You can see boxes of chicory on store shelves. Chicory is a herbaceous plant with blue flowers. The very soluble powder from which the drink is prepared is made from the root. The drink looks like coffee and tastes like it.
The main advantage of chicory is the presence of inulin. Roskachestvo experts spoke about the benefits of this product and cases when its consumption should be limited.
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How and to whom is chicory useful?
The drink is similar to coffee in taste and appearance, but does not increase blood pressure. Therefore, it is considered the best substitute for coffee for those for whom this drink is contraindicated.
Question answer
How is instant coffee counterfeited and how to choose a quality one? In addition, chicory can replace sugar or sugar syrup, making it suitable for diabetics. The inulin it contains reduces blood glucose and cholesterol levels.
In addition, chicory has many beneficial properties:
- normalizes intestinal microflora, prevents dysbacteriosis;
- fights constipation, heartburn and nausea;
- strengthens the immune system;
- helps the body absorb vitamins and macroelements;
- calms the nervous system, relieves stress, improves sleep quality;
- helps reduce blood pressure;
- reduces the amount of harmful substances in the body, cleanses the liver and kidneys;
- increases appetite;
- helps lower blood sugar levels;
- promotes weight loss;
- stabilizes heart function;
- preserves energy and tone of the body.
Medicines made from chicory have choleretic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. They are used for pancreatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis of various origins and other diseases.
Benefit for health
Those who actively use chicory for weight loss note a noticeable improvement in their well-being. And this is not only due to its tonic effect. This plant is officially medicinal and is used in medicine to treat various diseases. The rich chemical composition described above has a beneficial effect on the functioning of many internal organs. Here are just some of its medicinal properties:
- has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and astringent effects;
- reduces sweating;
- improves digestion, reduces the risk of developing gastrointestinal cancer, normalizes intestinal microflora (inulin is a prebiotic);
- has a calming effect on the central nervous system and is prescribed for mild mental disorders;
- normalizes heart function, reducing tachycardia;
- “drives away” bile;
- strengthens the immune system;
- reduces cholesterol and sugar, thereby improving the well-being of patients with diabetes and atherosclerosis;
- strengthens joints, alleviates arthritis and rheumatism;
- promotes maximum absorption of vitamins and microelements;
- relieves pain syndromes (including alleviating migraines and algomenorrhea);
- cleanses the body of toxic and radioactive substances, heavy metal salts.
So, when losing weight on chicory, improved health will be a pleasant bonus.
This is interesting. The famous French writer Alexandre Dumas wrote in his “Great Culinary Dictionary” (1873) that chicory is one of the most valuable medicinal plants. At that time, salads based on its leaves could be the only food for patients after a long illness and operations.
How can pregnant women consume chicory?
Chicory is useful during pregnancy: it normalizes the gastrointestinal tract, reduces stress, fights nausea, helps prevent anemia and reduces swelling. But pregnant women should not abuse this drink; the high content of vitamin C can cause allergies. The optimal daily dose for pregnant women is 1-2 cups.
What is known about the properties of chicory? More details
How to take chicory for weight loss?
Chicory helps you maintain a low-calorie diet. It dulls the feeling of hunger, gives a feeling of fullness, and also improves the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates and reduces cholesterol levels.
When losing weight, it is better to drink a chicory drink without sugar; if necessary, Roskachestvo experts advise adding a natural sweetener: stevia.
You should also not add milk or cream to chicory. Firstly, they increase the calorie content of the drink, and secondly, chicory in combination with cow's milk can cause stomach or intestinal upsets. You can replace cow's milk with vegetable milk.
Useful properties and applications
The benefits of regular consumption of chicory include improving digestion, giving strength and energy, and normalizing sleep. In addition, the following beneficial effects on the body are noted:
- vasodilation;
- sedative effect;
- cleansing the liver and kidneys;
- relief for women with menstrual pain;
- saturating the body with minerals and vitamins;
- fight against anemia;
- improvement of hair structure;
- reducing the likelihood of fungal infections;
- help with intestinal disorders;
- preventing the formation of wrinkles;
- acceleration of wound healing, protection against bacteria;
- restoration of collagen in skin cells.
It is recommended to drink no more than 4 cups of instant herbal drink per day. Do not pour boiling water over it, only warm milk or water. In folk medicine, chicory is used to treat infectious colds and anemia due to the general strengthening properties of the plant root. In addition, the drink is used to eliminate the symptoms of many ailments, as it has diuretic, choleretic and diaphoretic effects. Alcohol tinctures are made from the herb to help treat insect bites and cuts, as well as decoctions (for compresses and lotions) and teas.
Use for weight loss
A positive effect in losing excess weight is achieved due to the fact that chicory helps remove toxins and cleanse the blood of harmful impurities. In addition, the plant roots do not contain fats, and the energy value is very low.
To lose weight, you can regularly prepare a chicory-based decoction, which you should drink before meals 3 times a day (100 g each). To do this, add 500 ml of water to 1 tsp. crushed plant roots and boil for about 15 minutes. The finished drink is cooled and filtered. The decoction helps to lose excess weight and achieve a therapeutic effect. It restores the normal functioning of the liver, strengthens the immune system and eliminates excessive sweating. Thanks to the content of folic acid, the drink helps fight cellulite, giving the skin elasticity and firmness.
Is chicory allowed for pregnant and lactating women?
During pregnancy, you need to take a responsible approach to preparing your diet so as not to harm the baby. Eating chicory is allowed if there are no signs of deterioration in health. You should not get carried away with the drink if a pregnant woman is diagnosed with gastritis or an ulcer, due to the tonic properties of chicory. In addition, the roots of the plant contribute to the dilation of blood vessels, which will lead to undesirable effects in the presence of hemorrhoids or varicose veins.
