Chicory - properties and composition. The benefits and harms of chicory

Properties of chicory

Nutritional value and composition | Vitamins | Minerals

How much does chicory cost (average price for 1 pack)?

Moscow and Moscow region.

60 rub.

Chicory belongs to the genus of herbal plants from the Asteraceae family. Currently, only two types of chicory are cultivated on an industrial scale and for the purpose of further processing of the plant; the remaining varieties are classified as weeds and are not used in medicine or cooking. The following types of chicory that are eaten can be distinguished: common chicory and endive or salad chicory. The Mediterranean region is considered the birthplace of chicory.

In addition, chicory is found in temperate and tropical climates in areas such as New Zealand, Eurasia, Africa, Australia and South America. In its natural habitat, chicory chooses forest edges, meadows, wastelands and the sides of country roads to grow. In addition to the scientific name, there are a number of popular names for chicory. For example, roadside grass, Petrov's batogs or whip, blue flower, wild chicory or sherbak. The beneficial and healing properties of chicory have been known to people since time immemorial.

Therefore, in our time, thousands of hectares of agricultural land in the countries producing and procuring the plant are given over to the cultivation of chicory. Lettuce leaves and chicory root are used in cooking. The distinctive taste and beneficial properties of chicory originate in the chemical composition of the product. The rhizome and leaves of the plant contain a sufficient amount of biologically active natural compounds that bring tangible benefits to human health.

How to drink

A person who wants to lose weight knows that he will have to give up all foods containing large amounts of carbohydrates, fats, alcohol, and sometimes coffee. If you are used to starting your morning with this aromatic drink, but your diet prohibits it, then you should know how to drink chicory. The product has a specific taste, so you won’t be able to switch to it immediately when losing weight; you need to get used to it.

Try first stirring half and half with coffee in a bowl; over time, the dose of the second can be increased. In the end, you will completely give up caffeine and start the weight loss process. If you can’t get used to it, you can cook this product together with ginger, cinnamon, milk or honey. They will add a pleasant taste to the drink and make it richer.

With milk

This is an excellent combination for those people whose bodies are weakened after illness. Chicory with milk gives a feeling of fullness, cleanses the body, and delivers catalysts that stimulate the acceleration of metabolism. The only disadvantage of this compound is that pregnant women may develop allergies. At the moment, there are no clinical studies, so it is impossible to evaluate the effect of a drink with milk on the fetus. For everyone else, the drink does no harm and helps you stick to your chosen diet when losing weight. Calorie content - only 19 kcal per 100 g.

Composition of chicory

The chemical composition of chicory includes protein and tannins, as well as inulin, intibin and glycoside. The content of these substances in chicory causes bitterness in the taste of the plant. Young chicory leaves contain natural carotene and ascorbic acid, as well as potassium salts. The calorie content of chicory allows the product to be classified as dietary. 100 grams of the plant contains only 21 kcal. Such a uniquely low level of calorie content of chicory, as well as the vitamin and mineral composition of the plant, allows you to consume the product without fear for a slim figure.

How many calories are in compote without sugar?

Compote is a healthy drink for our body. Its valuable properties depend on the ingredients it contains. This is a traditional drink that is loved in every family.

Calories in dried fruit compote without sugar

The fruits included in the dried fruit compote do not contain fats or proteins. The carbohydrates in them are plant based. Organic acids give compote a sweet and sour taste. Doctors recommend the drink to their patients as a sweet substitute. It can be used by diabetics and those who are prone to obesity. The calorie content of a mug of compote without sugar is sixty calories.

Benefits of chicory

The benefits of chicory are due, first of all, to the chemical composition of the product, which is enriched with inulin. Dried chicory is used as an excellent alternative to coffee. In addition, true connoisseurs of the coffee drink add dried chicory root to natural coffee to enhance the taste and aroma. Not only the root, but also the green leaves of chicory are eaten. Breeders are constantly working on new varieties of endive or chicory.

The benefit of chicory lies in the antimicrobial properties possessed by the milky sap of the plant. Chicory improves digestion and also has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and heart function. The uniqueness of chicory lies in the fact that this plant is considered an essential ingredient in therapeutic nutrition for people who suffer from diabetes. Green leaves of chicory salad are used as a dietary and healthy food product.

