Why instant chicory is useful and how to choose the right drink. As a condiment. Harm and contraindications of chicory

Not many people know that a weed with sky-blue flowers, growing in abundance along the roads, in fields and forests, is chicory. Since ancient times, it has been used as a coffee substitute - it was drunk by those who did not have enough money for an overseas drink. And in Soviet times, when nutritionists considered coffee a poison for the body, chicory became popular again. Even now, many doctors advise their patients, for one reason or another, to replace fragrant grains with instant chicory, the drinking rules of which are absolutely identical to the usual morning drink. Very often these recommendations apply to pregnant women. At the same time, compared to coffee, there will be no tangible harm to the body of the expectant mother and children.

The miraculous properties of a humble flower

How much benefit a modest-looking plant brings can be judged by the fact that everything is used - flowers, trunk, leaves and root. The latter contains the most useful substances for the body:

In addition to these components, chicory root contains many trace elements (iron, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, manganese), vitamins (A, B1, B2, C, E, PP), essential oils, saccharides, tannins and resinous substances, folic acid, proteins .

How to drink chicory?

The industry produces chicory in two forms: soluble and liquid. Although liquid is more convenient to use and harder to fake, the concentration of inulin in it is minimal. The absence of this component increases appetite, which is not at all suitable for those who monitor their weight.

Soluble chicory is a dark brown powder. It retains a high content of inulin (up to 60%). When buying, shake the hermetically sealed product to make sure there are no lumps or sticky particles.

To get a healthy drink, you just need to add one teaspoon of chicory root powder to a cup and pour it with hot, but not boiling water. When using a liquid concentrate, half a teaspoon is enough.

Those who know how to drink chicory often add milk, cream, sugar, or honey. And how much to add is a matter of taste for everyone.

For those who want to lose weight and at the same time raise immunity, it is recommended to add a small piece of ginger to the drink and insist for several minutes. Ginger will give a sour lemon flavor.

Some prefer a different recipe:

put 1 tsp of chicory powder and honey in a Turk;
pour 150 ml of water there;
put on fire and do not remove until a high foam appears;
then pour into cups, where you can add milk or cream.

Depending on the purpose, many people add rose hips, barley, ginger, cinnamon, and even rice to the chicory drink.

These preparation methods are indicated for purchased instant chicory. Those who do not really trust store and pharmacy products - for example, nursing mothers - can be advised to prepare raw materials with their own hands. To do this, you need to dig up the root of the plant, wash it thoroughly, dry it and cut it into small pieces. After that, fry everything in a pan without adding oil or water until a beautiful brown-black hue is obtained. "Blank" should be stored in a container with a tight lid. Immediately before use, grind the dried root in a coffee grinder, taking as much raw material as necessary to prepare one serving. In this case, you can be sure of the benefits of the product for adults and children.

The resulting raw material is brewed as follows:

2 tablespoons of dried chicory root are poured into a glass of water;
bring to a boil and continue to cook for 10-20 minutes;
then insist for an hour and filter.

Indications and contraindications

Undeniable advantages

The healing properties of chicory have been studied for a long time. A decoction of this plant is used to treat and prevent many different diseases. A drink from the root of this plant is useful in the following cases:

due to mild laxative properties, gently cleanses the intestines, removes toxins and toxins;
improves metabolism and pancreatic activity, which is very important during pregnancy, because this quality helps to get rid of heartburn, which often torments women;
unlike coffee, soluble chicory does not contain caffeine, which has a stimulating effect on the body. The root of the plant has a sedative effect, normalizing sleep and overall tone, so it can be used not only during the day, but also at night;
the presence of iron in the composition will help to cope with a slight anemia and increase hemoglobin;
if it is impossible to use milk in its pure form, it contributes to its better absorption from other products;
due to its diuretic properties, it cleanses the kidneys, removes excess fluid from the body, reduces swelling - this is also a common problem during pregnancy. The main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise there may be dehydration.
when blood sugar rises, it will help to normalize its level. How much chicory can be per day - the doctor will definitely tell you.

Contraindications

But for all its positive qualities, soluble chicory also has contraindications. There are not very many of them:

phlebeurysm;
haemorrhoids;
urolithiasis disease;
bronchial asthma and cough;
diseases of the liver and gastrointestinal tract, categorically impossible - during an exacerbation;
the period of taking antibiotics;
allergic reaction to the plant;
with caution - with depression, insomnia, stress.

