Chicory: benefits, harm, contraindications

The chicory drink is probably known to everyone, even if not from their own experience, then by products from store shelves. What is it and what is its use? Let's figure it out today!

What is chicory

Chicory is a perennial plant with a thick and spindle-shaped root. Its stems are high, covered with hairs. Flowers growing on stems are most often blue in color, but can be white or pink. But no matter how beautiful the top is, the raw materials for the drink are prepared from the roots of the plant.

By the way, since chicory grows in large quantities precisely on the territory of Russia and Ukraine, you can cook it yourself without using purchased ingredients. Moreover, this is done simply.

How to make chicory at home

1. Collect the chicory roots and rinse them.
2. Clean the clean roots thoroughly and rinse thoroughly again. There is a stem inside the roots, it can be processed. Otherwise, if there is no such desire, clean off the side shavings and use only them. It will take longer, but as they say, it's a matter of taste.
3. The prepared product must be passed through a meat grinder if the volume is large, or finely chop it with a knife if there are few roots.
4. The crushed roots should be dried in the oven at 100 ° C. After that, transfer them to the pan and fry until completely dry. If the number of roots was small and you used a knife for chopping, then there was not much juice. In this case, you can immediately start frying, bypassing drying in the oven.
5. Roast the roots until they are completely dry. When finished, they should have a persistent odor and a yellow-brown color.

Before preparing chicory, grind the required amount of product in a coffee grinder and brew. If you prefer not to remove the hard inner part of the root, then when welding it can float with small chips on the surface. There is nothing wrong with that, literally in a couple of minutes everything will settle to the bottom and will not interfere with use.

This is how easy it is to prepare the most natural natural product. Yes, you need to tinker a little with it and it may seem that it is easier to buy it ready-made, but this is how you can be sure of its healing qualities and 100% naturalness.

Chicory: properties

Now let's look at what harmful and useful properties this beautiful plant has when taken internally.

The benefits of chicory

The 12 healthiest and most enjoyable properties of chicory.

• Great substitute for coffee. It tastes like coffee, so if you suddenly decide to abandon it, or you like it, but for some reason is contraindicated, go to chicory. It is undesirable to use it with milk; it is better to replace it with herbal counterparts, such as soy, coconut or rice. Sugar doesn't make the drink healthier either. Chicory, by the way, is able to cheer up and tone up, while not harming the body.
• Good effect on the nervous system. The root contains a large amount of B vitamins, which are known to have a positive effect on the nervous system. They charge with energy, give strength and invigorate remarkably.
• Slimming. The roots of the plant contain inulin, which effectively lowers blood sugar levels. This drink will especially be liked by those with a sweet tooth, who cannot imagine their life without sweets and cakes. All harm from eating them will be leveled. Thiamine, aka B1, transforms carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy, B2 helps to break down fats. Do not forget about triterpenes, which activate metabolic processes and improve metabolism... And pectin dulls the feeling of hunger. It is enough to drink chicory after breakfast and lunch to stay full longer.
• Help for diabetics. The previously mentioned inulin, which regulates blood sugar levels, will be very useful for diabetics who have to constantly monitor its content. However, chicory can only be used as an adjuvant treatment. diabetes, but by no means the main one.

• Positive effect on the skin. The skin is the same organ as the kidneys and liver, and the heart, which means that it also needs care and nutrition with vitamins and nutrients. Chicory contains magnesium, calcium and potassium, vitamins B3, B2, B1, A, C, E and PP. All of them contribute to the production of collagen, skin renewal and toning. The drink can be used not only for ingestion, but also externally, in the form of masks and lotion. It helps to heal eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, wounds and other skin diseases.
• Hair benefits. For exactly the same reasons that were listed in the previous paragraph, chicory is good for hair. By the way, it can also be used differently, simply by rinsing the curls with it. It significantly improves their structure and promotes growth. Simply rub the chicory decoction into the roots of your hair and wait about 10 minutes. Then rinse off the composition and let the hair dry naturally.
• Intestinal microflora. And here, too, inulin plays a fundamental role, which is very useful for microflora. Bifidobacteria, which live in the intestines, take inulin very well, which is a type of fiber. Chicory allows you to prevent dysbiosis and prevent constipation.
• Tall immunity... Everything here is interconnected with the intestines. The fact is that the immune system is largely determined by the intestinal microflora. If everything is fine with her, then the protective functions of the body are at a high level and vice versa. And if you take into account the information of the previous paragraph, then everything becomes clear. The drink contains chicory acid, which also helps to increase immunity.
• The cardiovascular system. Chicory drink contains potassium, which is very beneficial for the heart muscle, as well as magnesium, which prevents heart disease. The roots of the plant cleanse the body of cholesterol and dilate blood vessels, increasing the amplitude of heart contractions.
• Benefits for anemia There is a lot of iron in the roots of chicory, which, at the same time, is very easily absorbed by the body. Therefore, the drink is advised to use not only as a prophylactic agent, but for medicinal purposes. However, it should be remembered that when milk is added, the absorption effect will be seriously reduced.
• Cleansing the kidneys and liver. With a small amount of consumption, the drink helps to cleanse both kidneys and liver from toxins. But you cannot overdo it with it, otherwise you can get stones.
• Conclusion of parasites. We have already mentioned that chicory promotes the exit of harmful microorganisms and toxins from the body. You can prepare a very good composition that will help cleanse in a short time. Mix together a small spoonful of tansy herb, yarrow and chicory root. Pour a couple of glasses of water and put in a water bath for 15 minutes. You need to use the product in a quarter of a glass for a week on an empty stomach.

