Did you know coffee is among the most famous beverages in the world?
What makes coffee unique is the presence of caffeine. What is surprising is that Kratom is a herb that has somewhat the same effects as coffee. Consequently, some people consume Kratom instead of coffee. However, little do we know whether Kratom is as reliable as coffee and if both are better alone or when combined.
Anyway, there is good news. We have your back. In the article below, we have presented all the information about coffee and Kratom, their differences, similarities, legality and so much more. Keep reading and give a boost to your knowledge.
What Is Kratom?
Kratom which is also known as Mitragyna Speciosa, is a herb that is basically grown in Southeast Asia. The leaves of this plant are known to do wonders. They offer therapeutic benefits and have been used for years. The maturity of these leaves determines their potency. The mature leaves are the most potent ones.
As the demand for Kratom has increased over the years, now it is available in several forms. You can find Kratom in the form of gummies, capsules, powder, extracts, tinctures and tablets. Although Kratom is legal in the United States, yet some states don’t allow its usage. In the U.S, you can find it in supplement stores.
There are many alkaloids present in Mitragyna Speciosa, but two active alkaloids play a vital part. 7-hydroxymitragynine and Mitragynine are these two active compounds. It is famous for Kratom that, in ancient times, laborers used to chew on its leaves at the start of the day. This turned out to be of great help for them to help them do their tasks without getting tired. This trick boosted their energy levels.
What Is Coffee?
You must have heard a lot about coffee, but did you know how beneficial it is? You heard it right. Coffee is helpful to reduce the chances of several diseases.
On the flip side, coffee also holds caffeine which causes trouble in sleep if you drink it late at night. Otherwise, it is a good choice to drink coffee in the morning to kick start your day. Furthermore, coffee has plenty of antioxidants, including Vitamins, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Manganese, Folate and Potassium.
All these nutrients keep you active and enhance your brain functioning and boost metabolism.
Similarities Between Kratom and Coffee
As both Kratom and Coffee come from trees, they are surely going to have some similarities and differences. Let’s first see the similarities between these two, one by one.
The Rubiaceae Family
Kratom and coffee both belong to the same family, named the Rubiaceae family. This plant has a great number of species and this fact makes it appear on the fourth number in the angiosperm class. What distinguishes these two is the presence of alkaloid content. Immensely grown in tropical areas, this plant family contains plants, shrubs, herbs and trees.
Warm Climate
Kratom and coffee both need a warm climate to cultivate. Considering the fact, both of these are grown in hot regions. Although coffee came from Africa, yet it is also grown in Asia now.
Exportation
Both of these are exported to other parts of the world. However, Kratom can only be exported to the states that allow its usage. On the day when Kratom is approved, it will be exported globally, just like coffee.
Backlash
Another similar thing about Kratom and Coffee is that even coffee faced a lot of criticism at the start. Europeans were the ones to criticize it but now, as time has passed, there are millions of Europeans who start their day with a cup of coffee.
Uses and Benefits Of Kratom and Coffee
Inevitably, coffee has its own peculiar benefits, while Kratom has its own. Both of these are unique in their own ways. Coffee’s main use that we all know about is that it helps to relieve physical and mental fatigue. Many people drink it in the morning to stay active. Whereas, about Kratom, the basic thing we know is that it provides energy and uplifts mood.
Differences Between Kratom and Coffee
It is inevitable that Kratom is far more potent than coffee. However, both of these have impacts on our health and our mood. Besides having similarities, there are also many differences between both. Let’s find out these differences.
Origin
Kratom comes from the Mitragyna Speciosa trees and is widely grown in Asian countries, including Malaysia and Thailand. Kratom’s leaves possess all the properties that make them unique. At the same time, coffee is considered a fruit and comes from the seeds of a tree. Coffee is cultivated in Africa.
Presence Of Caffeine
Although coffee has other alkaloids besides caffeine, but these alkaloids are not as effective as caffeine. On the other hand, Kratom has over 25 alkaloids but it does not have caffeine. This marks another difference.
Appearance
Kratom trees have leaves that people use. These leaves have veins inside them and due to the maturity of these leaves, we categorize them into different strains. Whereas coffee comes from a small tree and they are enclosed in the fruit. This fruit has to be ripened to take coffee seeds out.
Forms
Kratom is now formulated in different forms, including strains, capsules, powders and more. However, coffee still has limited forms and mostly, you can find it as a hot coffee or cold coffee. Recently, several cosmetic companies have also started to add it to their cosmetic range.
Utilization Duration
Kratom has been in use longer than coffee. It was really long ago when people from Asia used to use it for therapeutic reasons. Coffee gained recognition in the 1500s.
Usage
Both are used in completely different ways. Even our bodies react to both of them differently. Therefore, it is recommended to consult doctors before getting your hands on any of these.
Legality Of Kratom and Coffee
While coffee is legal to be used across the world, Kratom still needs approval from the FDA and AKA. The commonly used forms of caffeine are Coffee and Tea.
Just as Kratom, coffee was also once criticized. That was in the initial days of its introduction. On the other hand, there is a scarce amount of research done on Kratom and this is why it is facing problems to be legal globally. Only a few countries allow its usage. Some states in the U.S are among them.
How To Mix Kratom and Coffee?
It is seen that Kratom in the powder form is used to mix it with any drink. It can be mixed with a number of drinks, including coffee. There are many people who consume Kratom in the morning by mixing it in the coffee. However, make sure to consult your doctor first before consuming Kratom in any form or with any drink.
When you mix Kratom with Coffee, you can avoid experiencing the bitter taste of Kratom. Furthermore, you must take a small dose at the start.
Final Thoughts
Finally, now you know the answers to all your Kratom and Coffee-related questions, including whether they are better alone or when combined. Kratom is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, you can’t be certain about its safety. To stay safe, it is always recommended to consult with your doctor if you are thinking about making this herb a part of your routine.
Kratom and coffee have similar effects, but you need to be extra cautious when consuming Kratom. You must always purchase it from a trustworthy vendor, so you get your hands on premium Kratom, be it in any form.