Soluble chicory: beneficial properties and contraindications, choice. Gallbladder treatment

Used as a coffee substitute, chicory brings many benefits to the body. It invigorates and at the same time is indicated for insomnia, helps cleanse the liver and the outflow of bile. Chicory dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Overdose and improper use can be harmful to health.

What are the benefits of chicory?

For the preparation of medicines, it is better to use common chicory (cychorium intibus). The beneficial and medicinal properties of cultivated varieties (witloof, endive and others) are somewhat reduced, although they are tasty and contain a lot of vitamin C.

The plant is useful because it stimulates metabolic processes and heart activity, slows down the rhythm of its contractions and increases the amplitude, lowers blood pressure due to its vasodilating effect, and normalizes blood pressure levels.

Drinking drinks from a healthy plant improves the functioning of the pancreas and helps increase the concentration in the blood. And the property of lowering glucose levels contributes to weight loss, prevention and treatment of sugar.

Drinks made from chicory leaves and roots improve liver function, increase blood flow and metabolism in it, and have a choleretic, diuretic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effect.

Calming properties are used in cases of insomnia, neuroses and stress. Chicory improves mood, gives strength and vigor, and helps cope with loss of strength.

The plant has a beneficial effect on the thyroid gland, has a thyreostatic effect, and helps cope with thyrotoxicosis.

Chicory is useful both when used independently and in combination with other medicinal plants, enhancing their therapeutic effect.

Traditional medicine uses the roots of the plant; decoctions and infusions are prepared from its powder. For medicinal purposes, fresh juice is taken, and salads are prepared from the leaves. Fresh or dried stems, flowers, and leaves bring health benefits.

Composition of chicory

The beneficial properties of chicory are due to the biologically active substances it contains:

• The root contains a lot of inulin (up to 60% of dry weight), fructose, tannins and resinous substances.
• The leaves are rich in vitamin B4 (choline), which is necessary for the normal functioning of the liver, kidneys and brain.

Chicory contains carotene, vitamin C, vitamins B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (nicotinic acid), B5 (pantothenic acid), B9 ().

The plant contains sodium, potassium, manganese, phosphorus.

Inulin, which is part of chicory, is useful not only for those suffering from diabetes. It strengthens, stimulates the growth of bone tissue, which prevents the development of skeletal diseases, is water-soluble, removes harmful substances from the body, and improves general condition.

Eating chicory improves digestion, it is beneficial to the intestinal microflora, stimulates an increase in the number of bifidobacteria, and normalizes cholesterol metabolism. It is used for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and in the treatment of hepatitis B and C.

Chicory coffee drink

In industrial production, cleanly washed roots are heated in special drums, where they are fried. Under the influence, the inulin content is reduced by almost half, and glucose and fructose are formed - simple sugars that give the drink a sweetish taste. The roots change color, become brown, brittle and fragrant.

An extract is obtained from the roasted roots under the influence of hot water, and the finished powder is dried. All that remains is to brew the instant chicory with boiling water - the coffee is ready.

At home, the roots are dried and the temperature in the oven is gradually raised from the initial +50C to +180C. Readiness is indicated by a golden brown color and a characteristic aroma. After cooling, the roots are ground in a coffee grinder and stored in an airtight container in a dark place.

Various recipes are used to prepare a coffee drink:

• Place the powder in a cup, brew with boiling water at the rate of 1 tsp. chicory per glass, leave.
• Pour the powder with cold water, bring to a boil in a cezve over low heat until a characteristic cap appears. As soon as the cap begins to “breathe,” let the coffee cool for 5 minutes, then bring it back to a boil over high heat. Strain the finished drink, add sugar to taste.

If at first the taste seems unusual, you can add a little ground coffee.

Chicory coffee regulates the activity of digestion and intestines, helps cope with constipation, which is especially important for.

To reduce the harmful effects of traditional coffee, it is useful to add chicory powder to it.

Popular recipes with chicory

Improving memory and attention. For high intellectual stress, it is useful to take a glass of chicory root decoction with milk and 1 tsp every day. honey, eat an apple. The product also helps to cope with irritability.

Beneficial properties of chicory for depression and loss of strength

• Brew 5g of crushed root or soluble chicory with 1/4 cup of boiling water, bring to a boil. Leave for 2 days in a sealed container, strain, add boiled water to 1/4 cup.

Instill 2 drops into each nostril up to 5 times a day, the course of treatment is two weeks.

Gargling.

• Brew 20g of chicory roots with a glass of boiling water, leave, strain. Add the juice obtained from a medium-sized head or a tablespoon of eucalyptus leaves.

Gargle while warm every half hour. Every hour, take 1 tbsp orally. Ingredients: add the juice of one clove of garlic to 1/4 cup of chicory infusion.

• Brew 2 tbsp. chicory roots with a glass of boiling water, simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, strain, add water to a volume of 250 ml.

