Everything we put inside our bodies has calories. This also applies to herbs and plants, like kratom, a supplement that many people take. But, these people may have never thought, does kratom have calories?
Well, it does. But there is more to it than you think. Have you wondered what provides this caloric value and if you can measure it for your diet? You may have many more questions like these, and we have done our research to answer them all.
We present our guide that emphasizes the nutritional value of kratom and whether kratom has any calories. It also answers some really important questions you should know about before you form your opinion about kratom.
Let’s discover the truth!
What Is Kratom?
Many people don’t know what kratom is and sometimes confuse it with other herbs and botanicals. Kratom is a tree native to parts of Southeast Asia, like Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and more, and it has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
It is also known as Mitragynine Speciosa. The leaves contain certain active compounds called alkaloids that help it have various effects on the body and mind. The most notable of these are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine.
Kratom comes in different vein colors and strains, which gives it diversity in terms of effects and more. It also comes in various forms, such as powders, capsules, and more. However, this botanical is primarily known for its potential health benefits, which we will learn about in a while.
Understanding Nutritional Value, Caloric Content, and Composition of Kratom
Kratom is an herb that contains many minerals, vitamins, and other important nutrients. Although it hasn’t been extensively researched, some studies show that it includes essential minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants, which can have potential health benefits.
Here are the details of these:
- Minerals: Small amounts of Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, and other minerals are reportedly found in kratom.
- Vitamins: According to some studies, Vitamin C, B, and E have been linked with kratom in trace amounts.
- Antioxidants: There are polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids present in kratom that can help with oxidative stress.
If you want to know in detail about the nutritional value of kratom, here we have mentioned it nutrient by nutrient:
- Sodium: <0.1 mg
- Iron: 0.5 mg
- Calcium: 13.2 mg
- Potassium: 18.5 mg
- Carbohydrates: 1.5 g
- Protein: 0.2 g
- Fats: <0.1 g
Does Kratom Have Calories? Everything You Need To Know
As we have seen in the nutritional value of kratom, it cannot replace food in your diet because the micronutrients are present in very low amounts. Also, the potential benefits of this botanical make it much more favorable than its nutritional value as a food source.
But that brings up the question: does kratom have calories? And the answer is a bit more complicated than you think. First of all, calories are units of energy that measure the amount of energy food provides to the body. Kratom might not traditionally be considered food, but it is still a plant that can have some form of calories if you are taking it.
Some studies have shown that a teaspoon or 2 to 3 grams of kratom powder can have around 8 to 10 calories. Your daily cup of coffee has more calories than a teaspoon of kratom, which again emphasizes that kratom isn’t a food source you should rely upon.
Carbohydrate Content In Kratom
Carbohydrates are considered one of the macronutrients we need to keep ourselves healthy. These are nutrients we need in larger quantities to help us give energy. When considering the macronutrient profile of kratom, carbohydrates are present but in negligible amounts.
For example, a 2-gram serving of kratom powder typically contains around 1-2 grams of carbohydrates. This minimal carbohydrate content suggests that kratom is not a significant source of energy.
The carbohydrates in kratom primarily come from dietary fiber, which is minimally digestible and does not contribute significantly to caloric intake. While kratom does contain some fiber, it is not a substantial source of digestible carbohydrates. So, you shouldn’t take kratom just because of its negligible carbohydrate content.
Vitamins & Minerals In Kratom
Kratom’s nutrition facts suggest that it contains a variety of vitamins and minerals. Although it is not typically consumed for its nutritional value, the kratom plant is known to have trace amounts of several essential nutrients.
Vitamins
- Vitamin C: An antioxidant that supports the immune system and aids in iron absorption.
- Vitamins B1 (thiamine) and B2 (riboflavin): Important for energy metabolism.
- Other B vitamins: Including B5 (pantothenic acid) and B6, which play roles in various metabolic processes.
Minerals
- Calcium: Essential for bone health.
- Magnesium: Important for muscle function and energy production.
- Potassium: Helps maintain healthy blood pressure and fluid balance.
- Iron: Necessary for oxygen transport in the blood.
- Zinc: Supports the immune system and wound healing.
Potential Health Benefits of Kratom
Kratom has some varying potential benefits that can help you power through your day without many problems. Here are some we have mentioned:
Supports Overall Wellness
Kratom supports overall wellness for both the body and mind. By making you feel calming and relaxing effects, it can help you have a wind down that is quick and easy. You can also find other benefits that enable you to move towards a better health trajectory.
Enhance Energy & Focus
Some strains of kratom are widely used for their potential to provide clean energy and focus. By clean energy, we mean a boost in motivation without jitters, as caffeine does. This helps many people get tasks done without any interruptions.
Occasional Discomfort Aid
Once in a while, users have reported that kratom has helped them to alleviate discomfort. This can be because of the mood-boosting benefits or because of the calming and soothing effects kratom can have.
Conclusion
What did we learn? Kratom is definitely not a food source. This is a point that you should remember as it is considered a herbal supplement that can aid your journey towards better health, not be the center point of it.
Also, kratom alone can’t do the heavy lifting as it has minimal to no nutritional value. If you want to get the better part of the deal, you should combine kratom with a balanced diet. This will help you get the results you might be looking for.
You should also remember to follow the serving size of your favorite kratom supplement from Happy Go Leafy so it can be the perfect amount of caloric intake you put inside of you every day.
FAQs
Can kratom be considered a healthy dietary supplement?
Kratom can be a great supplement for your overall health, but as it has a nominal amount of nutritional value, you cannot consider it a healthy dietary supplement. But you can combine it with your daily diet to get the best results.
How does the nutritional content of kratom vary across different strains?
The nutritional value of kratom can vary depending on the strain you choose. As the alkaloid profile of every strain determines the nutritional content you will get, it can change for any other strain of kratom.
Does kratom have caffeine?
Kratom does not naturally contain caffeine. It comes from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which belongs to the coffee family (Rubiaceae). While kratom leaves can have stimulating effects similar to caffeine, they do not inherently contain caffeine as a whole compound.
Does kratom have fiber?
Kratom leaves do contain fiber, though the amount can vary. The fiber content primarily consists of insoluble fiber such as cellulose and lignin, which contribute to digestive health by promoting regularity and aiding in waste removal.
Does kratom have antioxidants?
Yes, kratom has antioxidants. Many antioxidants, such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids, provide their own set of potential benefits to kratom and enable the protection of the body and mind.