Kachava Review
You’ve likely heard the buzz around Ka’Chava, a popular meal replacement drink that’s been making waves in the health and wellness community.
Marketed as a superfood blend, it promises to provide an array of nutrients while satisfying your hunger and energizing you throughout the day.
But is Ka’Chava truly deserving of its superfood status, or is it just another overhyped product?
In this Kachava review, I’ll put on my discerning clinical and academician lens and dive deep into the ingredients and benefits of this meal replacement shake to give you an unbiased look at what it offers.
We will analyze Ka’Chava’s protein sources, fiber content, fruit and vegetable components, adaptogen ingredients, gut health components, and customer feedback to determine whether it lives up to its claims.
Additionally, we’ll explore potential drawbacks like its high price tag, taste concerns, and additive ingredients.
By the end of this review, you’ll have all the information you need to decide if Ka’Chava is worth incorporating into your diet or if there are better alternatives for achieving optimal nutrition on the go.
So, based on my own Kachava review, I DO NOT recommend the Ka’Chava meal replacement protein shake due to its exorbitantly high cost, questionable additives, unpalatable consistency, unnecessary multivitamins and minerals, and undesirable flavor.
Ok, read on to find out my detailed thoughts on this product…
Ka’chava Ingredients
Protein Ingredient Analysis
Ka’Chava features a unique protein powder blend consisting of:
- Yellow pea protein.
- Organic whole grain brown rice protein.
- Sacha inchi protein.
- Organic Amaranth.
- Organic Quinoa.
This combination provides an impressive balance of essential amino acids and is considered a complete vegan protein source at a healthy 25 gm dose!
In an article published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, the authors state that muscle protein synthesis is maximized at a target intake of 0.4 g per kg of body weight per meal, across meals spread out during the day, to target a minimum of 1.6 g per kg of body weight per day.
So, a person weighing 80 kg (176 pounds) can easily reach their target protein intake if they add a clean protein source to the shake, such as almond butter.
Pea protein is known for being easily digestible and hypoallergenic while offering high bioavailability.
In addition, it is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids. However, it is low in the amino acid methionine.
Adding other diverse plant-based protein sources in this ka chava meal balances this small deficit.
Brown rice protein adds to the overall nutritional profile by providing additional essential amino acids that some plant-based proteins may lack.
Sacha inchi is a powerful superfood touted for its omega-3 fatty acid content and ability to support cardiovascular health.
Like flaxseed oil, it is rich in alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid.
Lastly, amaranth contributes to this potent vegan-friendly mix with high-quality proteins that are easy for your body to absorb and utilize.
Overall, Ka’Chava’s well-rounded approach to their vegan-based protein blend ensures you receive adequate nutrition from your daily meal replacement shake.
This is a good blend – I approve of this nutrient portion in Ka’chava.
Fiber Ingredient Analysis
In this section, we’ll review the fiber ingredients in Ka’Chava, so you can better understand their potential benefits and drawbacks.
It’s important to analyze the fiber content in this meal replacement shake since it plays a crucial role in promoting digestive health and helping you lose weight, as verified by the POUNDS Lost Study, published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2019.
Additionally, numerous studies confirm that there is an inverse relationship between colon cancer and fiber intake – meaning, the more fiber you consume, the lower your risk of colon cancer.
Ka’Chava claims to contain 11 grams of dietary fiber per serving from whole food ingredients like organic acacia gum, organic psyllium husk powder, and organic chia seeds.
- Organic Acacia Gum: This natural ingredient is derived from the acacia tree sap and is rich in soluble fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol levels, and improve gut health.
- Organic Psyllium Husk Powder: A well-known source of soluble and insoluble fibers that can help relieve constipation, control appetite, and regulate blood sugar.
- Organic Chia Seeds: These tiny seeds are packed with antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber that help support digestion while providing essential nutrients for overall health.
- Organic Pure Whole Grain Oat: Since the oat is whole and not cut or rolled, it is not exposed to the elements and will not turn rancid. It is also loaded with protein, calcium, protein, and of course, fiber!
Despite these beneficial whole food ingredients used as sources of fiber in Ka’Chava’s formula, my review still doesn’t recommend it as an ultimate superfood meal replacement shake due to its high price point and inclusion of additive ingredients such as digestive enzymes, vitamins and minerals plus natural flavors that may not be necessary or desirable for some individuals.
