Quick answer
Maca is a Peruvian root traditionally used for energy and libido. In a 12-week placebo-controlled trial, healthy men taking 1,500–3,000 mg a day reported improved sexual desire from week 8, but a systematic review rates the overall evidence as limited.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) grows high in the Peruvian Andes, often above 3,500 metres, where it has been eaten as a food and used as a tonic for centuries. It is now one of the most popular botanicals in men's supplements, including SodaPeak's 8-ingredient blend.
Traditional use
Andean communities have long used the root for stamina and fertility. An NIH-hosted review of maca's ethnobiology traces this history and the plant's nutritional profile.
What the research says
- Sexual desire: a 12-week randomized trial in healthy men found improved self-reported desire from week 8 at 1,500 or 3,000 mg a day, without changes in testosterone.
- Overall evidence: a systematic review of four randomized trials concluded the evidence is limited, mainly because trials were small.
- Energy and mood: often reported in traditional use; human data are still sparse.
A quick reality check: studies test single ingredients, usually at hundreds of milligrams to several grams a day. SodaPeak blends eight botanicals into 82 mg per gummy (about 567 mg of dry herb), and the amount of each isn't disclosed. So research explains why an ingredient was chosen, not how SodaPeak will work for you. Compare every ingredient in our ingredients guide.
Is maca safe?
Maca is eaten as a food in Peru and is generally well tolerated in studies. As with any supplement, check with a doctor if you take medication or have a hormone-sensitive condition. Read SodaPeak side effects for the full label warnings.
Maca vs. other herbs
Wondering how maca compares with other popular choices? See maca vs. ashwagandha and maca vs. tribulus, or find out how long maca takes to work.
Types of maca: yellow, red and black
Maca roots come in several colors. Yellow is the most common, while red and black maca are often marketed separately for men. Researchers have explored differences between them, but most human trials, including the main 12-week study in healthy men, used maca without separating colors. Treat color-specific claims with caution until there is better evidence.
How maca is thought to work
Scientists don't fully understand it. In the key trial, desire improved while testosterone stayed the same, which suggests maca does not act as a hormone. The NIH-hosted ethnobiology review describes a range of plant compounds, including glucosinolates and macamides, that may play a role. Until mechanisms are clearer, it's best to think of maca as a traditional food-based botanical with modest, still-limited evidence.
Who maca may suit
- Healthy adults interested in a food-based botanical with a long history of use.
- Men looking at desire and general vitality rather than testosterone.
- People willing to use it consistently for at least 8–12 weeks; see how long maca takes.
Who should be cautious
Maca is generally well tolerated, but evidence on long-term use and drug interactions is limited. Speak with your doctor if you have a thyroid condition, a hormone-sensitive condition, or take regular medication. The NIH recommends telling your health provider about every supplement you use.
How to judge a product that contains maca
- Find the amount. Is it listed on its own, or hidden in a proprietary blend?
- Compare with research doses. If studies used grams and a product contains milligrams, expect a gentler effect, if any.
- Check the company. A named distributor and a complete label are basic trust signals; see how to read a supplement label.
- Look for realistic claims. The FDA warns that some "natural" enhancement products contain hidden drug ingredients.
- Give it time. Botanicals are typically studied over 8–12 weeks.
The bottom line
Maca is one of the better-studied herbs for male desire, but the evidence is still small. It is a reasonable ingredient to try as part of a balanced routine, not a guaranteed fix. In SodaPeak it is one of eight botanicals; see the ingredients guide to compare it with the others.
Ways to take maca
Maca powder can be added to smoothies, oatmeal or coffee; capsules and gummies offer convenience. Gelatinized maca has been heated to remove starch and may be easier to digest.
Frequently asked questions
Does maca increase testosterone?
Not according to the main trial. In the 12-week study of healthy men, maca improved self-reported sexual desire while serum testosterone stayed the same, so any benefit appears to work through other pathways.
How much maca did studies use?
The best-known trial used 1,500 mg or 3,000 mg of maca a day. That is far more than any single ingredient in SodaPeak, whose entire eight-herb blend is 82 mg per gummy.
What does maca taste like?
Maca powder has an earthy, slightly nutty, malty flavor. In gummies like SodaPeak the taste is masked by fruit flavors and sweeteners, so you will not notice it.
Is maca good for fertility?
Some small studies have looked at semen quality with mixed results. Evidence is too limited for firm conclusions.
Can maca raise blood pressure?
This has not been a common finding, but monitor your blood pressure if you have hypertension and check with your doctor.
Sources
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. We may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page. See our affiliate disclosure.