During lactation, you can drink chicory if the child and mother do not have an allergic reaction to this plant. If no such problems are found, you can safely replace harmful coffee with a herbal drink. Chicory is especially useful for children with weak immunity and digestive problems. Recommended consumption is no more than 2 cups per day. To avoid unpleasant consequences, it is best to consult a gynecologist or pediatrician about the possibility of adding a herbal drink to the menu.
Can it be given to children?
If the child does not have a pronounced allergic reaction to this group of herbaceous plants, chicory can be consumed. It is best to give it to a baby over 2-3 years old, since there is a difference between the substances getting into breast milk and directly taking the product. Thanks to the beneficial properties of the plant’s root, the condition of the digestive system organs is normalized, the body’s tone increases, and the protective barrier is strengthened.
Chicory helps improve blood counts and normalize liver function in a child. Due to its ability to accelerate the synthesis of a certain group of fats in the body, the drink can be given to maintain weight at an optimal level. In addition, instant chicory with warm milk is useful in cold seasons, as it reduces the likelihood of colds. The recommended intake for children is no more than 2 cups.
Use for diabetes
Chicory drink is an ideal nutritional supplement for people suffering from various forms of diabetes. The product has a low glycemic index, so it can be included in the daily menu. A plant with antitoxic, wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties helps reduce glucose levels due to its ability to protect membrane structures in the pancreas.
To achieve maximum therapeutic effect, you can prepare a special decoction. To do this, you need to take a tablespoon of crushed roots and flowers of the herb, pour a glass of boiling water, and then keep it in a water bath for half an hour. It is recommended to take the strained and chilled drink three times a day, one-third of a glass.
Is it possible to have chicory at night?
Consuming soluble chicory in the morning allows you to start your metabolism and also recharge your energy for a long time. The drink can also be drunk at night. It is completely caffeine-free, so you don't have to worry about sleep disturbances. Chicory effectively protects against stress and emotional stress, helps normalize the functioning of the heart, and helps the intestines work faster and better.
How much chicory can you drink per day?
Adults without contraindications can consume up to 60 g of chicory per day. This is from three to five cups of drink, depending on the brewing strength.
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It is not recommended to exceed a daily dose of 50 g of chicory per day for patients with cholelithiasis, urolithiasis, or vascular diseases, including varicose veins.
People with individual food intolerance should completely avoid drinking this drink. Allergy sufferers and people with stomach ulcers and gastritis should treat chicory with caution. Patients with chronic diseases should consult a doctor before consuming chicory.
How to use instant chicory
Since the plant is a medicinal plant, it is important to know and follow the limits of its use. Doctors do not recommend taking more than 3 cups of chicory per day. In the vast majority of cases, a diet drink is extremely beneficial, especially if taken in reasonable quantities.
If you are on a diet and you are invited to a holiday, you should not deny yourself a pleasant pleasure and go against your desires. A drink from a medicinal plant can easily neutralize the harm of all sweets eaten.
The product can be purchased at a pharmacy or supermarket at a reasonable price.
Contraindications and harm
Nutrition experts and doctors do not recommend using chicory for weight loss if:
- pregnancy (depending on individual characteristics, a woman may develop allergies);
- breastfeeding (substances contained in the plant pass into breast milk and can cause an allergic reaction or other undesirable effects for the baby);
- gastritis and gastric ulcer (the drink irritates damaged mucous membranes);
- diseases of the vascular system;
- under 3 years of age.
Chicory should be used with caution for diseases of the respiratory system.
Sometimes a plant can cause harm to health, which consists of the following manifestations:
- overexcitement and insomnia;
- increased appetite;
- decrease in pressure.
Which chicory to buy in the store?
In the store you can find several types of chicory: roasted ground, liquid extract, granular soluble. You can purchase any of them if it meets the following conditions, as noted by Roskachestvo:
- Does not contain artificial additives, contains only chicory. Natural additives are possible: rose hips, ginger, ginseng, cinnamon, sea buckthorn, etc.
- No artificial flavors,
- Has sealed packaging.
- If it has the consistency of powder, then it is dry and without lumps.
In what form to use
To lose weight quickly and effectively, you need to know in what form to consume chicory.
Roots
During the peak season (second half of summer), the root contains the maximum amount of inulin (up to 75%). It would be ideal if you collect the raw materials yourself, dry them, grind them (in the same coffee grinder) and brew them as a homemade drink. For a glass of hot water - 1 or 2 tablespoons. You can simply steam it or keep it in a water bath for 10 minutes. Drink warm, adding milk or other ingredients to taste.
The prepared powder can also be added as a piquant spice with an unusual taste to low-calorie salads and soups that form the basis of the diet. The slight tonic effect will remain.
Some do not dry or grind the raw material, using it for weight loss, like parsley or horseradish root - stewing it with vegetables, preparing broths and other dishes based on it.
Instant chicory
If you don’t have time to do herbal collection, there is a more convenient and faster alternative - buy instant chicory in the store and brew it in the same way as regular coffee. But when buying such a product, always pay attention to the composition - the fewer impurities it contains, the better. In addition, different manufacturers may have different calorie content, and for weight loss this is one of the most important selection criteria.
Greenery
Much less commonly, chicory greens are used for weight loss (and in cooking in general). Fresh leaves are crushed and added to low-calorie summer salads. They fit perfectly into an alkaline diet.
With the world - one by one. In some countries, radicchio is grown, a leafy variety of chicory, which is used specifically for culinary purposes - for making salads.
