You will love this delicious mango smoothie with maca. This Paleo and Vegan smoothie is full of tasty ingredients that will give you a nutritious start to the day!

This mango smoothie is smooth, velvety, and full of delicious mango flavour. No added sugar or sweetener is needed as this smoothie is sweet enough naturally without any extras needed!
I always like to ensure my smoothies are not just full of fruit. This mango maca smoothie has a good serving of protein and healthy fats from the added nut butter and ground flaxseed making this smoothie a great start to the day.
The added maca can help support stamina and energy production and I have added a dash of turmeric (which you can't taste - I promise!) - well known for its anti-inflammatory, immune boosting, and liver support properties.
Mangoes are one of my favourite summer fruits and although it is officially autumn the weather has still been warm and humid so I am hanging on to summer while I can!
I'm currently buying them while I can to chop them up and freeze them for later in the year. The glorious golden colour of mangoes always reminds me of sunshine - whilst at the same time bringing back memories of traveling in South East Asia - both of which make me feel summery and cheery!
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What are the benefits of maca?
Maca (Peruvian Ginseng) is a root vegetable that belongs to the same plant family as broccoli, radishes, and turnips. It is classed as a "superfood" as it is rich in complex carbohydrates, amino acids, fibre, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Inca warriors in Peru used to consume maca to help with endurance and stamina before battles or long journeys.
In South America maca has been used as both food and medicine for centuries and is believed to have adaptogenic and hormone-balancing properties. (1) An adaptogen can help the body be more resilient to stress - something we could all often do with a helping hand within todays fast paced society! Maca has also been shown to help increase libido (2) and SSRI/antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction (3),(4). Many people find that maca can help support them during times of fatigue and stress.
What type of maca should I take?
Traditionally, people in South America have always cooked maca before consuming or using a dried powder making a porridge-like dish. Raw, uncooked maca can be hard on the digestive system which is why I prefer to use a gelatised form of maca such as this one which is steam heated through the production process. This makes the maca making more digestible and ready to consume as is.
It is important to note that as Maca is a brassica vegetable it can contain goitregens that can interfere with thyroid function. Cooking maca destroys these enzymes that can inhibit thyroid function which is another reason it can be beneficial to use a gelatised form of maca which is steam heated.
How to use maca powder
Maca can be added into smoothies or oatmeal, sprinkled over cereal or granola, or added into homemade baking, snacks, and bliss balls.
Note: If you have any specific health concerns or are taking any medication please discuss them with your Doctor before taking any supplements or making changes to your supplement regime. Do not consume maca if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Additional Recipe Notes
Using a blend of frozen and fresh mango isn't absolutely necessary but it really takes this smoothie to the next level! The frozen mango gives the smoothie an extra velvety ice cream-like texture which is particularly tasty on hot days! Adding some fresh mango with the frozen really gives the smoothie that burst of fresh yellow colour and taste which is more vibrant than if just using the frozen fruit on its own.
I love to chop mango and store it in freezer bags so I can enjoy it any time of year. If you don't want to use frozen mango then fresh will work just as well but your smoothie may be a bit runnier. This smoothie mixture also can be poured into popsicle molds and then frozen and can make very tasty mango popsicles - yum!
For other healthy drinks or smoothies you may like to try:
Kawakawa tea - A Native Health Tonic
Strawberry and Banana Chia Pudding
For other nutritious breakfast ideas you may like:
Baked Eggs with Crispy Kale, Capsicum and Pumpkin Seeds
Quinoa Breakfast Bowl with Poached Egg, Avocado & Pesto
Tahini Oatmeal with Caramelised Bananas
Veggie Egg Muffins with Pesto
I hope you enjoyed this mango smoothie recipe! Please leave a star rating and some feedback in the comments below, I love hearing from you.
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Have a lovely week!
Hope x
Mango Smoothie with Maca
Ingredients
- 1.5 cup mango frozen* (About 1 mango)
- 1.5 cup mango fresh (About 1 mango)
- 1 banana frozen
- ¾ cup nut milk
- 1 tablespoon nut butter
- 2 teaspoon maca root powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric ground
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed ground *optional
Instructions
- Place all of the ingredients in a high powered blender with the liquid at the bottom. Blitz until smooth.
- Add more nut milk if necessary to reach the consistency you desire. Depending on the power of your blender you may need to add more liquid to make it easier to blend the frozen fruit.
- Pour into glasses and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrtition Information
This nutritional information is an estimate only and is provided as a courtesy to readers. It was auto-generated based on serving size, number of servings, and typical information for the ingredients listed in the recipe card. Please feel free to use your preferred nutrition calculator. Please consult your doctor about any specific dietary requirements.
References:
Meissner H.O, et al. Hormone Balancing effect of Pre-Gelatized Maca (Lepedium peruvianum Chacon) Int J Biomed Sci, (2006)
Gonzales GF, et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia. (2002)
Dording, C. M, et al. A Double-Blind, Randomized, Pilot Dose-Finding Study of Maca Root (L. Meyenii) for the Management of SSRI-Induced Sexual Dysfunction. CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics. (2008)
Christina M. Dording, et al. “A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Maca Root as Treatment for Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Women,” Evid Based Complement Alternat Med vol. (2015) Article ID 949036
Brooks NA, et al. Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content. Menopause. (2008)
Gonzales GF. Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. (2012)
Medical Disclaimer
The information on this website are my thoughts, ideas, and personal experiences around food, nutrition, and wellness, and hence all information presented on this website is for informational purposes only. The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and is not intended to be a replacement for any medical treatment. This site is not intended to be used for therapeutic purposes, as medical advice or to offer a cure to any health or medical condition nor intend to provide a substitute for the advice provided by a physician or other healthcare professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking any ongoing medication please seek the advice of your healthcare practitioner before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or supplement regime. Please seek the advice of a healthcare practitioner for your specific health concerns.
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