range used in clinical studies was between 1000 and 3500mg. This has been used to manage sexual dysfunction and to improve libido.
Studies have found that Maca can be effective as little as 1200mg. We searched for supplements that fit this range and selected products in the middle of this range since they were more likely to be tolerated and effective.
Product Reviews
The last main area we researched was to look at actual customer reviews. We examined whether or not customers felt any benefits, if they experienced side effects, how well they tolerated the product, and whether they would recommend the product to their friends and family.
We gave preference to products with the best customer reviews that seemed honest. We discounted products that had seemingly fake or inflated reviews. The most genuine and positive reviews we found, the higher we rated the product.
Who Should Use Maca?
Maca has been recognized as safe for both men and women, and studies have found several different benefits for both men and women. For instance, in various clinical studies, Maca has been shown to help both men and women improve their libido after just 4-6 weeks of use.
Women suffering from menopause may also find Maca especially helpful since clinical research suggests that maca supplements can reduce the symptoms of menopause – such as hot flashes, poor sleep, poor bone health, and irritability.
Athletes and bodybuilders may find Maca especially useful because a growing number of studies find that Maca can enhance sports performance, endurance, and energy levels. Therefore, daily maca use may help boost performance during athletic events.
Finally, men suffering from erectile issues or poor fertility may find Maca helpful. Maca improves blood flow and erection quality while also improving fertility in men.
Even if you don’t fit these categories, there are plenty of other benefits to taking Maca, which makes it a product worth considering for anybody.
Science-Backed Benefits of Maca Powder Capsules
Maca has been extensively studied over the last twenty years, and there’s plenty of data to suggest Maca can have numerous individual benefits on your health. Some of the most well-documented benefits to taking Maca include:
Maca Is Very Nutritious
Maca powder has a large number of essential vitamins and minerals. It is an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, copper, iron, potassium, and manganese.
Maca is also rich in bioactive compounds like glucosinolates, which can help improve your stress response, eliminate inflammation, improve the body’s metabolism, and have antimicrobial effects.
Polyphenols are also present in Maca in large amounts. These micronutrients are said to help regulate digestion, increase antioxidant activity, support healthy weight management, and reduce your potential risk for heart disease.
Maca Can Improve Fertility in Men
Sperm quality & quantity is essential to male fertility. Research has found that Maca can improve both after a few weeks of use.
In a single study, nine men who took Maca experienced a significant improvement in the volume, count, and motility of sperm after four months. Another study found similar results, although the men in the second study involved men with already healthy levels of sperm and average sperm quality.
It May Reduce Prostate Size
The prostate is a gland found in men responsible for producing semen. It is common for men to experience an enlarged or inflamed prostate as they age, which can cause severe pain and problems during urination.
Studies have found that Maca can reduce both the swelling and size of the prostate in men suffering from an enlarged prostate. Researchers believe that the glucosinolates found in Maca are responsible for this action. Glucosinolates have been proven to have anti-inflammatory benefits and reduce the risk for certain types of cancer – including prostate cancer.
It Can Improve Libido in Both Men and Women
Maca has been used to improve libido for centuries, and various studies have concluded both men and women can enhance their libido with it. Virtually every “natural male enhancement” supplement now contains Maca for that reason.
A 2012 review of four randomized clinical studies concluded that Maca could “significantly” improve sexual desire after just six weeks of use. These studies had both men and women involved across these four studies.
It May Reduce the Symptoms of Menopause
Menopause occurs when a woman’s menstrual cycle stops permanently. This is usually the result of a long, steady decline of estrogen production in women.
When menopause occurs, several unpleasant effects can develop, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, irritability, and sleep issues.
Maca has been clinically proven to relieve and sometimes eliminate many of these symptoms. In a review of four studies, women experienced reduced severity and frequency of hot flashes, sleep issues, and mood swings while undergoing menopause.
It May Boost Cognitive Performance
Maca has been given to children living in the Andes mountains for centuries. According to the local natives, Maca can improve cognitive performance, specifically in school.
Although the evidence is only preliminary, some evidence shows that those taking Maca can perform better in school. Black Maca appears to be the most effective type of Maca for cognitive performance.
Maca May Boost Athletic Performance and Enhance Energy Levels
Bodybuilders and athletes have long used Maca to improve their overall performance. According to several studies, black Maca can improve muscle mass, strength, boost energy levels, and improve overall athletic performance.
One study found that male cyclists could reduce their time on a 25-mile bike ride after just 14 days of taking maca root. Some smaller studies have found that Maca can improve strength and muscle mass, although more evidence is needed.
In addition to these benefits, there’s other evidence that maca root powder can reduce blood pressure, eliminate inflammation, and improve mood. More evidence is still needed, but preliminary evidence suggests these are possible benefits of maca powder capsules.
