The Sourdough School

Baking eating and sharing bread to improve physical and mental health

Using a robust evidence-based baking protocol combining the evidence of thousands of years of baking with modern clinical insights, we offer comprehensive training to bakers and healthcare professionals, providing students with the tools to use baking in everyday practice as a wellness intervention.
Follow on Instagram

Soil Association
Our gardens are certified organic.

Baking as Lifestyle Medicine for Bakers and Clinicians

+44(0)7707 480336
[email protected]
Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Student Login

Navigation
  • Home
    • Login
  • About us
    • The School
    • Contact Us & FAQ
    • The Team
    • Contributors & Guest Tutors
    • General FAQ’s about The School
    • Be the Change
  • Admissions
    • Courses
    • Course Q&A’s
    • Graduation Week in Tuscany
    • Educational Awards Programme
    • Enrolment
    • Reviews
    • Student Welfare
    • Policies & Compliance
  • The Certificate
    • The Certificate
    • Teaching
    • Teacher Training
  • The Diploma
    • The Diploma
    • Licence to Prescribe BALM
  • BALM
    • Baking as Lifestyle Medicine
    • What is BALM?
    • BALM & Bread in The Blue Zone
    • Case Studies Library
    • BALM Podcasts
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Equipment
    • Ingredients

431 - ‘Chemical composition and health effects of maca (Lepidium meyenii)’. Food Chemistry. 288: 422-443

Reference Number: 431

Year: 2019

Authors: Sunan Wang, Fan Zhu

Link: Link to original paper

Health: Inflammation

Nutrition: Anthocyanins | Antioxidants | Polyphenols

Summary

Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers) has emerged as a popular functional plant food due to various claimed health effects. This review details the major (i.e., starch, dietary fiber, and protein) and minor constituents (i.e., minerals, non-starch polysaccharides, polyphenols (flavonolignans), macaenes, macamides, glucosinolates, and alkaloids) of maca (root and aerial parts). Diverse health effects of maca are also summarized. Various bioactivities of maca include enhanced reproductive health, antifatigue, antioxidation, neuroprotection, antimicrobial activity, anticancer, hepatoprotection, immunomodulation, and improving skin health and digestive system’s function. Plant genetics, botanical parts, processing, extraction, and experimental protocols represent the major factors affecting the chemical composition, physicochemical attributes, and health effects of maca-based products. However, clinical studies to support the claimed health effects of maca and related mechanisms appear to be lacking. Product innovation and diversification in food and non-food utilization of different parts of maca to maximize the value perceptions are suggested.

 

Significance of this study to the sourdough baker:

Maca can be used in our botanical blends. It actually belongs to the same family as Cruciferous vegetables and its root is rich in polyphenols too. Together these elements of the root have been found to effectively improve antioxidants capacity and accelerate energy processes. Although research is young, it has been found to improve mood, energy and other quality of life parameters.

Qualify in Baking as Lifestyle Medicine

All reasonable care is taken when writing about health aspects of bread, but the information it contains is not intended to take the place of treatment by a qualified medical practitioner. You must seek professional advice if you are in any doubt about any medical condition. Any application of the ideas and information contained on this website is at the reader's sole discretion and risk.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Email Sign Up

Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2023 Vanessa Kimbell
Call +44 (0)1604 881274 | Email [email protected]
Registered in England & Wales: 08412236
Website by Callia Web