Chicory during pregnancy and lactation

With the usual habit of women to doubt everything, this situation during pregnancy is greatly aggravated. But in this case, this is not necessary: soluble chicory is not only not harmful, but even useful when carrying crumbs. But even in the case when a pregnant woman or a breastfeeding mother, according to indications, can drink soluble chicory without restrictions, one should not forget about the measure: 2 cups a day is the maximum amount in a similar position.

Avid "coffee addicts" who do not have enough willpower to immediately give up their favorite drink can be advised the following method of switching to instant chicory:

on the first day, put 3 parts of coffee and 1 part of chicory into a cup;
the next day, change the dose: now it will be two equal parts of both;
the next step is point 1 on the contrary: 1:3;
and, finally, on the last day - to completely exclude coffee from the drink.

Everything is clear with the pregnancy period - chicory is very useful for the expectant mother. But further...

On the question of whether it is possible to drink chicory while breastfeeding, experts do not have a consensus. But in most cases, doctors do not recommend drinking this drink for a nursing mother. And here are the reasons why:

a woman may have a decrease in the amount of milk;
an allergy to the components of the drink in the baby is possible;
some components have a strong exciting effect on children.

Of course, if you really want to, then a nursing mother can treat herself. But at the same time, it is necessary to pay close attention to your baby - how he will react to the appearance of chicory in his "menu". At the first warning signs, you should stop drinking the drink.

Chicory is quite capable of benefiting children as well - for example, with diathesis, you can add a decoction of the stem and flowers of the plant to the bathing water.

No matter how good this or that “gift of nature” is, it is always better to consult with your doctor before use. Only he can tell how much, when and how you can use the infusion for adults and children. This is especially true for the happy period of pregnancy. After all, the main thing is not to harm the health of the expectant mother and baby!

A drink made from chicory root is popular with people who are harmed by coffee. The plant, similar to it in taste and smell, contains magnesium and potassium, the benefits of which are indispensable for the heart.

What is instant chicory made of?

Chicory is made from the dried roots of the common dandelion. To obtain a soluble form, a liquid concentrate is first released, from which a powder is made, by evaporating the excess liquid.

The useful substances obtained by extraction have a unique taste and smell reminiscent of coffee.

On a note! Fragrant instant drink with a pleasant bitterness perfectly complements the breakfast of a person adhering to a healthy diet. Plus, it's easy to prepare. It is enough to pour hot water into a cup with powder.

How many calories in chicory

Nutritionists know how many calories are in a soluble product. In 100 g of powder, the calorie content does not exceed 11 kcal.

Chicory contains:

4.0 g of proteins,
68.0 g carbohydrates,
0 g fat.

The composition of the prepared drink includes useful substances:

intibin glycoside, which gives the drink a unique taste;
fructose;
organic acids;
resins;
tannin components;
pectins;
vitamins - C, group B, carotene;
minerals - K, Mg, Fe, Na, P, Ca.

The root is valued for the presence in its composition of the polysaccharide inulin, which regulates several biochemical processes in the body.

Properties of soluble chicory and contraindications

The valuable properties of chicory are determined by the incoming substances. Instant drink has a beneficial effect on the activity of the heart and digestive system. The product has practically no contraindications.

Chicory "multilaterally" affects the body:

As a coffee substitute, chicory root does not contain caffeine, which means it does not increase blood pressure.
The inulin included in it increases the absorption of calcium, maintaining the health of bones and teeth. It also improves digestion.
Chicory is rich in potassium, an essential element for heart contraction.
Magnesium in its composition helps to cope with heartbeat, arrhythmia, regulates blood pressure. It also fights nighttime leg cramps.
Iron maintains the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
Improves intestinal peristalsis and normalizes the microflora, while suppressing pathogenic microorganisms.
Accelerates the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, thereby removing harmful cholesterol, toxins and toxins.

By the way! Inulin normalizes blood sugar, slowing down the absorption of carbohydrates, so it is recommended for diabetics.

Chicory can reduce the feeling of hunger. Nutritionists have developed the Appetite Control drink. For weight loss, it is recommended to drink a cup of the drink an hour before breakfast and lunch. This technique, combined with a low-calorie diet, allows you to get rid of 1 kg per week.

The advantage of the product is that it does not contain GMOs. The drink can be consumed by children from 7 years of age.

