Background

Andean maca has been considered a libido and fertility-boosting root for hundreds of years. These claims have been supported by animal research, but few randomized controlled trials exist in humans on this topic. This study was designed to explore fertility-boosting effects maca may have in men with reduced semen quality.

The study

This randomized controlled trial included 69 men with mild asthenozoospermia (reduced sperm motility) and/or mild oligozoospermia (reduced sperm quantity). Participants supplemented 2 grams of maca root capsules or placebo daily for 12 weeks. Semen samples were collected at baseline and 12 weeks into the study. Researchers evaluated sperm quantity, motility, morphology, and semen volume.

The results

Participants supplementing maca experienced significantly improved sperm quantity. All other semen parameters were not significantly different between groups.

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This Study Summary was published on August 6, 2020.