Ka’Chava Tribal Superfood is a meal replacement powder that aims to deliver on several health promises due to the inclusion of “superfoods” in its formulation.
According to the creators, the nutritional density of this whole-food replacement promotes general health in immunity, digestion, mental clarity, appearance, weight, energy, and muscle retention.
In this review, we’ll look at Ka’Chava’s ingredients and help you decide if this is a good meal replacement option.
We will cover Ka’Chava’s formulations, including plant-based proteins, super-greens, fiber, probiotics/prebiotics, adaptogen mix, and digestive enzymes. We’ll also look at Ka’Chava’s claim that their product provides at least 50% of the daily value for various vitamins and minerals.
About the Brand
Ka’Chava founder Simon Malone founded the brand while traveling in Thailand. After leaving the corporate world, he went into nature and concluded his health was too vital to risk.
Malone sought a solution to provide him with all of the nutrients he needed to be healthy while reducing food cravings.
About the Product
Ka’Chava, sometimes referred to as Ka’Chava, was designed to be a meal replacement product. The Tribal Superfood contains over 70 plant-based superfoods.
Diets of more than 2200 calories per day are considered low energy for athletes. And they should be monitored so that they don’t lose muscle mass or important nutrients. Athletes and active users require more calories than the 240 calories that each serving provides.
If you’re interested in losing weight, the general rule is to decrease your calorie intake by 500-1000 per week. According to Harvard Medical School, unless you’re under the strict supervision of a doctor, women should not consume less than 1200 calories per day. And men should not consume less than 1500 calories.
Ka’Chava delivers less than 10% of what most men and 15% of what most women need in terms of calories. Although they don’t recommend replacing three meals per day, if you did so, the maximum number of calories you’d have is 720 per day. And that’s well below the healthy guidelines established by Harvard.
Most whole-food-replacement products run at 500 calories per serving.
Does Ka’Chava Work?
As with all supplements, they work differently for everyone. And some may see more health benefits than others.
Users say they lost weight and feel they have more energy after taking the supplement for an extended period.
Pros
- Solid superfood ingredients list
- Balanced macronutrients (protein, carbs, and healthy fats)
- Full-meal substitute
- 60-day return period
Cons
- It is expensive compared to other meal replacement powders.
- It contains up to 6 grams of added sugar.
Ingredients
Ka’Chava components enhance hormone function, immunity, digestion, and exercise recovery. The vitamin and mineral mix comprises 26 vitamins and minerals in fully absorbable forms to promote a healthy immune system and neurological system,
It does not include artificial ingredients, dairy, soy, gluten, or preservatives. Ka’Chava is available in four flavors: vanilla, chocolate, coconut acai, chai, and matcha.
On the subscription plan, a bag with 15 servings costs $60, or $4 per serving. Purchasing bags one at a time costs $70, or $4.70 per serving.
One serving (2 scoops) has 240 calories, 7 grams of fat, 24 grams of total carbs, 6 grams of fiber, 5 grams of added sugar, and 25 grams of protein.
This review will include a summary of the supplement and a closer look at select elements from each blend.
Proprietary Blends
Plant Protein Blend – 27.75 grams
Protein helps you feel full longer and assists with muscle building. This blend includes organic sacha inchi protein, yellow pea protein, whole grain brown rice protein, amaranth, and quinoa.
Athletes trying to bulk up will appreciate 25 grams of protein per serving. Research suggests that just 20 grams of protein promotes muscle growth. So the protein in this mix is more than enough for the average user.
As the primary vegan protein, pea protein includes all nine essential amino acids. The addition of amino acids to your diet through multiple sources benefits muscle repair.
Adaptogen Blend
Adaptogens are plants that respond to stressors and aid in overall well-being by affecting cortisol levels in the body. They restore your body’s equilibrium by addressing both physical and emotional stresses.
Organic maca root, organic shiitake mushroom, organic maitake mushroom, organic reishi mushroom, organic ginger, and organic cordyceps mushroom are included.