Chicory is safe, but:

can cause allergies in people with hypersensitivity to related plants - acacia, daisies, chrysanthemums;
do not brew a drink for patients with stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids or hyperacid gastritis;
it is not recommended to get involved in it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Soluble chicory: benefits and harms, how much you can drink per day

The amount of inulin affects how much of the drink you can drink. If you purchased the 30% powder, 2 cups of chicory per day will provide health benefits. There is no harm from a soluble drink of a lower concentration.

If you like its aroma and taste, continue to use in any quantity.

To enjoy drinking, make sure that the product is not adulterated.

A rich line of chicory products is represented by NovaProduct AG.

Kefir with chicory, benefits and harms

Usually kefir with leaf or dry chicory is drunk for weight loss.

The benefit of this mix is that both products:

reduce appetite,
speed up metabolism.

Such a mixture can be harmful when:

After a combined drink taken twice a day 30 minutes before a meal, the feeling of hunger is dulled. Since the food eaten is digested faster, less of it goes into fat.

Against the background of low-calorie products, kefir with chicory is consumed for several months. The weight loss is slow but steady.

Chicory with stevia, benefits and harms

For diabetics, the benefits of stevia are in the use of sugar substitutes made from it: tablets, powder. The distribution network has a drink with chicory. As with any plant, harm can be in the form of an allergy.

Interesting fact! The sweetness of the plant is 30 times higher than that of sugar. Despite this, the calorie content per 100 grams of dry powder is 18 kcal. The product dissolves in any liquid, does not break down at high temperature.

Chicory benefits diabetics, overweight people. The drink is enjoyed as a decaffeinated coffee substitute by people with heart disease. Harm from it happens with a stomach ulcer.

Source http://life-kiss.ru/napitok-tsikoriy-polza-i-vred.html

Chicory, the benefits and harms, how much you can drink per day, largely depends on the individual characteristics of the body, the presence or absence of contraindications. It is a plant with a bitter taste that resembles roasted coffee beans. The shops sell ready-made drink in the form of powder and extract, which is brewed like tea.

Chicory, plant photo and brief description

Chicory belongs to the Compositae inflorescence. Plant height reaches up to 70 centimeters. Flowers are painted in a pale blue hue. To obtain medicinal raw materials, two types of chicory are specially cultivated, but there are 4 more wild ones. In medicine, ordinary and salad are used.

The roots and stem of the plant are taken as raw materials. Fresh leaves are rich in vitamins. Greens can be added to salads, first and second courses. To improve the taste of coffee, dried, roasted and crushed roots of the plant are used. You can also make a separate drink from them. It will taste like coffee.

Chicory, the photo of which is in this article, is valued for the healing properties of fresh juice. It is squeezed out of the tops of the stems. The plant is taken just before flowering. The stems are ground into gruel. Then she pushes up. The juice can be boiled for 3 minutes and then stored in a glass container in the refrigerator. For consumption, one tablespoon of liquid is taken and dissolved in a glass of milk.

In ancient Egypt, chicory was used as an antidote for scorpion and tarantula stings. The root has been used to treat many diseases (gout, gastrointestinal tract, eye, etc.). Today, factories produce a condensed extract from this part of the plant. Medicinal drinks are prepared from it.

Useful properties of decoctions and infusions of chicory

Chicory has several names, one of them is Petrov Batog. The plant has many medicinal properties. Removes toxins from the body. Chicory, the benefits and harms, how much you can drink per day, depends on the disease. For example, with pancreatitis, a drink is taken at 200 ml per day. Chicory is rich in:

proteins;
tannin compounds;
essential oils;
organic acids;
resins;
carotene;
inulin;
fructose;
mineral salts;
levulose;
choline;
pentosans.

The plant contains many macro- and microelements (magnesium, zinc, calcium, etc.). Chicory is rich in vitamins, inulin is especially valuable. It is a polymer of fructose, which is actively involved in metabolic processes.

Useful properties of chicory

antimicrobial;
restorative;
anti-inflammatory;
vasodilators;
antipyretic;
choleretic;
hypoglycemic;
tonic;
diuretics.

With alcohol poisoning or frequent use of alcoholic beverages, chicory removes accumulated toxins from the body. The plant extract is used as an aid in the treatment of the urological system. Chicory is recommended for overweight, skin diseases, for the regulation of the heart.