Chicory harm

Chicory and milk... Earlier it was mentioned that chicory has a good effect on the work of the cardiovascular system, but if you look at the reviews about the drink, then some complain that after switching from coffee to chicory they had problems with these organs. There is an answer to these inconsistencies. If you pay attention, the main part of the complainers tried to use chicory with milk, like the once familiar coffee. And the point is not at all that the milk is bad or chicory - it's just that together they don't work as well as it might seem to taste. To fix this problem, try replacing cow's milk with herbal counterparts.

With varicose veins and problems with blood vessels... Chicory is very helpful in preventing diseases, but at the time of their occurrence, it can be harmful, so you should consult your doctor if there are such problems.

Liver. In moderate amounts, chicory helps cleanse the kidneys, but experience shows that it is quite capable of causing harm. But this is only if you drink it in large quantities.

Appetite... For a certain category of citizens, a drink can cause an increase in appetite, it all depends on the individual characteristics of your body.

Insomnia... This feature also applies to sleep. By its nature, chicory is more of a sedative, but it does have an invigorating effect on individuals and can cause insomnia.

As you can see, there are not so many “harmful” sides of the drink. In addition, in fairness, it is worth noting that all its disadvantages in 99.9% of cases occur only because the permissible dosage was exceeded. Drink it normally and then you will only feel its positive properties.

Chicory: contraindications

Before using any new product, you should always read about the contraindications that are peculiar to it. This will avoid a lot of trouble.

The first contraindication is due to the invigorating property of chicory. This quality can negatively affect the functioning of the nervous system, heart and blood vessels in people who have problems with them. But this does not mean at all that the use of the drink in this case is strictly prohibited. In small quantities and in low concentration, it is quite acceptable. But a consultation with your attending physician in this case will not be superfluous.

Chicory is an allergen. Rather, not the chicory itself, but the constituents of its root. If you ignore this point, then skin rashes are provided. The plant can cause individual intolerance. Despite the fact that such cases are rare, they still take place. If chicory is consumed in very large quantities, it can cause a severe attack, which can be fatal.

It is undesirable to drink chicory for problems with the liver and gallbladder. There is a lot of calcium oxalate in the roots of the plant, so it is prohibited in cases of urolithiasis and in people with a predisposition to it. Doctors confirm that in 80% of cases, the appearance of kidney stones is due precisely to calcium oxalate. The latter, of course, is not only found in chicory.

If you have an acute or chronic medical condition, it is best to consult your healthcare professional before consuming chicory. It will be much safer as each organism is different.

Chicory during pregnancy

Coffee can rightfully be called one of the most popular drinks of our time, but it is no secret that it is generally advisable not to consume a grain drink during pregnancy. Chicory, albeit remotely, still resembles coffee, but is it acceptable in an "interesting" position?

To begin with, coffee's harm is due in large part to its caffeine content. Chicory does not have it in its composition, and this is already a plus. However, the opinions of doctors about the acceptability of the drink for expectant mothers still differ. But there is no clear justification that would show the danger for both the pregnant woman and the baby. Therefore, if a woman has no contraindications for health reasons, then small portions of the drink will only benefit.

The only thing that needs to be adopted is the composition. Please read it carefully before buying. The drink must be free of colorants, aromatic additives and preservatives. Otherwise, there will be nothing useful in it.

Chicory for breastfeeding

As for the period of breastfeeding, everything is similar to the previous option. You can, but with caution. First, you must know exactly what you are missing. allergy on him and contraindications. Secondly, start drinking it in very small quantities and watch how the child reacts to it.

If no negative reaction followed, you can gradually increase the dose to an acceptable level. In any case, you cannot overdo it even with such a healthy drink. Remember, undershoot is better than overstepping.

Chicory for children

Parents always wish their children only the best and, first of all, everyone wants their most precious babies to be healthy. Many parents who use chicory and who want to share its healing qualities with their children are wondering when it is possible to give it to children and can it be done at all?

