appearance

Hair and nails are made up of the structural protein keratin, while your skin is composed of the structural proteins collagen and elastin—and adequate intake of dietary protein provides the necessary building blocks for each of these. In fact, low protein intake has consistently been linked to hair loss², and accelerated skin aging and wrinkles³. One serving of Ka’Chava provides a whopping 25 grams of protein from plant-based sources such as sacha inchi, pea protein, brown rice protein, amaranth, and quinoa.

Zinc is an essential mineral with a myriad of roles in the body, including maintaining the health of your skin and hair. Zinc is highly concentrated in the skin⁴, and inadequate zinc levels have been associated with skin rashes, delayed wound healing, alopecia (patchy baldness), and brittle hair^5,6. Zinc is predominantly found in animal-based foods, and a few plant foods like cashews, but Ka’Chava packs 68% of your daily zinc needs.

Healthy fats can nourish the skin from the inside out, combating dryness and boosting your glow factor—and omega 3s, known for their anti-inflammatory powers, are some of the very best. Research shows that consumption of omega-3s can effectively reduce the skin inflammation that results from UV-sunlight exposure⁷. Deficiencies in omega-3s have also been linked to dry skin⁸. Ka’Chava contains omega-3 fatty acids from chia seeds and flaxseeds.

Vitamin A and its precursors such as beta-carotene function as antioxidants, helping combat free radical damage and redness caused by sun exposure⁹. (Although, it still shouldn’t replace your sunscreen!). Ingredients in Ka’Chava such as carrots, kale, spinach, brussels sprouts, and cabbage are high in beta-carotene, and one serving of Ka’Chava contains 83% of your daily vitamin A needs.

Vitamin E is the most prevalent fat-soluble vitamin in the skin and a key part of the skin’s antioxidant defenses¹⁰. Research suggests adequate vitamin E consumption helps ease skin inflammation, protect against free radical damage from UV-sunlight¹¹, and maintain healthy skin barrier function, which helps lock in moisture¹². Ingredients in Ka’Chava such as flaxseeds and sacha inchi are high in vitamin E, and one serving of Ka’Chava contains 67% of your daily vitamin E needs. Fun fact: Vitamin E works even better when paired with vitamin C¹³.

Vitamin C is the hottest trend in topical skincare, but it works its magic from the inside out, too. One of its claims to beauty-boosting fame: It stimulates the production of collagen¹⁴, a structural protein that helps your skin maintain its supple, bouncy, youthful texture and appearance. Collagen breakdown can be triggered by a high sugar diet and may accelerate the development of wrinkles¹⁵. Vitamin C also helps protect skin against the sun’s harmful UV rays¹⁶. Ingredients in Ka’Chava such as acai berry, blackberries, spinach, and broccoli are high in vitamin C, and one serving of Ka’Chava contains 33% of your daily vitamin C needs.

Deficiencies in certain B-complex vitamins—in particular, biotin (B7) and pantothenic acid (B5)—have been associated with hair loss¹⁷, but replenishing depleted nutrient stores can reverse this effect¹⁸. Research suggests biotin supplementation may also be beneficial for treating brittle fingernails when your levels are low¹⁹. Fortunately, it’s easy to get B vitamins in your diet (provided you’re not cutting out major food groups), as they’re found in a variety of fruits and veggies. Ka’Chava contains 50% of your daily needs for all B-complex vitamins.