The drink does not increase blood pressure, so it can be used by hypertensive patients. However, hypotensive patients should use chicory with caution, as it slightly reduces blood pressure. Chicory is used as an adjuvant in diseases of the liver, kidneys and spleen.

The drink helps to cope with osteochondrosis and arthritis. If you drink chicory daily with the addition of parsley, celery and carrots, then a person's vision gradually improves. The plant well improves immunity, activates hair growth and restores their structure.

A decoction of chicory stimulates appetite, cleanses blood vessels and normalizes intestinal microflora. The drink is able to relieve fatigue, give strength and cope with heartburn. The plant slows down cirrhosis of the liver. Infusions and decoctions are used for flatulence, scurvy, diabetes. Chicory drink can be drunk during pregnancy. This helps prevent heartburn, nausea and swelling.

How many cups of chicory can you drink per day and how to take the drink

The drink is consumed in different dosages. For example, how many cups of chicory can be drunk per day for preventive purposes: to prevent colds, disorders of the nervous and circulatory systems, etc. a decoction is made from the plant. The stem and root are taken, crushed and poured into a container (1 tablespoon each), then poured with a glass of boiling water.

You need to cook the remedy for 30 minutes. Then cool and strain. It is used three times, a third of a glass before meals. Chicory, benefits and harms, how much can you drink per day? Without restrictions, the drink can not be consumed. You can drink a maximum of three cups per day, in the best case - two. It is best to drink the drink 45 minutes before a meal.

Chicory instant, features and scope

Soluble chicory successfully replaces coffee. The drink calms the nervous system, helps with insomnia. In this case, chicory should be drunk before bedtime. The drink has antipyretic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial action.

Source http://sredstva-narodnye.ru/tsikoriy-polza-vred-skolko-pit/

Coffee, like tea, in large quantities causes adverse effects: the excretion of iron, vitamins, trace elements, which leads to anemia, deterioration in the health of hair and nails.

How to replace tea and coffee, such drinks familiar in everyday life? One such substitute is chicory. Chicory is a plant of the Asteraceae family. Especially common in Altai and Western Siberia.

Chicory root powder, which can be up to 15 meters long, is used as an alternative to coffee. A drink made from chicory root tastes like natural coffee, however, unlike it, it does not contain caffeine and is very useful.

Chicory root

Useful properties of soluble chicory

Rich in B vitamins, vitamin C, pectin, carotene, organic acids, micro and macro elements, tannins and proteins, essential oils, mineral salts. It has a wide range of therapeutic effects on the body.

What is useful chicory for the body:

When used rationally, it is useful for adults. Pregnant women and children - at the discretion of the doctor.

Chicory inulin - what is it?

Chicory contains inulin (up to 60%) - a fructose polymer, an organic substance, a natural sugar antagonist. Reduces blood glucose. The properties of inulin (fructosan) contribute to the use of chicory in the treatment of diabetes mellitus as an adjuvant.

What is the benefit of inulin in chicory, besides the effect on sugar? Inulin is a type of fiber that serves as food for the bifidobacteria of the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, the intestinal microflora is normalized, the problems associated with the disorder of the stool (treatment of constipation) are eliminated.

Inulin stimulates the absorption of minerals and vitamins, improving metabolism.

How to drink chicory?

To prepare a drink from instant chicory, pour it with hot water and let it brew (200 ml of water per couple of teaspoons of powder). Do not overdo it with sugar, as the drink that replaces coffee has a sweet taste on its own.

Chicory drink as a coffee substitute

How much can you drink soluble chicory per day?

There are no official recommendations regarding the frequency and duration of use. Here individual characteristics are taken into account. Some argue that no more than 100 grams per day and no more than 2 cups. It is better to drink in the first half of the day.

Chicory with milk: benefits and harms.

Milk hinders the absorption of iron. Vegetable milk is added instead of cow's milk. If, nevertheless, “coffee lovers” cannot do without caffeine, then you can add a fifth of natural coffee to an instant drink. This measure will gradually get rid of addiction.

Which chicory is better: instant or liquid?

Varieties of chicory: ground (for making a drink, made from a fried root) and chicory in liquid form (concentrated extract).

Ground instant chicory

Soluble chicory should not contain lumps. Should have a bitter taste, produced in sealed packaging. Flavorings are not allowed in the composition, as they reduce useful properties. Of the additives, natural plant extracts (for example, ginger or rose hips) are allowed. You can improve the taste by adding lemon or honey, however, this will affect the calorie content.