Take 1/3 cup warm 15 minutes before meals.

Liver diseases.

• Wash and chop the plant (root, leaves, stem), brew 2 tbsp. 500 ml of boiling water, simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, let cool, strain. Add 2 tbsp. honey and 1 tsp. fruit vinegar.

Take half a glass 2-3 times a day half an hour before meals.

• Grate the root on a fine grater to obtain juice.

Take 1 tsp. before meals.

Chicory is useful for the formation of bile, helps to cope with congestion in the liver and its alcohol damage.

• Brew 2 tbsp. crushed roots 1 liter of boiling water, simmer in an enamel bowl over low heat for 20 minutes, leave for half an hour, strain.

Take half a glass between meals. Treat for three or more months.

Choleretic.

• Pour 1 tsp. crushed roots with a glass of cold water, bring to a boil, leave for half an hour in a sealed container, strain.

Take 1/2 cup half an hour before meals.

Inflammation of the bile ducts (cholangitis).

• Brew 1 tsp. chicory roots with a glass of boiling water, simmer for half an hour in a water bath, let cool, strain.

Take 1/4 cup with honey half an hour before meals.

Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).

• Brew 6g of chicory roots, 5g of juniper fruits, 4g of shepherd's purse herb in 300ml of boiling water, simmer over low heat for 3 minutes, leave, strain.

Take 100 ml half an hour before meals for 14 days.

• Mix 2 parts each of chicory horses and leaves, 1 part each of valerian roots, herbs, hop cones. Brew 1 tsp. mixture with a glass of boiling water, leave, strain.

Take 100 ml before breakfast and dinner.

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

In the chronic form of the disease, it is useful to drink a coffee drink made from chicory half and half with milk. Its daily use while following a diet allows you to eliminate inflammation in six months to a year. It is necessary to include seaweed and foods rich in cobalt and nickel in your diet. Their deficiency disrupts the functioning of the pancreas, which, in turn, can lead to diabetes.

• Brew a glass of boiling water 1 tsp. crushed chicory roots, leave for half an hour in an enamel bowl in a water bath, let cool, strain.

Take a quarter glass with honey half an hour before meals during the day.

• Brew 1 tsp. soluble chicory with a glass of boiling water, leave. Add a glass of weak infusion (dilute with water).

Take 1/2 cup three times a day after meals.

How to drink chicory for heart or vascular diseases

The beneficial properties of the plant are used in the treatment of heart diseases to increase the amplitude and normalize the rhythm of contractions, dilate blood vessels, reduce the level of “bad” cholesterol in the blood, and increase the concentration of hemoglobin.

• Mix 1 tsp. soluble chicory or powder from its roots and 1 tbsp. marigolds, pour 100 ml of vodka. Leave in a dark, cool place in a tightly closed glass container for 20 days, shake every day, and strain when finished.

Take 20 drops on a piece of sugar after meals.

• Brew 20g of chicory with a glass of boiling water, leave for half an hour, strain.

Take 2 tbsp. 3 times a day to relieve swelling associated with insufficient heart function and stimulate its activity.

Cardiac ischemia.

• Mix two parts cottage cheese and one part soluble chicory or its crushed roots.

Eat throughout the day.

Frequent heart contractions (tachycardia).

• Mix equal parts creeping thyme herb and chicory, brew 1 tbsp. mix 500 ml of boiling water, cover well and leave for 30 minutes, strain.

Drink during the day in four doses.

Reduced concentration of hemoglobin in the blood (anemia).

• Cut young shoots during flowering, scald with boiling water, mince, squeeze, and boil the juice for 10 minutes over low heat.

Take 1 teaspoon diluted in half a glass of milk 3 times a day.

High blood pressure ().

• Pour 1 tbsp. crushed chicory roots 1.5 liters of cold water, slowly bring to a boil, boil for 5 minutes, cover well and leave for 4 hours, strain.

During the day, take a total of 250-350 ml of infusion, possibly with the addition of honey and lemon. Treat for two weeks.

Strengthening blood vessels.

• Mix dried plant tops and parsley leaves, 1 tsp. Brew the mixture with a glass of boiling water, cover well and leave for 20 minutes, strain.

Take 1/3 cup before meals.

Beneficial properties of chicory for diabetes

The anti-inflammatory, wound-healing and antitoxic properties of the plant have a protective effect on membrane structures in the pancreas, which makes it possible to reduce blood glucose levels.

• Brew 1 tsp. mixture of flowering tops and crushed roots with a glass of boiling water, simmer in a water bath for 30 minutes, let cool, strain.

Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day half an hour before meals.

• Brew 2 tbsp of a mixture of chicory roots and burdock with 500 ml of boiling water, simmer in a water bath for 30 minutes, let cool, strain.

Take half a glass 3-4 times a day.