In fact, there is no clear answer to these questions. The specialists in pediatrics themselves are divided into two camps, where some are in favor and others are against. Someone puts age restrictions, not recommending giving it to children under two years old, due to the fact that the drink can negatively affect the formation of the nervous system. In fairness, it should be noted that this fact has a right to exist. The fact is that chicory, despite the absence of caffeine in it, can be as exciting as coffee. And this action is due to the effect on the nervous system.

But that's all. The drink is really very useful and is able to have a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora, thereby stimulating the immune system, which is good for children. If the child has no contraindications, then it is quite possible for him to drink a small cup a day. The fact that the drink is included in the menu of kindergartens can serve as confirmation of safety.

Chicory for weight loss

It cannot be said that using chicory you can lose weight from just one idea. By itself, he does not play a major role, but the fact that in this process he is one of the tools in the fight against excess weight is known for sure. Its chemical composition and broad spectrum of action allows you to speed up the process of obtaining the desired results, but mainly only because when it is used, metabolism is improved and the intestines become more productive.

As a "weight-loss" remedy, chicory is best used in conjunction with proper nutrition, reducing the amount of calories consumed. In this case, new fats will not accumulate, and those that are available will begin to be actively processed.

If you don't like the bitterness that often occurs in chicory, you can remove it by adding skim milk. True, as we remember from the harm of chicory with milk, they are not very compatible with each other.

Chicory for diabetes

Chicory is rightfully considered one of the healthiest drinks that can be consumed by patients with diabetes mellitus. This is primarily due to the presence of fructose in the root of the plant, which acts as a worthy substitute for sugar.

The drink is also valued for inulin, of which there is a large amount at the root. It creates the effect of hypoglycemia. Chicory lowers blood sugar and prevents the latter from jumping, which is very useful for this disease. It is difficult to underestimate the benefits of inulin in case of impaired carbohydrate metabolism, which leads to disruptions in glucose tolerance.

Chicory can often be seen on the list of recommended drinks to help avoid complications from diabetes. It is used during the treatment of obesity, it helps to remove bad cholesterol from the body, reduces triglyceride levels. The drink gives a long-lasting feeling of fullness, so any diet with it does not seem so excruciating.

How much chicory can be per day

Despite the fact that chicory is very useful, you should not get carried away with its use in large quantities. As is the case with many healthy foods, there is a line when even the most useful things, when consumed excessively, begin to bring the opposite effect to the body, and chicory is no exception.

The optimal amount that can be set as the daily rate is a couple of cups. It is this amount that will benefit and not harm. Anything from above is considered overkill. Just remember the contraindications and do not use the drink if you have something from the list.

How to cook chicory

Chicory is the world's most popular coffee substitute. And all why? Because both in color and in taste it is very similar to a drink made from roasted beans. But still, avid coffee lovers do not recognize the similarities between these comrades, characterizing the taste of chicory as bland and slightly aromatic. Therefore, in order to extract its healing properties, many simply add the ground product to coffee. Chicory has a positive effect on the taste of the latter, making it even more intense.

So how do you cook chicory?

1. Pour chicory powder purchased or prepared on your own, in the amount of 1-2 teaspoons, pour into a cup. The amount of dry product can be adjusted independently, depending on the desired strength.
2. Pour boiling water over and let it brew for about three minutes.
3. Then add milk or cream and sugar to taste to taste.

The drink is now ready to drink. Everything is very simple, tasty and healthy.

Chicory: recipes

In conclusion, we suggest you bake delicious and healthy muffins that are easy to cook and quickly eaten. They contain chicory extract, which makes them even more valuable.

Morning muffins

• a glass of muesli;
• half a glass of flour;
• half a glass of sugar;
• chicken egg;
• a glass of kefir or natural yogurt;
• four tablespoons of vegetable oil;
• a pinch of vanillin;
• three teaspoons of cinnamon;
• a couple of teaspoons of baking powder;
• half a teaspoon of chicory extract;
• half an apple.

1. Pour muesli with yogurt (or kefir). Cut the apple into small pieces.
2. Preheat the oven well to 180 ° C. Grease the tins prepared for muffins.
3. Sift the flour and add baking powder, cinnamon and vanillin to it.
4. Beat eggs with butter and sugar.
5. Add chicory to the beaten eggs. It will give a nice brown color to baked goods.
6. Add muesli there.
7. Stir in flour.
8. Add the finely chopped apples and mix well again.
9. Divide into molds so that the dough is 2/3 full.
10. Bake the dessert for about half an hour, and then let them steep in the oven, turning it off, for about seven minutes. Remove and leave alone for another 10 minutes.