Warning

You should not just assume that after drinking the drink you will immediately begin to lose weight.
It is very important to take into account the calorie content of food. An integrated approach will help achieve maximum effect. Chicory for weight loss is effective only if you count the calories consumed. Proper nutrition and taking chicory will help you achieve your cherished goal. In addition to the fact that you need to take into account the caloric content of food, you also need to do gymnastics and other procedures that promote weight loss. High calorie dishes will reduce the effect of the drink, then it will take too long to achieve success without seeing a good result. Therefore, before you decide to get rid of excess weight, you need to analyze your lifestyle. A little physical activity, proper nutrition, and drinking a healing drink made from chicory that can replace coffee are the ingredients that will help you lose weight.

The caloric content of dishes should be observed in any case, even if you do not set out to get rid of excess fat. There are many recipes with which you can eat well and lose weight, not forgetting about the unique drink and the rules for taking it. It is also necessary to remember that abuse of any remedy, even the most useful one, can cause a backlash.

You should be careful if you have severe forms of certain diseases, since the effect of chicory can aggravate poor health.

Harm of chicory

However, in addition to the obvious benefits, there is also harm from chicory, which can result in persistent allergic reactions for people who suffer from individual intolerance to the product. In addition, people suffering from gastritis and varicose veins should refrain from consuming chicory. In addition, the harm of chicory can be expressed in increased excitability and insomnia. Doctors advise undergoing a mandatory medical examination before using chicory-based medications. You should not self-medicate or take medications for no apparent reason.

How is soluble chicory harmful to the body?

3-4 tablespoons of powdered root per day will not harm most people. Main side effect: disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract. If you drink more than two cups of drink a day, you may develop:

• flatulence;
• severe diarrhea;
• stomach ache.

But pregnancy is not a contraindication. The main thing is not to abuse the drink. Women who are breastfeeding are advised to monitor the baby's reaction. In most cases, 150-200 ml of drink is not harmful. But some children react to chicory with increased nervous excitability. Pediatricians recommend giving the drink in an amount of 100-150 ml only after children turn 3 years old.

But if you have allergies, the drink is contraindicated. The body may react poorly to chicory if a person has allergic reactions to ragweed, chrysanthemum, chamomile, marigold, and other asteraceous plants. Massive angioedema will not occur, but a rash and a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract may appear.

Also, chicory in large quantities has a choleretic effect. Therefore, people with gallstones should avoid the drink. At the same time, a small amount of chicory powder has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Drink recipes

To diversify the taste sensations when consuming the root of the plant, nutritionists suggest using various recipes for preparing the drink with the addition of other ingredients.

Decoction

You should take two tablespoons of crushed dry root and cook in half a liter of water for 25 minutes. Use the drink cold and strain before use.

Infusion

One liter of boiling water requires 40 grams of the plant. The container must be covered and left to infuse for three hours. The resulting drink is filtered and consumed before meals, half a glass.

Instant chicory

Ready-made powder can be bought at the store. Brew half a tablespoon per 200 ml of boiling water for 10 minutes.

Chicory with ginger

Required:

• Chopped plant root - 2 tablespoons;
• Water – 0.5 liters;
• Ginger syrup – 2 tablespoons.

The drink is boiled for 20 minutes in water, after which syrup is added to it.

Chicory and coffee

The combined use of chicory root and ground coffee beans speeds up metabolism in the body, improves tone, and reduces appetite. To prepare an invigorating drink, take equal parts of coffee and chicory (recommended one teaspoon per 200 ml of water) and cook until boiling. For taste, you can add a little low-fat milk to the finished drink.

Chicory and apple juice

Initially, a regular 100 ml portion of the drink is prepared from soluble plant root powder. Next, add 30 ml of apple juice and half a teaspoon of honey to the container with the drink.

Dry matter content of chicory root

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Dry instant chicory: calorie content per 100 grams, nutritional value, vitamins, minerals

The calorie content of instant chicory per 100 grams is 276.5 kcal. 100 g of chicory powder contains:

• proteins – 4 g;
• fats – 0.1 g;
• carbohydrates – 64.9 g.

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The composition of 100 g of soluble chicory includes the following set of vitamins and minerals (in brackets, % of substances from the daily value of an adult):

• B1 (2.6);
• B2 (1.6);
• B5 (6.3);
• B6 (12);
• B9 (5.6);
• C (5.4);
• PP (1.9);
• potassium (11);
• calcium (4);
• magnesium (5.3);
• sodium (3.7);
• phosphorus (7.4);
• iron (4.3);
• manganese (11);
• copper (7.5);
• selenium (1,2);
• zinc (2.7).