Maca Safety & Dosage
Maca has been consumed by those living in the Andes region for centuries. It’s been documented that these same people have consumed Maca at upwards of several hundred grams per day.
Maca is considered reasonably safe, although the FDA does not have a GRAS designation for it yet. There are very few reported side effects, and WebMD and the Cleveland Clinic both list maca as relatively safe when taken in proper doses.
Some individuals are better off not taking Maca, though. For example, adults with thyroid conditions may want to avoid Maca or use shallow doses because Maca contains goitrogens. These goitrogens can interfere with the function of the thyroid gland, so if you have a thyroid problem, Maca could potentially make your situation worse.
Pregnant or nursing mothers should avoid Maca unless given express consent from their doctor that it is okay to try. There is minimal information about whether Maca is safe or not, and therefore it is most likely best avoided.
There are no significant concerns or severe risks for otherwise healthy adults for adverse effects while taking Maca. If you are unsure whether Maca may be suitable for you, most experts recommend speaking to a doctor before trying a maca powder supplement.
Maca Dosage
Maca has been extensively studied, so a precise, effective and safe dosage has been discovered. Most studies have used a dose between 1200mg to 3500mg to improve libido, fertility and to combat sexual dysfunction in males. A lower dose of 1000mg to 2500mg has been used in studies involving women. Therefore, any dose between 1000mg to 2500mg is ideal for safety and effectiveness.
It may be a good idea to slowly work up your dose to the higher range to gauge your tolerance. Start around the 1000mg dose and eventually work up to a higher amount in the 2000mg range once you feel like you can safely tolerate Maca well.
Maca Capsule FAQs
Q. What exactly is Maca?
A: Maca is a root vegetable located in the highest elevations in the Andes mountains. It has been used for centuries and consumed by both men and women to improve libido, energy levels, stamina, and much more.
It has quickly become one of the most popular ingredients for male enhancement supplements and supplements for menopause because of its direct benefits to both of these areas.
Q. What are the different forms of Maca?
A: Maca comes in three primary colors, each with a distinct flavor profile, nutritional background, and unique benefits. These three forms are black, red, and yellow Maca.
Black Maca is the rarest form of Maca and is most commonly used to increase stamina and performance in athletes. It is also said to help support strength & muscle mass gains, improve memory and focus, and boost sexual performance.
Red Maca is targeted towards women because it appears to have the most prevalent benefits related to hormonal balance. It also has a seemingly more significant effect on female libido, stamina and relieves the symptoms of menopause. However, it is also said to support prostate health, so men may still find it helpful.
Yellow Maca is the most common form of Maca and is primarily used for energy levels, stamina, and overall wellness. Yellow Maca is commonly used amongst both men and women.
Q. What is gelatinized Maca?
A: Gelatinized maca is a particular type of Maca that is produced after Maca is boiled then pressurized. This process removes the starch from the Maca but maintains the integrity of the nutrients in the Maca.
The main advantage of gelatinized Maca is that the Maca becomes more digestible after the starch is removed. It is also more concentrated because 3 grams of maca powder will have more nutritional value than 3 grams of raw powder. After all, the starch is gone.
Q. Does Maca have any clinically proven benefits?
A: Several research studies involving Maca have uncovered potential health applications over the last thirty years.
For example, Maca has supported healthier energy levels, libido in men and women, athletic performance, and cognition. It’s also proven to relieve the symptoms of menopause and is incredibly nutritious.
More studies continue to unlock further benefits of Maca, and it can improve virtually every aspect of your health in one way or another.
Q. Is Maca safe?
A: Maca is considered safe for most adults to take, with a few exceptions. If you’re over the age of 18, chances are you should tolerate Maca well without experiencing any side effects while taking the product.
If you’re under 18, are pregnant or nursing, or are on certain anxiety or stress-related medications, then Maca may not be suitable for you. If you are unsure, then it is recommended that you consult your doctor before trying Maca.
Q. I’m going through menopause; can I take Maca?
A: There’s a fair amount of research that suggests Maca can relieve the symptoms of menopause. Several studies have found that Maca may help reduce the severity and frequency of hot flashes, anxiety, mood swings, and many other side effects of menopause.
Q. How much should I expect to spend on a maca supplement?
A: Maca supplements can vary in price, but maca products should generally cost between $15 and 30 per month. Anything above that, and you likely are getting ripped off, and if you spend less than this range, you’re probably buying an inferior quality product.
The Best Maca Capsules for 2024 & Beyond Final Thoughts
Maca is one of the best supplements for improving sexual function, energy levels, and athletic performance in both men and women. The number of benefits continues to grow, and we will likely only discover more benefits as research studies are published.
If you’re looking to improve your performance, energy levels, cognition, or want to relieve the symptoms of menopause, then Maca may be suitable for you. To experience all of the incredible benefits of Maca, we recommend you purchase our #1 supplement – Simple Life Nutrition Gelatinized Maca Capsules.