The benefits of chicory for weight loss

The medicinal plant helps to cope with excess weight. It contains pectins, they reduce the feeling of hunger, reduce appetite, and prolong the feeling of fullness.

To lose weight, it is not enough to drink chicory. Diet and exercise are required. The use of infusions and medicinal preparations enhances the effect of exercise.

You should not use weight loss supplements during pregnancy, as well as in case of kidney, liver, or gastrointestinal diseases.

Recipe for reducing appetite and losing weight:

• In the evening, brew 2 tbsp in a thermos. chicory 1 liter of boiling water.

Take the infusion half an hour before meals in small sips, drink it throughout the day.

Recipe for removing harmful substances:

• Mix 20g chicory root, 15g leaves, 15g, 15g parsley roots, 15g buckthorn, 10g mint, 10g yarrow. Brew 2 tbsp in a thermos. collecting 500 ml of boiling water.

Take 30 ml before meals three times a day.

Recipe for normalizing intestinal function and removing fluid from the body:

• Mix 80g of chicory herb, 10g each of coltsfoot, blackberry, and birch leaves. Brew 1 tsp. mix 500 ml of boiling water, simmer in a water bath for 15 minutes, strain.

Take 50 ml before breakfast and lunch.

Harm and contraindications of chicory

Despite its benefits, chicory, when consumed in excess, can cause excessive appetite and lead to obesity.

Taking an infusion of the plant is contraindicated in case of exacerbation of the duodenum.

The simultaneous use of infusion and antibiotics may interfere with the absorption of the medicine.

Drinks with chicory are contraindicated for children under three years of age, as their nervous system is not fully developed.

Excessive consumption of chicory can cause hypervitaminosis of vitamin C. You should avoid taking it if you are allergic to ascorbic acid.

Chicory dilates blood vessels; this beneficial property can be harmful for varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

With bronchial asthma and bronchitis, chicory drinks in some cases can cause an exacerbation of the disease.

For some types of gastritis, the use of chicory is contraindicated and can be harmful.

Long-term consumption of chicory in large quantities can lead to insomnia, exacerbation of gallbladder diseases, indigestion, gout, arthritis, and provoke formation (the plant contains oxalates).

Chicory has a diuretic effect, and with low blood pressure this can be harmful, as it will drop even more.

Modified: 02/11/2019

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How to produce and what types exist

What chicory looks like: photo during the flowering period

The chicory doesn't look outstanding in the photo. However, a root up to 15 meters long is hidden underground. Not a small sample! And this is beneficial to us: this is where the benefits of the plant are concentrated.

Plant roots: the main raw material for instant chicory

How the product is made

Powder or granules are the result of drying and frying at high temperatures (up to 220 C). Naturally, this technology destroys many beneficial substances in the root, although the taste is a convenient raw material for a drink reminiscent of coffee.

Syrup is another option for a curious product on sale. Alas, this is not the best choice, since its production uses the mentioned powder, produced by the hot-drying method, in combination with sugar, which adds harm both for diabetes and for all followers of a healthy lifestyle.

New with a key advantage!

Freeze-dried instant chicory.

The main thing we know about it is the preservation of nutrients due to a special production technology. As a result, all vitamins, mineral salts, valuable biocompounds and the prebiotic inulin are preserved and benefit the body.

Where to get personal experience

Convenient points of sale where you always have the right type of drink are online health food stores. For example, giants Ozone and iHerb. Our hero is much more popular in the USA than in Russia, so the product line on iHerb is very wide.

It also makes sense to pay attention to freeze-dried instant chicory “Ecology - healthy eating”. It was developed at the Institute of Nutrition, receiving several prestigious awards.

What's nice about this product is its relatively affordable price and meaningful label. All the beneficial properties are before your eyes. There won't be a single question left regarding brewing. Externally, these are porous granules that resemble coffee.

Chemical composition of chicory

We will only talk about the useful type of product - dry instant, which is made by sublimation.

Calorie content per 100 grams - 320-370 kcal

• Carbohydrates - from 50 grams
• Proteins - up to 10 grams

Vitamins

• A - 286 mcg
• K - 297.6 mcg
• E - 2.26 mg
• C - 24 mg
• B6 - 0.11 mg
• B9 - 110 mcg
• And also B1, B2, B4, B5

Minerals

• Potassium - 420 mg
• Sodium - 45 mg
• Phosphorus - 47 mg
• Manganese - 0.43 mg
• Calcium - 100 mg
• Magnesium - 30 mg
• As well as zinc, selenium, etc.

There are coumarins, polyphenols, pectins and a very valuable component inulin - fructose polysaccharide and a special type of dietary fiber, which is recommended for consumption by almost everyone.

According to GOST, high-quality chicory for brewing tea should contain at least 30% inulin. In products from TM Ekologika prebiotics up to 46% (!)