The first component in the combination, raw maca powder, is difficult to digest uncooked. Typically, the gelatinized form of maca is used to improve digestion, but not in this case. Stomach upset may be a negative side effect, even for those not allergic to mushrooms.
Adaptogenic plants, like the mushrooms in this blend, should be ingested in isolation to assess their benefits. There are five different chemicals to boost cognitive performance, but it is difficult to determine which is effective.
Antioxidant / Super-Fruit Blend – 6.1 grams
This combination comprises adaptogenic herbs and nutrient-dense natural plant extracts to promote hormonal function and antioxidant activity. This super-fruit blend includes coconut flower nectar, acai berry, Camu Camu berry, blueberry, tart cherry, blackberry, strawberry, maqui berry, and raspberry.
This proprietary blend doesn’t give exact amounts of each ingredient. However, coconut nectar, which contains added sugar, is the first ingredient, so we can assume it has the highest concentration.
Companies frequently add modest quantities of fruit components to boost the number of superfoods they claim the product contains. These substances’ doses may be so minimal that they have little bearing or detectable effects.
Super-Greens / Vegetable Blend – 500 milligrams
Among these ingredients are organic beetroot, chlorella, moringa, kale, broccoli, green tea, parsley leaf, celery, cauliflower, spinach, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, green pepper, garlic, carrot, cucumber, cabbage, green onion, and tomato.
Even without knowing the actual composition of how many milligrams of each vegetable is contained, the cumulative dosage of 500 milligrams is relatively minimal in terms of this product’s entire content.
Digestive Enzyme Blend – 50 milligrams
Digestive enzymes assist with nutrient absorption and inflammatory responses. The Ka’Chava blend includes amylase, protease, cellulase, lactase, and lipase.
Because the digestive enzymes are in such low concentrations, there should be no unwanted side effects.
Probiotics / Prebiotic Blend – 50 milligrams
Probiotics help with intestinal health, nutritional absorption, and immune system strength. This blend includes inulin, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus Acidophilus.
Probiotics are generally shown on Supplement Facts labels by CFU or colony-forming units. On Ka’Chava’s label, they’re listed in milligrams.
Furthermore, only the probiotic species are provided, not the strain. Varied strains of probiotics within the same species may have different health impacts, but it’s impossible to differentiate with this vague listing.
Omega EFA / Fiber Blend – 9.62 grams
The USDA advises that Americans consume at least 25 grams of fiber each day. Increasing your fiber intake has been related to increased weight loss. It makes you feel full while only contributing a few calories.
Chia seeds, flax seeds, organic whole grain oats, and organic acacia gum are all included in the Ka’Chava blend.
Each serving of powder has 9 grams of fiber, which is significant for 240 calories total.
Vitamin and Mineral Blend
Ka’Chava has more than half of the daily value (DV) of various vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B1, molybdenum, chromium, and selenium. Other vitamins include vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.
Organic, whole foods provide some of the nutrients in Ka’Chava. However, many of these vitamins are derived from synthetic sources.
While the list of vitamins is lengthy and impressive, taking some nutrients, particularly fat-soluble ones like vitamin A or minerals like copper, may result in dangerous overdoses.
A safer strategy is to take vitamins only when a blood test reveals a deficiency. There are no proven benefits to taking vitamin and mineral combinations if you are not deficient.
Other Ingredients
Other ingredients vary depending on the flavor of the product. They include cocoa, coconut milk, soluble vegetable fiber, natural vanilla flavors, xanthan gum, lo han fruit extract, guar gum, and cinnamon.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamin B
B vitamins are water-soluble vitamins required for energy generation, neurotransmitter synthesis, blood cell function, and cellular health. These vitamin deficiencies can cause brain damage, cognitive impairment, and anemia.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that functions as an antioxidant in the body. Ka’Chava contains a type of vitamin E found in Ka’Chava that has been shown to suppress inflammatory cytokine production and may protect against cancer and tumor growth.
Chlorella
This freshwater alga is high in nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber. Organic chlorella regulates blood sugar, increases blood lipids, guards against oxidative stress, and improves liver function.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a strain of bacteria designed to survive in the gastrointestinal tract. It improves immunological response, decreases cholesterol, improves gut health, and prevents infection.
