Many people wonder about the nutritional content of kratom, including things like total calories, carbs, protein, and fiber. Others wonder about things such as whether or not kratom is keto-friendly or if it will somehow influence metabolic rate, weight gain, or weight loss.
Kratom consists mainly of carbohydrates in the form of dietary fiber, trace amounts of minerals (that depend largely on the soil), flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds, and alkaloids. This article will break down each of them so that you can understand the potential nutritional contents of kratom per serving. With this said, it is vital to note kratom and nutrition have not been studied, and any of the nutrients found in kratom powder are likely not to be a significant nutritional source.
Kratom’s caloric content may range from 5 to 15 calories, depending on whether you’re taking one teaspoon or a tablespoon. Generally, these calorie amounts are negligible and won’t really affect your target daily caloric intake, especially when you’re watching what you eat or on keto since the source of carbohydrates is mainly from dietary fiber. Note that there are only estimated values given the lack of extensive studies about kratom’s nutritional background and amount of calories.
| Measurement | Grams Equivalent | Calories (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon | 2.5 grams | 5 calories |
| 1 tablespoon | 7.5 grams | 15 calories |
Kratom’s sugar and starch content is minimal to non-existent, so the good news is it won’t affect keto values in terms of these. Its carb content is predominantly composed of fibers; however, fibers do not raise the glycemic index. Additionally, one teaspoon of kratom powder might only have around one gram of dietary fiber per serving, which is equivalent to no net grams of carbohydrates for the keto diet.
Because kratom’s carb content is minimal, kratom might be considered keto-friendly, although no scientific-based data supports this claim. However, there have been testimonies from experienced users mentioning kratom’s association with keto diets and that it is working well because kratom does not contribute any significant net carb increase for the keto diet. So, if you’re considering adding kratom to your keto diet, it likely won’t negatively impact your keto diet regimen.
Another essential macronutrient in the diet is protein, mainly sourced from meat, dairy, or legumes. Because kratom primarily consists of dietary fibers, trace amounts of minerals, flavonoids, polyphenolic compounds, and alkaloids, the levels of protein are negligible. So, to answer the question, no, regular kratom powder does not contain any significant source of protein. However, mixing kratom with certain things like yogurt or mixing with chocolate milk will add protein to the nutritional content.
Fibers are carbs that are not digested or absorbed by the body, often sourced from fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and nuts. They may either be soluble if they can easily dissolve in water or insoluble for those that only pass through the digestive system without absorption. Regardless, both types of fibers are essential in maintaining bowel movement regularity and for the health of the digestive system. Adults generally need at least 25 grams of fiber daily for optimal health. As mentioned previously, kratom does contain dietary fiber and around one gram or more per teaspoon serving.
Kratom leaves may also contain trace amounts of other vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc. However, vitamin and mineral content depends largely on soil conditions as well as cultivation and processing methods.
Iron is essential to keep healthy blood pumping in your circulation and metabolic processes. Kratom might have minimal amounts of iron, but the specific amount or level may vary depending on the region or soil from which the leaves are sourced. While kratom may not contain a substantial amount of iron, it may still contribute to your daily mineral intake.
There are users claiming kratom is related to iron deficiency anemia, with several mentioning that consistently high kratom doses may impair iron absorption. It is important to note that there is no direct study on this, but it is something to be aware of based on these anecdotal reports.
Besides Iron, kratom may also contain trace amounts of other minerals and vitamins; however, the amounts of each are not likely to be nutritionally significant nutritional sources of these micronutrients.
| Nutrient | Description | Role in the Body |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | Essential for bone health | Plays a role in nerve transmission and muscle function |
| Magnesium | Important for muscle and nerve functions | Helps in blood glucose control and blood pressure regulation |
| Sodium | Naturally present in small amounts | Important for fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle function |
| Zinc | Contributes to immune function | Important for protein synthesis and DNA synthesis |
| Selenium | Has antioxidant properties | Helps prevent cellular damage from free radicals |
| Vitamin C | Present in trace amounts | Involved in the synthesis of collagen, iron absorption, and maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth |
| Vitamin A, Niacin, Riboflavin | It might contain trace amounts | Important for energy production and overall cell function |
As previously mentioned, alkaloids are the major active compounds found in kratom, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine being the dominating ones. Of the two, mitragynine has the greater amount in kratom, about 60% or more of kratom’s overall alkaloid content. This active compound primarily contributes to a strain’s potential mood-boosting and energizing properties. On the other hand, the concentration of 7-hydroxymitragynine is much lower, which may only make up about 1-2% of the herb’s alkaloid content, and its potential effects lean towards more relaxing and sedating,
Over 40 other minor alkaloids may also exist in trace amounts, but studies surrounding them either alone or in combination with the other alkaloids are lacking.
Alkaloids don’t have any nutritional value and won’t influence your daily caloric intake because alkaloids are nitrogenous organic compounds that are not metabolized or absorbed for energy. Instead, they react with certain receptors, so your body elicits certain effects depending on the alkaloid and its mechanism of action.
Whether kratom affects metabolic rate is an emerging interest but is not yet totally understood. There is currently a single study showing that kratom does not negatively impact metabolism. However, this research is not enough to generalize that kratom does not have any effect on metabolic rate. Moreover, the results of the study were inconclusive, and this highlights the need for more extensive research surrounding kratom and metabolic rate.
No evidence supporting kratom and its connection with weight loss exists to date. However, there have been anecdotal reports from users claiming that kratom aided in their weight loss indirectly because it helped them feel fuller. Moreover, energizing strains may help you become more active, stimulating you to engage in more activity, which might potentially have indirect weight-shedding effects by causing you to be more active.
Studies on kratom and appetite are also lacking in scientific literature. Anecdotal reports suggest kratom works as an appetite suppressant; however, this should not considered reliable data. Some have suggested that this potential appetite suppressant effect might be due to the amounts of dietary fiber in kratom making them feel fuller for longer.
CONTENT DISCLAIMER: The content on this page is strictly for entertainment purposes only. The content below has not been medically reviewed and is not intended to offer advice for use or intended use. For more information about kratom and its potential dangers, please visit the fda.gov site.
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