Potentially bioactive ingredients that are unique to maca include macaridine, macaenes (fatty acids), macamides, and maca alkaloids. Maca contains glucosinolates, such as glucoalyssin, glucosinalbin, glucobrassicanapin, glucobrassicin, glucoaubrietin and benzyl glucosinolate. Maca also contains sterols, such as beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. The amounts of these ingredients vary between different growers, different colors, and different batches of maca. Although mechanisms of action are largely unknown, some theorize that these ingredients may play a role in maca’s purported effects on fertility (reproductive health), sexual drive, hormonal balance, and immune function.[1][2]
What potentially bioactive ingredients does maca have?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Maca contains unique potentially bioactive ingredients such as macaridine, macaenes, macamides, maca alkaloids, and various glucosinolates and sterols. The amounts of these ingredients can vary based on factors like the grower and the maca's color, and they are thought to influence reproductive health, sexual drive, hormonal balance, and immune function.