Beneficial features

1) Reduces stress and protects intelligence from age-related changes.

2006, Journal of Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior: “Repeated caffeine consumption combined with stress causes a significant increase in cortisol levels.” ()

This is the main difference between our hero and coffee, which fuels stress. The reason for this is caffeine. It even comes in decaffeinated versions.

Our hero does not contain this substance and reduces nervous tension. Even that herbal tea, where we add a little coffee for aroma, is significantly better than another cup of pure coffee addiction.

By drinking chicory infusion at night, we solve several problems at once. Mild sedative effect, reduced anxiety and normal long-term sleep. Deep and uninterrupted sleep enables anti-aging mechanisms led by melatonin, a natural protector against aging. As a result, chicory is another step towards active longevity and preservation of intelligence.

2) Protects against systemic inflammation.

Plant polyphenols can fight inflammation. The so-called “systemic senile inflammation” is the cause of all age-related pathologies that shorten life or significantly reduce its quality at the age of 60+.

It is useful to introduce any foods containing many anti-inflammatory substances into the diet from the age of 35-40.

In addition, the anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties of chicory are an excellent help in the treatment of extensive skin pathologies (eczema, psoriasis, acne).

3) Protects liver cells.

2015, Damanhour University, Egypt. Four groups of patients with different liver lesions and treatment regimens. Daily chicory extract (100 mg per 1 kg body weight, 1 r per day, 2 weeks in a row) prevented cell damage, ultimately improving liver health. ()

The liver is an unpretentious and phenomenal hard-working organ. It constantly neutralizes toxic substances and synthesizes compounds important for life.

The ability of chicory extract to protect hepatocytes from the effects of toxins and free radicals has been proven in many studies. Additionally, the product has a mild choleretic effect. It alleviates the condition with dyskinesia of the gallbladder and at the first stage of cholelithiasis.

And phenolic resins are antioxidants. This adds anti-cancer activity to the drink.

4) Prevents and slows the progression of type 2 diabetes and helps you lose weight.

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes is the scourge of civilization. But the situation is not as dire as it might seem before studying methods of prevention and treatment. In protecting against the development of diabetes, a lot depends on nutrition and those natural remedies that normalize metabolism.

Our hero can be an effective addition to a diabetes diet. It will also be useful in the proper nutrition of all people over 30 years of age in order to prevent the development of the disease. The reason for the antidiabetic properties of chicory is the already mentioned healing inulin.

Reducing the GI of your meal!

Thanks to inulin, tea reduces the glycemic index of meals. This reduces blood glucose spikes. As a result, fewer carbohydrates are stored in fat. This encourages weight loss, and the glycoside intibin dulls appetite.

5) Restrains the manifestations of arthritis.

In 2010, the University of Texas completed a study that found that chicory root extract has anti-inflammatory properties and can help with degenerative joint diseases. Eighteen patients over 50 years of age with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee joint drank chicory extract. 13 patients reported a 20% improvement in pain and stiffness. ()

6) Normalizes intestinal cleansing and nourishes beneficial microflora.

2012, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 28 days, older adults with constipation. Conclusion: “Decreased difficulty with bowel movements. Supplementing with 15 g of inulin daily relieves constipation and improves quality of life.” ()

And again, the beneficial properties of chicory are due to the prebiotic inulin, which passes through the upper digestive tract without changes. In the lower sections it becomes fertile soil for the nutrition of beneficial microflora. It grows by suppressing opportunistic pathogens. The absorption of vitamins and minerals improves, and a food bolus is formed that is convenient for evacuation. Ultimately, this strengthens the immune system.

Contraindications for use

• A strict ban on chicory tea for all people with individual intolerance. The risk increases if you are allergic to related plants. These are marigolds, daisies, ambrosia.
• Cholelithiasis, from stage 2, with large stones. Our hero, like all choleretic drinks, enhances the peristalsis of the gallbladder. If the stones move into the duct, a blockage will occur and surgical treatment will occur.
• Inflammatory diseases of the upper digestive tract (gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcer).
• Varicose veins of the limbs and severe hemorrhoids.
• Serious pathology of the nervous system (schizophrenia, severe nervousness, organic changes in the brain).
• Children under 3 years of age.

A relative contraindication is pregnancy. In Western sources, doctors do not prohibit chicory, but women who did not use it before pregnancy should not suddenly replace coffee. The right choice is to give up both coffee and its substitutes.

Is it possible to eat chicory while breastfeeding? And again there are discrepancies in herbal medicine. American women drink tea during breastfeeding. Our doctors advise you to be careful.

Instant chicory: how much can you drink per day?

2-3 cups (200 ml) per day- standard recommendation of endocrinologists for the prevention of diabetes in healthy people. See the packaging for the number of spoons for brewing 1 cup.

Do not pour boiling water over it!