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
Lactobacillus is a type of bacteria that produces the enzyme lactase. L. rhamnosus acts as a probiotic aid in gut health and prevents Candida albicans from colonizing your intestinal walls. Supplementing with L. rhamnosus effectively kills bad bacteria and prevents UTIs.
Health Benefits
After reviewing the proprietary blends with vitamins and minerals packed into each, Ka’Chava’s benefits appear to be many.
Ka’Chava is vegetarian, vegan, paleo-friendly, keto-friendly, and low carb. It does not contain stevia leaf as a natural sweetener, so those who dislike the taste of stevia should be aware of this.
Allergy sufferers will be relieved to learn that Ka’Chava is also suitable for their diet. It is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, with no preservatives, artificial colors, or flavors. Those with tree-nut allergies should be aware that it contains coconut.
Let’s review the health benefits of Ka’Chava.
Recovery Aid
Excessive oxidative stress during exercise results in the formation of free radicals. These free radicals are responsible for muscle damage, tiredness, and poor performance.
Inflammation can be reduced to facilitate exercise recovery. Through its nutrient-dense powders, Ka’Chava has compounds that reduce tissue inflammation, fight oxidative stress, and supply minerals to maintain maximum performance.
Immunity Booster
Ka’Chava contains seven nutrients that decrease inflammation, limit inflammatory cytokine overproduction, and support normal immunological function. Zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, selenium, probiotics, vitamin A, and B-complex vitamins support normal immunological function.
Energy Enhancer
Ka’Chava aids efficient energy production and storage. Ka’Chava’s vitamins and minerals are required for optimum metabolism and energy generation. Other adaptogenic herbs and substances may aid with energy and nutrition intake.
Adaptogens are plants that respond to stressors and aid in overall well-being by affecting cortisol levels in the body. They restore your body’s equilibrium by addressing both physical and emotional stresses.
Gut Health Support
Many of the components in Ka’Chava help with digestion. This supplement contains probiotics and prebiotics, digestive enzymes, and substances that lower gut inflammation.
Nervous System Support
Ka’Chava benefits the nervous system by supplying nutrients for neurotransmitters, adaptogens to improve cognitive function, and antioxidants to prevent inflammation.
Weight Loss
Ka’Chava supports weight loss by including 25 grams of protein. The combination of 9 grams of fiber and probiotics keeps you feeling full while keeping your digestive system healthy. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids help to regulate metabolism while decreasing hunger.
Appearance
This blend includes seven nutrients to support collagen production, hair growth and strong nails, skin hydration, and inflammation reduction.
Side Effects
One serving (two scoops) has 240 calories, 7 grams of fat, 24 grams of total carbs, 6 grams of fiber, 5 grams of added sugar, and 25 grams of protein. They recommend mixing Ka’Chava with cold water for maximum absorption.
Athletes and others who want to take advantage of the adaptogenic supplement’s stress reduction can take up to two doses every day. But at this dosage, some side effects may be present as gastrointestinal symptoms.
Adverse side effects include:
- Nausea
- Bloating
- Diarrhea
Some users may develop an upset stomach as part of the detoxification process. You can ease this part of the process by reducing your dosage. They do not recommend you use this product as your only means of nutrition.
Anyone can use Ka’Chava as a supplement. However, pregnant women and children are advised not to replace any meals with Ka’Chava.
You’ll want to check the contents to ensure you have no known sensitivities to any ingredients listed.
And it’s always a good idea to contact your healthcare provider to go over any health conditions you may have and the side effects Ka’Chava, or any changes to your diet and lifestyle may cause.
Review: What Do Real Users Say?
Many reviews on the Ka’Chava Amazon store page note the high price point. But they agree that the ingredient list makes up for the price and are generally happy with their purchase. Here are a few customer reviews to keep in mind if you’re looking to make a purchase.
