As a health-conscious consumer, you may be wondering if Kencko smoothies are worth the hype. Kencko promotes their smoothie powders as an easy way to get more fruits and vegetables into your diet. But with so many smoothie products on the market, how do you know if Kencko is the right choice?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about Kencko smoothies. We’ll cover the pros and cons of their ingredients, nutrition information, health benefits, taste, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. By the end, you’ll have the key facts you need to decide if Kencko smoothie powders deserve a spot in your kitchen.
What is Kencko?
Kencko is a health food company that sells powdered smoothie mixes made from real fruits and vegetables. Their powders come in single-serve packs that you mix with water or milk to create smoothies.
Kencko was founded in 2018 by Tomás Froes and Ricardo Vice Santos. Their goal was to make nutrient-dense smoothies more convenient and accessible. Unlike most store-bought smoothies that use artificial ingredients, Kencko smoothies are made entirely from whole foods.
Some key facts about Kencko:
- Headquarters: New York, USA
- Products: Powdered smoothie mixes, protein powders, immunity boosters, lattes
- Smoothie ingredients: Fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, greens
- Smoothie types: Green, red, yellow, berry, protein
- Certifications: USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, B Corp
Kencko Smoothie Ingredients
Kencko smoothies stand out for their relatively short list of recognizable, whole food ingredients. Let’s take a look at what goes into their powders:
Fruits and Vegetables
The base of Kencko smoothies includes fruit and vegetable purees and juices. Common ingredients are banana, mango, apple, kale, spinach, beetroot, carrot, and acerola cherry.
Using pure, unsweetened fruits and vegetables provides fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and plant compounds like polyphenols. This sets Kencko apart from heavily processed smoothies with added sugars and artificial flavors.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds like almonds, cashews, chia, flax, and hemp add protein, healthy fats, and nutrients to Kencko smoothies. Omega-3 rich chia and flax support heart health, while almonds and cashews provide magnesium for bone strength.
Natural Sweeteners
To sweeten their smoothies, Kencko uses date paste, monk fruit, and a small amount of coconut sugar. These natural sweeteners add flavor and glucose energy without spiking blood sugar levels.
Superfoods
Kencko blends in superfood powders like wheatgrass, spirulina, moringa leaf, ashwagandha, and matcha green tea. These nutritional powerhouses provide antioxidants and compounds that reduce inflammation, support immunity, and boost energy levels.
Thickeners
To achieve a creamy smoothie texture, Kencko uses acacia fiber, guar gum, and xanthan gum. These soluble fibers thicken the smoothie when blended with water.
Prebiotics
Some Kencko smoothies contain prebiotic fibers like inulin and soluble tapioca fiber to support gut health. Prebiotics act as fuel for probiotic bacteria that live in the digestive system.
Minerals
To fill any nutritional gaps, Kencko adds in minerals like magnesium, potassium, zinc, and selenium. This ensures the smoothies provide a balanced nutrient profile.
Kencko Smoothie Nutrition Facts
Kencko smoothies provide an impressive nutritional punch in each single-serve packet. Let’s compare the nutrition facts of a typical Kencko green smoothie to an original green juice smoothie from a popular juice bar chain.
| Nutrition Facts | Kencko Green Smoothie (1 packet) | Juice Bar Green Smoothie (16 oz) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 110 | 260 |
| Total Fat | 2g | 1g |
| Sodium | 65mg | 180mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18g | 48g |
| Dietary Fiber | 7g | 1g |
| Sugars | 7g | 33g |
| Protein | 4g | 2g |
With only 110 calories and 7g of sugar per packet, Kencko smoothies are lower in calories and added sugars compared to traditional smoothie shop drinks. They also offer much more filling fiber, coming in at 25% of the daily recommended value.
Kencko smoothies are nutrient-dense, packing in high amounts vitamins C, A, E, potassium, folate, and manganese. The fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and superfoods provide a wide spectrum of micronutrients.
Kencko Smoothie Health Benefits
Drinking Kencko smoothies on a regular basis can provide several benefits for your health:
Weight Loss
Kencko smoothies are low in calories, sugars, and fat. Their high fiber and protein content helps you feel fuller for longer after drinking them. This can support weight loss and healthy weight maintenance.
