I got some questions about how to deal with maca powder and digestive issues like mild cramps or upset stomach. Generally, this is due to the extra starch content in raw maca products, and the solution is often as simple as switching to a cooked maca powder called gelatinized maca.
However, I recently received a question about taking maca powder for heartburn. I’ve compiled a list of my top tips to help you still get the benefits of maca and avoid heartburn.
As a longtime maca powder user as well as a natural health consultant, I’ve seen that it’s really rare for people to get heartburn from maca. But it happens sometimes. I’m not 100% sure what’s causing this. But I’ve discovered a few things that can really help people overcome heartburn and other digestive issues when taking maca products. Here is the list:
- For some people, raw maca powder is too strong to digest due to its high starch concentration. If maca gives you an upset stomach along with heartburn, then you should definitely try gelatinized maca. The starch content has been removed, making it much easier to digest. Most people with a sensitivity to raw maca powder report no problems with gelatinized maca.
- Making sure you’re getting high-quality, certified organic maca and fresh maca is a really, really big help. Some maca powders have chemical fertilizer residue and have been sitting around for too long before use. We definitely want to avoid this if possible.
- Try red maca as it is the sweetest and tastiest. Some people who have had issues with other maca powders do well with Red Maca.
- Try taking maca with yogurt, avocado, or milk, or other fatty foods — this often helps relieve stomach upset.
- Make sure to keep your dosages small (less than a teaspoon at a time) until you feel you can increase the amount.
- Avoid taking maca with any kind of fruit – it makes heartburn worse.
- If all else fails, try taking your maca in combination with digestive enzymes. You can get them at your health food store. This has helped some people, although quality enzymes tend to be expensive.
Also keep in mind that maca is part of the mustard family and is naturally a bit spicy. But if you use a quality product with some fatty food, you should be able to get it down without any digestive issues. Really hope this helps and have a nice day!
Thanks to Mark A Ament