Fruits & Vegetable Analysis
Fruits
Now, let’s explore the fruits and vegetables in Ka’Chava to better understand their potential benefits and how they contribute to this meal replacement shake.
Ka’Chava claims to include a variety of superfoods in its formula, focusing on providing essential nutrients through whole food ingredients.
In their fruits analysis for this meal replacement powder, Ka’Chava includes ingredients such as:
- Organic Coconut Flower Nectar.
- Acai Berry.
- Organic Maqui Berry.
- Camu-Camu Berry.
- Organic Strawberry.
- Organic Tart Cherry.
- Organic Blackberry.
- Organic Blueberry.
- Organic Rasberry.
Vegetables
In their vegetable analysis, the following organic ingredients are listed:
- Beet
- Carrot
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Tomato
- Kale
- Parsely
- Brussel Sprouts
- Green Pepper
- Cucumber
- Celery
- Garlic
- Green Onion
- Cauliflower
- Asparagus
- Chlorella
These ingredients do provide some vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for overall health; however, it’s important to consider the quantity of these components in relation to the serving size.
In many kachava reviews found online, customers have questioned whether or not a significant amount of these fruits and vegetables are present in each shake.
The company does not disclose the specifics regarding the amount of each ingredient within the product – a common tactic many supplement companies use to mask the true makeup of their product blend. The term they use to describe this practice is called “proprietary blend.”
Whenever I see this term on any product’s product label, a little red flag goes up for me.
I also talk about this in my Amberen Menopause review.
Ladies, please read my article if you do not want to waste your money on a hyped-up product!
Therefore it’s difficult to determine if consuming one serving of Ka’Chava would be equivalent to eating an actual serving of fruits or vegetables.
Additionally, since some customers report a poor taste likely due to added natural flavors mentioned earlier in my review process – which may overpower any subtle flavors from these healthy ingredients – it might be more enjoyable and cost-effective for you to consume your daily servings of fruits and vegetables separately rather than relying solely on this meal replacement shake as your source of nutrients from these food groups.
So, do I approve of this fruit and vegetable blend? No, I don’t…as I stated above, buying and consuming organic whole fruits and vegetables may be more practical and less expensive.
I just don’t think that the “proprietary blend” is worth the cost.
Adaptogens Ingredient Breakdown
You might be curious about the adaptogens in Ka’Chava and how they contribute to this meal replacement shake, so let’s break down their ingredients and potential benefits.
Adaptogens are natural substances that help the body adapt to stress, support normal metabolic processes, and maintain a state of balance.
The product label lists the following ingredients:
- Organic Maca Root: This Peruvian root is known for its energy-boosting properties and hormone-balancing effects. Some studies suggest it can improve mood, reduce anxiety, increase endurance during exercise, and enhance sexual function.
- Organic Reishi Mushroom: Also known as Ganoderma lucidum or Lingzhi mushroom, reishi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries due to its immune-boosting properties. Recent research indicates that it may help fight inflammation, lower blood pressure levels, protect against liver damage, and promote overall well-being.
- Organic Shiitake Mushroom: This Japanese mushroom is rich in beta-glucans and is purported to help boost the immune system and protect against sell damage.
- Organic Maitake Mushroom: Like Shiitake mushrooms, this variant supports the immune system, helps control blood sugar, promotes efficient digestion by maintaining gut flora.
While these adaptogenic ingredients do provide potential health benefits that support Ka’Chava’s claim as a superfood option among meal replacement shakes, it’s essential to note that my kachava review found several additive ingredients within Ka’Chava which might undermine its overall effectiveness as a true superfood alternative when compared with other products on the market without such additives.
Although Ka’Chava contains an impressive list of whole food ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, protein sources like pea protein isolate, and brown rice protein concentrate – it’s important not to overlook these additional factors when deciding based on kachava ingredients alone!
Gut Health Components
Let’s dive into the gut health components of Ka’Chava to see how they may support digestion and overall wellness.
Kachava contains a blend of digestive enzymes and prebiotics/probiotics, which are intended to aid in breaking down food and promoting a healthy balance of gut bacteria.
Digestive enzymes are necessary for the proper absorption of nutrients from the foods we eat, while probiotics are live bacteria that can help maintain a healthy gut microbiome.