You need hot water about 80-90 C and time for the tea to brew - 3-5 minutes, under the lid.

What is possible add to drink for taste?

• At the beginning of addiction - a little coffee for aroma;
• Ginger or cinnamon;
• Milk and honey (into cooled infusion);
• Lemon or orange juice (in warm tea).

Possible harm from increasing the amount of inulin in the diet is temporary flatulence and bloating. To avoid discomfort, introduce the product gradually.

To reduce appetite and lose weight:

In the evening, brew 2 tablespoons of chicory roots in a thermos for 1 liter of boiling water. Drink the infusion 30 minutes before meals, using the entire liter in 1 day.

The taste of chicory tea cannot be compared to coffee. You are unlikely to switch to it without any effort at all. After aromatic Arabica, give at least 2 weeks to get used to the health-improving replacement.

Be prepared: a sweetish drink made from instant chicory - with a slight bitterness. But its beneficial properties are great, and its contraindications are insignificant. It makes sense to include the drink in the family menu at least during the most vulnerable and delicate periods. In autumn and winter, after illness, during breastfeeding and pregnancy, for elderly hypertensive patients and during weight loss.

It’s quite possible that you won’t want to go back to coffee, especially instant coffee, which can’t be called healthy or harmless, but we’ll talk about that next time. Learn important things, try useful things and be healthy!

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It is difficult to overestimate the medicinal properties and benefits of chicory - a wild plant with beautiful blue flowers. The plant tastes like coffee, but it should be consumed with caution - chicory can be harmful to people suffering from certain diseases.

Benefits of Chicory in vitamin composition

Vitamin A;- vitamin B;- vitamin C;- vitamin E;- potassium;- sodium;- magnesium;- calcium;- iron;- pectin;- inulin;- proteins;- fat;- choline;- chicorine;- essential oil; - carotene; - organic acids; - glycoside inhibid; - mineral salts; - bitter and resinous substances; - tannins; - gum.

Collection and preparation of chicory

Chicory is a tall plant with blue flowers and a long healing root, reaching up to 1.5 m. Since ancient times, this plant has been famous for its medicinal properties. Residents of many countries use chicory leaves to make salads, dry the roots and prepare a drink from it that replaces morning coffee. When reading the works of European writers of past centuries, you can often find mention of chicory.

Chicory is harvested in the fall, when the flowers and leaves wither, and the root is carefully dug out. Clean, get rid of small roots and rotten parts, wash and dry in the sun for 5 days.

You can check the readiness of the root by breaking it. If a noticeable crunch is heard, the root is considered ready for use.

The dried plant can be stored for 3 years in paper bags.

Beneficial properties of chicory and their uses

Chicory leaves are added to salads; they are rich in vitamin C, but they should not be consumed in large quantities, as they can cause allergies. All the benefits of chicory mainly lie in its healing root.

Chicory is very popular because it is used to make a drink that tastes like coffee. Chicory coffee is prepared as follows: 100–200 g of dry plant root is roasted until light brown. Then grind it in a coffee grinder, brew 1-2 teaspoons of ground chicory root with a glass of boiling water.

To prevent the drink from being too bitter, add sugar and cream or honey. You can also grind dry rosehip berries along with the root.

Recipe for making chicory tea: pour 1 teaspoon of chicory roots into 250 ml of cold water, bring to a boil and cook for several minutes. Then strain the tea and add honey to it.

For people who cannot drink natural coffee due to high blood pressure, chicory coffee is an excellent substitute and will give the same vigor and well-being. For those who are accustomed to instant coffee, manufacturers have prepared a gift - instant chicory, which contains all the vitamins and beneficial substances of the medicinal plant. Those who have low blood pressure should avoid chicory.

Chicory is good to drink with milk, it helps to absorb it, you can also prepare pleasant cold drinks from the root of the plant with the addition of honey, lemon, apple juice. In addition, chicory is added to various dishes and confectionery products.

The medicinal properties of chicory have anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, sedative, diuretic, choleretic and hypnotic effects. A cup of chicory coffee or tea in the morning gives energy, and in the evening it cures insomnia in older people.

Inulin, found in chicory, is a polysaccharide that is used as a substitute for starch and sugar, so chicory can be included in the diet of patients suffering from diabetes. Potassium normalizes the condition of the heart muscle and the whole body, B vitamins have a positive effect on the nervous system, iron – on the hematopoietic system.

Chicory is used as a vasodilator for atherosclerosis, tachycardia, and arrhythmia. To treat arrhythmia, prepare a decoction as follows: pour 1 tablespoon of crushed roots with 2 glasses of water, boil and leave for 2 hours, then strain the decoction, add 1 teaspoon of honey and drink half a glass 3 times a day.

Chicory is used for the treatment and prevention of gastritis, diseases of the kidneys, spleen, liver, and improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. There are many folk recipes that help get rid of ailments.