“I have dropped 45lbs in 5 months by using this product as a meal replacement and staying within my calorie goal. I am not saying it is a miracle product for weight loss, I am saying that it has helped me with my weight loss by providing the right nutrition and lowering calories versus eating breakfast on the road during this COVID-19.” –Glockcop, Amazon customer
“I have read a few of the negative reviews, and while I understand that we all have different tastes, I do not find these to apply to me. Does this product taste like many other shakes? No cardboard. No. Disgusting. No. On the expensive side, Yes. But you are paying for quality.” – Mark, Amazon customer
Where to Buy
Ka’Chava is available through the official website as a one-time purchase or monthly subscription. If you subscribe for a monthly delivery, they cut the price by $10.
To explore if Ka’Chava is right for you, we recommend starting with a one-time purchase. You can always change your membership to a monthly subscription if you like it.
They provide a 60-day money-back guarantee if you are unhappy with your results. And you can pause or cancel your membership whenever you need to.
Ka’Chava costs $69.95 per bag for a single purchase ($4.67/serving) or $59.95 with a monthly subscription ($4/serving) on their website.
Ka’Chava costs $77.95 per bag on Amazon.
Alternatives to Ka’Chava
Ka’Chava has a specific blend of ingredients to aid recovery, immunity, and overall health. However, there are meal replacement products on the market making similar claims. They have lower price points, but are they worth it?
Organifi Green Juice
Organifi Green Juice boosts immune function and assists in antioxidant and free radical detoxification.
The green product encourages weight loss. Some users may like that it comes ready-to-mix in travel packs.
The presence of coconut may put some customers off if they have tree-nut allergies. Other ingredients, such as spirulina, have been linked to autoimmune flare-ups, interactions with blood-glucose-lowering drugs, and gastrointestinal issues.
Those who suffer from autoimmune diseases like leaky gut may wish to avoid Organifi Green Juice.
Beyond Greens
Beyond Greens is a green drink supplement that promotes detoxification, vitality, immune system health, and gastrointestinal health.
Compared to Organifi Green Juice and Ka’Chava, Beyond Green is the most affordable. It may aid in obtaining more fiber and antioxidants, but a multivitamin is also required.
Because the active component dose is so low, you may not notice any substantial improvements in your health. Those who are caffeine sensitive should avoid the matcha in Beyond Greens.
This green product contains four different types of mushrooms. Individuals who are allergic to mushrooms should avoid them as well.
Final Thoughts
Ka’Chava has gotten thousands of positive reviews from users who have tried and liked the product. It contains high-quality components, but without quantifying how much of any particular item is included in the mix, it’s difficult to know if the ingredients back up their health claims.
It costs more than other plant-based powders. However, many feel the number of ingredients in Ka’Chava justifies the price.
So, is Ka’Chava worth it? You can decide for yourself. Before committing to a membership, try Ka’Chava for yourself with a one-month supply. If you commit to a subscription and don’t think it lives up to the hype, you have 60 days to refund it.
We recommend that you consult with your doctor before starting any new supplements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Ka’Chava taste like?
Some users like the taste of the original chocolate or vanilla. They’ve expanded their offerings to include several other flavors: coconut, acai, chai, and matcha.
Some reviews find the consistency a bit chalky. Many users find the drink more palatable by adding things to their mixes, like peanut butter or fruit.
Why should I take Ka’Chava?
Ka’Chava aids with exercise recovery, digestion, a robust immune system, efficient energy generation and storage, the neurological system, liver function, and hormone function.
Is Ka’Chava safe?
Ka’Chava is safe to consume. The mix is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. Ka’Chava is suitable for many diets. It is gluten-free, dairy-free, corn-free, egg-free, peanut-free, animal-free, lactose-free, sucrose-free, and dextrose-free.
How long until I feel the effects of using Ka’Chava?
People usually feel improvements in their overall well-being within a few weeks, but it may take up to a month to see noticeable improvements.
SOURCES:
https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a19522523/should-you-buy-pea-protein/
https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a19545329/branched-chain-amino-acids/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8303140/
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/calorie-counting-made-easy