But, as I looked deeper into this purportedly powerful blend, two red flags went up for me.
First red flag
As we know, probiotic blends are always listed by colony-forming units (CFU) on product nutrition labels, never in mg. So, this metric is meaningless, because we don’t know what dose we are specifically getting in each serving.
The globally accepted dosing standard for Probiotics is by the CFU level of the live culture. The International Probiotics Association describes this concept in great detail.
This mislabeling for Kachava is a non-starter for me.
Second red flag
The other concern I have about Kachava is that the product label does not state the probiotic strain, but rather, the species.
I am not sure what this means, or more importantly, why this blend is even included in a meal replacement shake.
If you do not have any digestive issues, there is nothing to fix, and you don’t need a probiotic blend!
So, I think this blend is unnecessary, and I disapprove.
Vitamins and Minerals Analysis
Moving on from the gut health components, let’s dive into the vitamins and minerals analysis in this Ka’Chava review.
As you know, a well-balanced meal replacement should provide adequate essential vitamins and minerals to support your overall health.
My analysis found that Ka’Chava includes a wide range of vitamins and minerals.
In my opinion, this is completely unnecessary, as the whole food components of this product provide the necessary nutrition already.
A bigger concern is that you can actually take too much of certain vitamins, especially the lipid-soluble ones like Vitamins A, D, E, and K, causing toxicity or hypervitaminosis.
Think I am overhyping? This commonly-used brand was recalled in 2022 due to users experiencing chronic vitamin overdose from consuming the shake.
In my own clinical experience, I have seen many patients who presented with vitamin toxicity from taking OTC vitamins.
Taking too many of these vitamins can also interact with prescription medications.
For example, taking too much Vitamin E can increase the risk of bleeding, especially if you are taking blood thinners or anticoagulants.
My biggest concern with Kachava is the high dose of Vitamin A, as seen on the label above. There are many cases of people overdosing on Vitamin A in the medical literature.
Additionally, older adults may be at a higher risk of death from taking multivitamins and minerals! Not many people know this, including healthcare providers.
Those of us in the Geriatrics field know this well and constantly tell our patients to stop taking these supplements when they come in for their medical assessments.
The Iowa Women’s Health Study followed approximately 39,000 women over a 10-year period and found that dietary vitamin and mineral supplement use was associated with an increased risk for death in these women.
So, I know I’m repeating this, but it is important to say it again – multivitamins and minerals are unnecessary if you eat a healthy diet!
However, it is worth noting that some of these nutrients are added as synthetic rather than derived from whole food sources.
While synthetic vitamins and minerals can still provide nutritional benefits, they may not be absorbed as effectively by your body compared to their natural counterparts derived from whole foods.
Additionally, relying solely on Ka’Chava for all your nutrient needs might not be ideal because it includes additives like digestive enzymes and natural flavors.
Although Ka’Chava contains various essential nutrients in its formula, it falls short of being a true ‘superfood’ due to the presence of synthetic ingredients and additives.
Personal Taste Experience
I knew I needed to do a true taste test with this product if I was going to write a review. So, I ordered the chocolate flavor and mixed it up.
As you may have read from other customer reviews, opinions on the flavor of Ka’Chava can be quite polarizing.
Some people find it enjoyable and easy to drink, while others struggle with its taste profile.
During my personal taste experience with Ka’Chava, I found that the texture was thick, which can appeal to some users – I personally hated it! It was too much texture for me, and I had to force myself to gulp it down.
However, my biggest concern is that I noticed an artificial aftertaste – it had a weird, artificial sweetener taste, most likely from the lo han fruit extract. This might be off-putting to those who prefer natural flavors in their meal replacement shakes.
To combat the taste issue, I added some berries, a banana, and a ripe mango to the blend. This helped somewhat improve the taste, but it didn’t meet my expectations, given its high price point and health claims.
So, my verdict – Kachava is not worth it – Overall, there are alternative products on the market that offer similar nutritional benefits at a lower cost and taste better than Ka’Chava for many consumers.
Amazon Reviews
At first glance, reviews for Kachava on Amazon suggest many people have had favorable experiences with this product.
But…not so fast! I typed in the product link into the Fakespot Analyzer, and the result returned a “D” rating, suggesting a high degree of suspect or fake reviews! See the image below, or click on the highlighted link to Fakespot and see for yourself.