So, for the treatment of gastritis and an enlarged spleen, it is recommended to pour 2 tablespoons of crushed root with boiling water (0.5 liters), leave for 2 hours, strain, drink half a glass 2 times a day before meals.

Before consuming chicory for people with gastritis and a diseased liver, you should consult a doctor.

Chicory helps with skin diseases and acne, and can also serve as a weight loss aid. The recipe is simple: boil 1 teaspoon of crushed root in 1 liter of water for 10 minutes, take half a glass 3 times a day.

If you drink a decoction of chicory to treat obesity, you need to take into account that chicory causes appetite, so you should try to combine this remedy with diet and exercise.

Doctors strongly recommend that everyone give up excessive addiction to coffee. For coffee lovers this is not at all easy. But an undeservedly forgotten chicory. If we compare the properties of chicory in terms of benefits and harm with the characteristics of coffee tree beans, the advantage will clearly be on the side of the former. Moreover, coffee will never be able to compete with chicory in terms of variability of use in cooking, medicine, and cosmetology.

Note! Chicory is not only a coffee substitute, but also an excellent dietary supplement and seasoning.

Let's see if this statement is so true.

Chicory is a healthy coffee substitute

What is chicory made from?

Chicory- a drink made from the roasted, powdered root of a plant with the same name. It contains the astringency and characteristic bitterness inherent in coffee. The aroma is not so intense, but pronounced, invigorating, and very pleasant. Stores sell soluble chicory extract in powder or liquid form.

It is made by extracting the roasted and crushed root of the plant into a concentrated infusion. For instant chicory, the substrate is dried to produce a freeze-dried powdered product.

When making liquid chicory, the infusion is enriched with additional useful components: stevia (a natural sweetener), extracts of medicinal herbs, berries, root vegetables, etc.

How to make a drink from chicory

Making a coffee drink from instant chicory is simple and easy. It is enough to dilute the powder with warm milk or add a spoonful of liquid sweetened concentrate to a cup of hot water. A good mood and energy boost for the whole day are guaranteed, and without the usual dose of caffeine!

The healing properties of chicory are unconditional, especially for those who cannot refuse a tonic morning drink, but for one reason or another cannot afford to drink coffee.

The absence of caffeine while maintaining the tonic qualities of the drink is only a small part of the advantages of this amazing plant. In fact, the beneficial properties of chicory are described in a much wider spectrum. First of all, the product is considered as a healing product for the body.

Can pregnant women drink chicory?

Carrying a child requires special attention from a woman. She must strictly monitor her lifestyle and especially her diet. Is it possible to drink coffee during pregnancy? Doctors recommend abstaining. This drink should be excluded from the diet or replaced with chicory. The taste of this product is very similar to a regular cup of coffee, but the amount of vitamins in it is much greater.

Chicory during pregnancy is not only possible, but also necessary to be consumed.

Experts have conducted many studies and have proven that the elements contained in chicory replenish the reserves of those vitamins that a pregnant woman loses during the first trimester.

Chicory contains divalent iron, which has a beneficial effect on hemoglobin levels. The root of this plant includes many vitamins: vitamin C, ascorbic acid, pectins.

During pregnancy, women often suffer from constipation. Chicory can eliminate the problem because... the elements included in it restore digestion and remove toxic substances.

During the period of bearing a child, a woman can gain extra pounds. Chicory, in turn, improves metabolism and relieves the expectant mother of unwanted extra pounds.

The heart of pregnant women works at an increased rate. A chicory drink also helps maintain heart function.

Chicory is able to isolate a pregnant woman from feelings of nausea and heartburn.

You can improve the taste with milk or cream. Lovers of sweet drinks can add honey or sugar to chicory.

But even this number of advantages does not allow you to consume chicory more than 3 cups per day. Due to its diuretic effect, larger amounts of the drink can lead to dehydration. Also, if a woman has a good appetite, chicory should be reduced in use. Because it increases appetite.

Important! Having many positive qualities, chicory also has contraindications. Therefore, women carrying a child should consult a specialist before consuming it.

Chicory for the heart and blood vessels

The mere fact that instant chicory does not contain caffeine speaks in its favor for the cardiovascular system. Plus, the root of the plant after heat treatment contains such important components as potassium and magnesium. This is due to the medicinal properties of chicory, which are manifested by the effect of normalizing the functions of the cardiovascular system, stabilizing heart rhythms, and increasing the amplitude of contractions of the heart muscle.

The product has a positive effect on the condition of blood vessels. In this case, the benefit of chicory lies in the ability to reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of formation of cholesterol plaques in blood vessels, causing the development of various pathologies.

This effect of chicory on the body is especially important for middle-aged men and women, who are at risk for the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Tachycardia, hypertension, atherosclerosis, ischemia, and many other diseases recede when you give up coffee in favor of a drink made from soluble chicory.

