Kratom & Coffee: What Do The Two Have in Common? |
Posted: February 19, 2022 |
Kratom and coffee are two popular drinks that people enjoy around the world. But while coffee is more known for its caffeine content, what do these two beverages have in common? And are there any benefits to drinking them together? In this blog post, we'll be taking a look at the similarities and differences between Kratom and coffee, as well as their respective benefits and effects. Stay tuned! Overview of KratomTechnically, Kratom is a leaf from the Mitragyna speciosa tree. It's native to Southeast Asia and has been used for centuries by indigenous people there for multiple reasons. The plant may be brewed into tea, but it's most often taken orally in Kratom capsule form or mixed with water or juice (such as orange). Oddly enough, Kratom is a relative of coffee beans, but it does not contain any caffeine or theobromine (a chemical found in chocolate). Instead, Kratom contains two main alkaloids: mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, which have opiate-like effects when consumed at high doses. Kratom also has stimulant properties similar to those found in coffee beans due to its rich supply of polyphenols called catechins. How is Kratom Prepared?Kratom is commonly prepared by boiling the leaves in water and then straining out any remaining solids. Apart from being processed into capsules, there are also different ways to take Kratom. The taste of Kratom varies depending on where it's grown and how fresh it is when harvested; however, many people find its earthy flavor quite pleasant! Kratom also may have some medicinal properties, but no studies have yet proven this claim, so we do not know if these benefits actually exist for humans. Overview of CoffeeCoffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages. Chances are, you've drunk coffee at least once in your life already. Coffee contains caffeine, which acts as a stimulant to help you stay alert and focused during your day-to-day activities — whether they're work-related or domestic chores around the house (or both!). Apart from that, coffee is also a rich source of antioxidants, which help fight off harmful toxins and byproducts that can damage your cells. This is one of the reasons coffee has been linked with lower risks of certain diseases. Kratom vs. Coffee: The SimilaritiesNow that we know a little more about Kratom and coffee, let's look at some of the similarities between these two drinks. Both Kratom and coffee are stimulantsBoth Kratom and coffee are known to have stimulating properties, meaning they have an energizing effect when consumed. Kratom has been known to provide users with a sense of alertness, while coffee is famous for the same reason! Kratom and coffee are also both good sources of antioxidants that can help reduce oxidative stress within your body. Kratom and coffee have similar effects on our brains: Kratom produces feelings of euphoria (often called 'kratomming') by binding itself to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. This gives the feeling of pain relief, or sedation, depending on how much you ingest. Meanwhile, caffeine from coffee increases dopamine levels in certain areas such as the prefrontal cortexes, where it can enhance moods like happiness or even sadness if too many receptors are blocked out by this chemical compound. Both Kratom and coffee can be brewedIf you're a tea drinker, you'll be glad to know that Kratom capsules or powder can also be ingested in tea form. This tea form is said to taste much like a more bitter green tea, so you might want to explore other ways of drinking it. Here are some Kratom drink recipes you could explore. Much like Kratom, coffee is also typically brewed, and there are many different ways to do it. From French press coffee makers to cold brew machines, the possibilities are endless! They have both been around for centuriesWe've known all about coffee since the fifteenth century, but Kratom has actually been around for even longer than that! To be precise, Kratom was first documented in the nineteenth century by Pieter Korthals, a Dutch botanist. Korthals was the one who gave Kratom its name, which comes from Krishnatheeram (a Kannada word meaning 'dark green' or 'black'). Korthals documented Kratom's effects on humans when ingested orally, which included feelings of euphoria and pain relief — similar to those produced by coffee! They have similar side effectsRegrettably, both Kratom and coffee can cause some unwanted side effects. For example, Kratom has been known to increase blood pressure levels by raising adrenaline production in your body, making you more prone to heart attacks. Coffee is also known to have the same effects if consumed excessively. Apart from increasing blood pressure levels, Kratom and coffee can also cause dehydration, making you feel tired or irritable. An important thing to note is that you should avoid taking Kratom if you suffer from any medical conditions that high-purity alkaloids might aggravate. Some of these conditions are diabetes mellitus type II or hypertension. The Differences between Kratom and Coffee
While Kratom and coffee may seem like they have a lot in common at first glance, there are actually quite a few differences between these two plants. Here are some of them: They come from different plants and have different preparationsKratom comes from tree leaves of Mitragyna speciosa, while coffee beans come from the Coffeea plant. Their preparation also differs, since Kratom leaves are most commonly dried and ground into a powder or paste for consumption, while coffee beans are roasted and then ground into a powder or brewed as a drink. They do not have the same phytochemical constitutionKratom contains over 25 alkaloids that have different effects on the body, while coffee only contains two main alkaloids: caffeine and trigonelline. These different alkaloids present in Kratom work synergistically to produce its many properties like pain relief and energy-boosting. Kratom contains the indole alkaloid mitragynine, which binds with opioid receptors in your brain for pain management, anti-anxiety effects, and euphoria. On the other hand, coffee's main active ingredient is caffeine, which increases dopamine production, thereby causing feelings of happiness/energy. They taste differentAs previously mentioned, Kratom’s taste profile is similar to green tea but with a more bitter aftertaste, while coffee has a much more complex taste that can be described as being nutty, chocolaty, or fruity. What tastes better, of course, depends on the person's preference. Kratom is more popular in certain parts of Southeast Asia, while coffee is more popular worldwide, especially in the United States. So, what's the verdict? Are Kratom and coffee similar or different? Well, both have their similarities and differences — so the choice is ultimately yours! Kratom vs. Coffee: Which is Better?So at the end, which is better to take? Kratom or coffee? If you're looking at which has more phytochemical benefits, Kratom is probably the better choice for you. Kratom is said to help with anxiety, stress, and pain relief, whereas coffee only has one benefit: dopamine production. That being said, medicinal benefits have not been proven scientifically for Kratom, making everything anecdotal, so keep this in mind. Final ThoughtsIn conclusion, Kratom and coffee can both have effects on your well-being. Kratom has more alkaloids, despite not having enough research to back up their effects on human health, Kratom has more alkaloids, while coffee only has caffeine and trigonelline. Kratom also tastes differently than coffee, with a more bitter aftertaste. So, it ultimately comes down to what you're looking for and what you prefer. If you want the most phytochemical benefits, then go with Kratom; if you want something that will give you an energy boost, then choose coffee!
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|