Almost everyone knows what kratom is and what it does. Sure, many of these alleged effects are still only speculation since there isn’t enough scientific evidence to confirm how kratom really affects the body. Nevertheless, kratom supporters and advocates can tell you all about the herb and all of the wonderful benefits that it provides.
But while most of the kratom patronage might be able to tell you what kratom can do for your body, most of them probably don’t know what’s actually in a spoonful of kratom. No, we’re not talking about mitragynine or all of those other alkaloids. We’re talking carbs, proteins, and micronutrients. Wondering what’s in a spoon of speciosa? Find out here.
Serving size: 1 cup
Calories per | 80 kcal |
---|---|
Carbohydrates | 17g |
Proteins | Less than 1g |
Fat | 2g |
Calcium | –% |
Iron | — mg |
Potassium | — mg |
Sodium | Less than 0.1mg |
Vitamin A | –% |
Vitamin C | –% |
Even at a serving size of 1 cup, it’s easy to see that kratom doesn’t really contain much in terms of both macros and micros. Taking a tablespoon of kratom powder a day would add no more than just 5 calories to your daily dietary intake. Obviously, kratom also isn’t too packed with the usual micronutrients like potassium, iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C.
The reason for this is because kratom is mainly fiber. Notice how when mixed with water, kratom doesn’t melt or dissolve. Similarly, when it passes through your system, it isn’t digested and broken down.
Instead, it comes out exactly the same — as powder. But you might not notice that since it’s going to be mixed in with all of the other stuff that you eat. So if kratom only passes through the system and it doesn’t contain a robust nutritional profile, where does it effects come from?
Alkaloids are naturally occurring chemical compounds that are produced in the kratom plant’s leaves. The most abundant alkaloids in the kratom plant are mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine. Studies on these two compounds are limited, however initial reports suggest that it directly interacts with opioid receptors in the brain.
Presently, there’s no way to accurately measure how much alkaloids a kratom sample contains. However, there are some markers that might be able to indicate whether or not a specific kratom product contains more alkaloids than others:
From a safety standpoint, this is definitely beneficial. But more than that, you can be sure that products that don’t contain these harmful components were properly and safely handled, harvested, dried, and processed. That effectively protects the plant chemistry and preserves its alkaloid content.
Most reputable kratom sources will have some form of proof to tell you where their raw product comes from. Others will even go as far as taking routine trips to Southeast Asia to talk and deal directly with kratom farmers in those parts of the world.
While there’s definitely nothing wrong with exploring your horizons, it’s equally important to make sure that your standard go-to doesn’t incorporate too many additives. Plain old kratom powder or capsules should be more than good enough to give you the results you’re after.
Purchase your kratom from small vendors that don’t stock large quantities of bulk kratom at a time to make sure you’re getting a fresh batch. Also try to buy just enough kratom to last a few weeks or a month to avoid storing your stash for too long.
You probably wouldn’t call kratom the breakfast of champions, but those macros and micros aren’t really what it’s all about. The power of kratom comes from its alkaloid content. So if you were taking a dose in the hopes of satisfying your recommended daily intake of various vitamins and minerals, you might be barking up the wrong tree. Get your macros and micros elsewhere, and rely on kratom for its powerful alkaloids instead.