Let's say a few words about how chicory is useful for the nervous system. The product contains many vitamins, in particular B vitamins. Thanks to them, the body is filled with energy and receives a powerful charge of vigor.

Moreover, liquid chicory extract and its powder analogue, unlike other tonic drinks, do not produce an arousal effect. On the contrary, chicory has a moderate calming effect on the nervous system, which is extremely important for people exposed to constant stress.

Chicory is a natural supplier of inulin

Inulin, as an extremely necessary polymeric organic compound for the human body, has recently been talked about. It turns out that this substance plays an important role in the digestion process and general metabolism. Inulin is involved in regulating blood sugar levels and improves immunity.

In chicory, the concentration of inulin is high (up to 50%), therefore, in the form of an instant coffee drink, herbal infusion, or juice, it is recommended to use it as a therapeutic and prophylactic agent for the following conditions:

Diabetes;
reduced immunity;
problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

The benefits of chicory for diabetes mellitus manifest itself in improving the patient's condition by lowering blood sugar levels. Vitamins and chicory acid play a role in increasing the body's defenses.

Regularly drinking infusions of chicory flowers and herbs, as well as a coffee drink made from liquid extract or soluble powder, is useful during periods of seasonal pandemics for the prevention of viral and colds.

The same inulin helps normalize metabolic processes, remove toxins and waste from the gastrointestinal tract, improve intestinal microflora, which generally has a beneficial effect on digestion. The medicinal properties of chicory have been proven in the fight against dysbiosis and accompanying intestinal disorders, ulcers, and gastritis.

The benefits of instant chicory for weight loss

The benefits and harms of chicory are discussed very actively in matters of weight loss, which are always relevant for women. Is chicory really and why is it useful for those who want to normalize weight?

For weight loss, the benefits of chicory are due to the following substances included in the product:

1. Inulin lowers blood glucose levels, thereby neutralizing the harmful effects of sugar on the body. Drinking an instant drink from chicory is recommended for those with a sweet tooth who cannot give up their favorite treats.
2. Thiamine converts carbohydrates, fats and proteins into usable energy.
3. Riboflavin helps quickly break down fats, thereby helping to lose excess weight.
4. Triterpenes increase the metabolic rate, making the process of losing weight easier and faster.
5. Pectin reduces appetite, suppresses hunger, and prolongs the feeling of fullness.

Just one cup of instant chicory in the morning instead of the usual coffee already promotes weight loss. Additionally, to lose weight, it is recommended to drink 100 ml of decoction from the root of the plant three times a day, half an hour before meals (boil 1 tsp per 0.5 liter of boiling water for 10 minutes).

In the evening, it is advisable to take anti-cellulite medicinal baths from an infusion of chicory herb. The weight loss effect of such procedures will increase many times over. In addition, your well-being and mood will improve.

Chicory - a cure for anemia

In terms of iron content, the product is not inferior to apples, pears, and liver. However, iron is absorbed from chicory much better and in larger quantities. That is why it is recommended to drink an instant drink from this amazing plant as a prevention and treatment of anemia. This especially applies to children, people who do not receive adequate nutrition, and women during pregnancy.

Important! It is not advisable to “whiten” chicory with cow’s milk!

When combined with milk, instant chicory can harm the digestive system, causing intestinal upset. In addition, when interacting with milk, the medicinal properties of chicory for anemia are reduced due to a decrease in the degree of iron absorption.

As an alternative, doctors recommend using the plant equivalent of animal milk. The best options are rice, soy, coconut, and nut milk, which you can buy at a health food store or prepare yourself.

Cleansing the body with chicory

The range of medicinal properties of the plant includes, among other things, diuretic and choleretic. The product has the property of dissolving sand and small stones in the bile ducts, cleanses the liver well, and helps remove toxins and waste from the kidneys.

Special recommendations for the use of chicory apply to men who like to drink. This unique plant quickly neutralizes alcohol toxins, helping to return to normal after a heavy libation. Thanks to it, the functioning of the heart improves, blood pressure normalizes, and the kidneys and liver are cleansed of harmful substances.

When is chicory harmful?

We looked at the benefits of chicory. However, one cannot fail to mention the harm that can be caused to the body if this product is used incorrectly.

From a medical point of view, the main contraindications of chicory are:

Varicose veins, some other vascular diseases.
Haemorrhoids.
Gastritis.
Chronical bronchitis.
Gastric ulcers.
Asthma.
Some chronic heart pathologies.
Individual intolerance to product components.
Age up to 3 years.
Lactation.

Conclusion: Failure to comply with the regimen and dosage of the product can cause undesirable effects: irritation, insomnia, increased appetite, impaired liver function, etc. In a word, despite the enormous benefits, chicory has quite serious contraindications. Therefore, consultation with a specialist regarding the rules for using chicory as a preventive and, even more so, therapeutic agent is required!