Detoxification
The phytonutrients and antioxidants in Kencko smoothies may help rid your body of toxins. Ingredients like spinach and matcha are natural detoxifiers.
Blood Sugar Control
By using only natural, unprocessed ingredients, Kencko smoothies have a low glycemic index. This prevents blood sugar spikes compared to smoothies with added sugars.
Improved Digestion
If you have digestive issues, Kencko smoothies can help get your system back on track. The soluble and insoluble fiber promotes regularity and healthy gut bacteria.
Heart Health
The fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds in Kencko smoothies contain nutrients and antioxidants that support heart health. These include vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and healthy fats.
Immunity Boost
Nutrients like vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D found in Kencko smoothies can help strengthen your immune system and help fight illness.
Reduced Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is at the root of many diseases. The natural anti-inflammatory compounds in ingredients like spinach, flax, and chia can help lower inflammation.
Increased Energy
Need an energy boost? Nutrients like magnesium, iron, B vitamins, and electrolytes in Kencko smoothies can help fight fatigue and increase energy naturally.
Kencko Smoothie Taste Reviews
How do the Kencko smoothies actually taste? Here’s what reviewers are saying about the flavor:
Generally Positive Feedback
The majority of reviews mention that Kencko smoothies have a pleasant, refreshing taste. Given their whole food ingredients, many expect them to taste chalky or earthy but are pleasantly surprised by the fruity flavors.
Not Too Sweet
Those who dislike sugary sweet smoothies appreciate that Kencko smoothies aren’t overly sweet. The monk fruit and date paste offer just enough sweetness to counter any bitter notes.
Some Chalkiness
A few reviews mention that some Kencko smoothies lean towards a mildly chalky or earthy taste. This is likely from the superfoods, greens, nuts and seeds. Adding extra frozen fruit can help mask any chalkiness.
Kids Enjoy Them
Multiple parents mention their picky kids happily drink Kencko smoothies. The kid-friendly flavors like Berry Blast and Tropical Twist seem to be youth-approved.
Texture Needs Work
Some people note the smoothie texture is a bit too thin or watery. Adding nut butter, avocado, ice, or extra greens can help create a thicker, creamier texture.
Overall, if you enjoy lightly sweetened smoothies packed with fruits, veggies, and greens, Kencko smoothie powders will likely satisfy your taste buds.
Are Kencko Smoothies a Good Value?
Kencko smoothies come at a premium price point, which is expected for a health food product made with organic superfood ingredients. Let’s break down the costs:
- 20 pack box of single-serve smoothies: $60-$75
- Month-to-month subscription: $50/box
- Cost per smoothie: $3-$4
Compared to a $5 green smoothie at your local juice bar, Kencko is the more affordable option. Plus you get 20 smoothies per box, bringing the per smoothie cost down with bulk purchasing.
Factors making Kencko smoothies a good value buy:
- Organic ingredients
- No artificial additives
- Nutrient density
- Competitive price point
- Subscription discounts
- Cost efficient compared to shops
The bottom line is Kencko smoothies are priced appropriately given their quality ingredients and production standards. For all you get nutritionally, their smoothie powders are a good value.
How Sustainable is Kencko?
Kencko aims to create nutrition products that are both good for you and good for the planet. Here are some of their sustainability practices:
- B Corp certified – Third party validated social and environmental standards.
- Carbon neutral delivery
- Plastic-free packaging – Packets made of plant-based materials
- Focus on regenerative agriculture
- Partnerships with eco-conscious suppliers
- Commitment to transparency and ethics
While no company is perfect, Kencko is ahead of many competitors when it comes to sustainable business practices. Their status as a B Corp demonstrates a legitimate commitment to their social and environmental impact.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, Kencko smoothie powders live up to their claims as a convenient way to get more whole fruits and vegetables into your diet. Their smoothies are packed with organic superfood nutrients without any added junk.
While the taste may not suit everyone, most reviews suggest Kencko smoothies have a pleasant, fruit-forward flavor. They provide an affordable and sustainable way to reap the many health benefits of green smoothies.
Give Kencko smoothie powders a try if you want to hydrate, detox, and fill your body with raw, plant-based fuel. Your health is sure to reap the rewards.
