Sexual Health
The South American "radish" that feeds livestock has become an extremely expensive "aphrodisiac" in China, let's all feel it
The domestic health product market has never been lacking in wonders. In recent years, Peru's "aphrodisiac" Maca has been added - a common food used by South American people to feed livestock and cook, equivalent to radishes and sweet potatoes. However, it has become a "natural Viagra" and "South American ginseng" worth tens of thousands of yuan per kilogram when resold to China. Merchants claim that it can enhance male and female sexual function, treat infertility, and have a lot of magical health effects such as nourishing blood.
However, multiple scientific studies on Maka have not yet reached a definitive conclusion on "aphrodisiac", and other "health functions" are even more non-existent.
For this reason, the US drug regulatory agency has determined that some Maka merchants have engaged in "illegal advertising" behavior. Domestic male health experts suggest that patients with sexual or reproductive impairments should receive formal medical treatment and not believe in the "magical effects" of Maka.
Magic: South American "radish" sold at over 10000 yuan per kilogram in China
Maka is a cruciferous plant native to the Andes Mountains of South America, and is now artificially planted in Peru and China. It is widely cultivated in Yunnan and Xinjiang in China. The main edible part of Maka is its starch rich tubers, which contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and dietary fiber, as well as phytosterols, as well as elements such as iron, magnesium, selenium, and calcium. Maka and radish belong to the same family, and their root morphology is very similar to that of round radishes. In terms of nutrition, maca is also similar to sweet potatoes, yams, radishes, etc. It is a very common vegetable food in Peru, which can be consumed by men, women, children, patients, and pregnant women. After being ground into flour, Maka is similar to flour and used for making bread, pastries, etc. It is also used as feed in many places and fed in large quantities to livestock. According to data, Maka was approved by the former Ministry of Health as a new resource food in May 2011. Currently, products made from Maka are mainly marketed domestically under the name of "health food".
In the Inca culture of South America, for more than two thousand years, it has been rumored among the people that maca can strengthen the body, refresh the mind, and promote aphrodisiac activity. Many businesses advertise that Maka has many magical effects, such as blood tonic, anti fatigue, memory enhancement, osteoporosis treatment, depression treatment, and even can treat AIDS! It is said that Maka can enhance libido, treat infertility, and is regarded as a "aphrodisiac", "natural Viagra", "South American ginseng", etc. on the internet. It has become a new favorite in the field of health and wellness, and can be seen in pharmacies, supermarkets, and even farmers' markets in China. According to reports, in some Maka specialty stores in China, Maka sells at a skyrocketing price of over 10000 yuan per kilogram.
Research: Marka's "aphrodisiac" effect lacks evidence from human studies
However, there is currently limited scientific research evidence on the health benefits of Maka, with only a few randomized controlled studies showing that it may have some effects. Katherine Zelman, director of the nutrition department of WebMD, a US medical website, and a registered dietitian, said that some scientists studied whether Maka could help men and women with low libido and found that it could reduce prostate hypertrophy. Several animal studies have also found that maca has a stimulating effect on sexual desire, but there is still a lack of large-scale human studies, and the mechanism of action of maca as a "health food" is also unclear.
The Langley Medical Center of New York University in the United States pointed out that there is currently no reliable evidence to prove that Maka really has various "benefits", and this plant has not had any impact on hormone levels in men. Professor and M.D. Andrew F. Berman of Georgetown University Medical Center in the United States believes that Maka may be helpful for sexual dysfunction, but the evaluation of efficacy related to sexual function is influenced by many psychological and sociological factors, making it difficult to reach a conclusion. The promotion of Maka's "aphrodisiac" is exaggerated - compared to placebo, Maka can only slightly enhance sexual desire. She also pointed out that there are currently no clinical studies on Maka to alleviate menopausal symptoms. A review in the international medical journal 'Latest Sexual Health Report' also suggests that there is currently no strong medical evidence to support the effect of Maka on female sexual dysfunction.
According to legend, there are one or twenty "functions" of Maka, which can improve both male and female reproductive functions. Some experts question it: "This seems too 'intelligent'." From the literature, there is not enough evidence for almost every item, especially the lack of scientific evidence to support the role of Maka in reproductive function, and the quality of clinical research alone is not high enough. For example, in a 2010 paper that systematically evaluated the relationship between maca and sexual function, it was found that current research data is limited and difficult to explain any issues; Another study stated that after taking Maka for 4 months, the number and function of sperm in men were improved, but the sample size of this study was too small (only 9 people) and there was no control group set up, indicating no problem.
Reminder: Some "Maka" products may add "Viagra" in violation of regulations
In the United States, many of the magical effects claimed by Marca's advertisements have not been recognized by the FDA. The FDA has also warned a company that produces Marca health products, believing that its advertisements claim that the products help male impotence, infertility, rejuvenation, endocrine regulation, etc. are illegal propaganda.
Experts say that Maka is not necessarily magical, and it is unreliable for patients with sexual or fertility disorders to try to "revitalize their vitality" through Maka. It is recommended to receive formal treatment. He also reminded that "aphrodisiac" health products have always been severely affected by violations, and it is not ruled out that some products under the brand of Maka may secretly add certain medicinal ingredients (such as "Viagra"). Eating them can have good erectile effects, but it also brings additional health risks.
Although long-term consumption of Maka has not shown any adverse effects, Zelman reminds that some food processing processes may have hidden dangers. The Langney Medical Center is cautious about its safety, stating that "this drug has not undergone comprehensive safety testing and its safety has not been determined in young children, pregnant women, lactating women, and people with severe liver or kidney disease