Video: Chicory benefits and harm

Many medicinal plants have been known to mankind since the reign of the pharaohs. Soluble chicory is no exception. Its beneficial properties and contraindications are not known to everyone. In today’s article we will discuss in detail the value of “Petrov Batog”.

Plant value

Recently, chicory is most often regarded as an aromatic drink, although this plant component is added to various dishes and confectionery products. Many people are interested in whether instant chicory is beneficial. Doctors will unanimously give an affirmative answer.

This plant appeared in the vastness of our country at the end of the 19th century, although humanity became acquainted with its healing properties in ancient times. What are the benefits of soluble chicory for the body? To answer this question, it is necessary to turn to the component composition of plant matter.

The chicory rhizome contains inulin, the proportion of which varies from 20 to 40%. The root also contains choline and fructose. Chicory inflorescences are no less valuable. They contain chicorin.

Doctors advise introducing soluble chicory into your diet. Its beneficial properties are associated with the rich content of vitamins, micro- and macroelements, in particular:

• thiamine;
• ascorbic acid;
• intibine glucoside;
• riboflavin.

The drink is called healing due to its high concentration of inulin. This component is necessary for our body to maintain normal sugar levels. In addition, the described element belongs to the group of carbohydrates that are completely digestible.

Soluble chicory powder: benefits and harms

Chicory grows in various climatic conditions. If you believe the legends, then the properties of soluble chicory and contraindications were known to the Apostle Peter. It was he who added the rhizome of this plant to wheat grains to eliminate pests.

Later, chicory twigs were used to pasture sheep. This is where its second name came from - “Petrov batog”. Please note that poison against snakes and scorpions was made from chicory. And only then it began to be used in alternative medicine to treat various ailments.

The soluble product that we are used to seeing on supermarket shelves is produced by drying and grinding the rhizome of the described plant to a powdery consistency.

Important! This drink is a real panacea for people suffering from diabetes. As already mentioned, the chicory root system contains a large amount of inulin, which is a complete alternative to sugar.

The importance of chicory for the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems cannot be underestimated. With its help, you can overcome tachycardia, improve the condition of blood vessels and normalize the functioning of the nervous system.

On a note! The drink made from chicory is famous for its cleansing properties, so it is recommended to drink it for urolithiasis.

The described herbal remedy is popularly called blue dandelion. It is produced not only in the form of a soluble powder. You can find granules and liquid extracts on sale. There is also a salad option, which in appearance resembles a head of cabbage.

The benefits of instant chicory are priceless. Its beneficial properties include:

• wound treatment;
• fight against dermatological diseases;
• anti-inflammatory effect;
• treatment of ailments of the digestive tract;
• therapy of liver and kidney pathologies.

What are the benefits of instant chicory for women? This drink is ideal for those who had to give up coffee, especially during pregnancy. A unique drink helps cope with heartburn and constipation that appear during pregnancy. In addition, it cleanses the body, removing all accumulated toxins and waste, which has a beneficial effect on the development of the baby.

On a note! Shampoos are made from chicory root, which help strengthen and grow hair. The described drink strengthens the immune system and normalizes the functioning of all internal organs.

Chicory in alternative medicine is used not only for medicinal but also for preventive purposes. If you drink chicory daily, you can insure yourself against the following diseases:

• bronchial asthma;
• diseases of the heart muscle;
• stomatitis;
• anemia;
• dysbacteriosis;
• intestinal infections;
• osteochondrosis.

What are the benefits of instant chicory for men? Firstly, the described drink has a beneficial effect on the genitourinary system, preventing the development of inflammatory processes and a number of urological ailments. Secondly, chicory helps to get rid of extra pounds. If you drink chicory daily and at the same time reduce the number of kilocalories consumed, then in one week you can lose 1 kg.

but on the other hand

We have already looked at the benefits of instant chicory. As you can see, its benefits are undeniable and truly invaluable for our body. Is there any harm from soluble chicory?

The body can be harmed if you consume chicory in the presence of direct contraindications, which include:

• excessive sensitivity to individual components;
• intolerance;
• allergic reactions;
• elevated blood pressure levels.

Important! As for chicory in the form of a liquid extract, its use should be avoided if you have any ailments associated with blood vessels, including varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

Let's study a number of rules

Many people who have decided to give up coffee and introduce this healthy drink into their diet are interested in how to drink instant chicory. Fortunately, you can buy already processed roots in the store. In this case, 1-2 tsp. dissolve in 150-200 ml of boiling water.

You can add cream or condensed milk to taste. Chicory has a specific taste and aroma, so try the drink before adding granulated sugar.

If you decide to prepare the raw materials for the drink yourself, do not forget to dry the roots thoroughly. This is best done in an oven at a temperature of 100°, and then they need to be crushed to a powdery consistency.