Liquid extract of chicory - the highest concentration of nutrients. It's harder to fake and easy to store. It is drunk in a diluted form with increased excitability, to combat insomnia, and is also added to confectionery as a flavoring.

Liquid chicory extract

Soluble chicory is not inferior to decoction in terms of useful properties.

Who should not drink chicory?

Despite the content of a mass of useful substances, the question arises: can there be harm from chicory? Excessive consumption of it can be harmful to health. Consultation of the attending physician is necessary.

Chicory contraindications:

Vascular diseases, varicose veins, hemorrhoids. Among the contraindications are also gastritis, peptic ulcer. It is worth considering the individual intolerance of the components, especially vitamin C.
Too much damages the liver. Sometimes it can increase appetite and lead to overexcitation. Not recommended for people prone to arousal.
Chicory should not be drunk with asthma, bronchitis, cough, as it may increase. Refrain from drinking at low pressure.
In large quantities, it is not permissible during pregnancy, breastfeeding. Given the choleretic effect, with caution in the presence of gallstones.

How much you can drink soluble chicory per day without harm - depends on the initial state of health, individual characteristics and the presence of contraindications. Once considered a weed, chicory has now gained a lot of popularity as a dietary supplement due to its many medicinal properties.

Chicory is an attractive plant with blue flowers and an equally attractive name in the old days was considered a weed and a cheap coffee substitute. But, over the past few decades, the root has gained immense popularity as a dietary supplement due to its many medicinal properties.

The whole plant is used for food without residue: root, stem and leaves. But as a means for losing weight, only the root of the plant is suitable, since its leaves can increase appetite.

Read below about how to use chicory for weight loss, and now I will briefly talk about the beneficial properties of the plant and its effect on our body.

Useful properties of chicory

In many countries, regular ground coffee is mixed with soluble ground chicory root to balance the taste, counteract the acidity and adverse effects of caffeine on the stomach.
Most people use chicory root as a diuretic and laxative to treat constipation and other intestinal disorders of digestive origin.
Despite the bitter taste, chicory leaves are boiled and added to salads as flavorings. In the food industry, chicory root extract is used to make artificial sweeteners.
Chicory root is endowed with anti-inflammatory and antacid properties and can help with skin problems such as acne, sunburn, and cuts.
The plant contains high levels of inulin and play an important role in reducing the risk of bowel cancer. Also, its medicinal properties are used to treat hemorrhoids.
The medicinal properties of chicory root extract are used to combat heart disease, as well as to treat joint problems such as arthritis and rheumatism.
Drinking the root is useful for people suffering from disorders of the nervous system.
It is especially useful for women. Chicory root can reduce the development of yeast infections and ease the pain of painful periods.
Helping to improve the absorption of calcium and magnesium, it is especially useful for adolescents and women during menopause.
Drinking ground soluble chicory is good for blood and liver cleansing, as well as for controlling blood glucose levels.

Chicory for weight loss

The advantage of chicory root for weight loss is its positive effect on the digestive system. It is an excellent source of fructooligosaccharides, which help stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.

Cleansing the liver, blood and intestines, it improves metabolism and helps to part with unnecessary kilograms much faster and easier.

By enjoying a healthy drink, we increase the rate of fat breakdown and reduce the level of insulin in the blood.

An additional benefit for weight loss is that the plant increases satiety.

A decoction of chicory can be combined with a decoction of wild rose, sea buckthorn, blueberries.

Delicious and no calories Why peas are useful for weight loss and how to cook delicious dietary pea porridge. Can it be eaten for breakfast or dinner.

How to drink chicory to lose weight

If this useful plant grows in your garden, then you can cook a decoction of chicory for weight loss yourself.

For this:

Root cut into small pieces
Fry in a dry frying pan until a beautiful brown-black color.
Cool and store in a closed glass jar.
Grind fried roots preferably before cooking.

Recipe for making a decoction of chicory for weight loss. Ratio: 2 teaspoons (without a slide) per 200 ml of water. Bring to a boil, let it brew for ten minutes and drink twice a day, one hour before meals.

During fasting days, it is useful to eat salads with the addition of green leaves of the plant. Chicory goes well with nuts, cucumber, parsley, apples. These salads are seasoned with yogurt or sour cream.

How many times a day can you drink chicory

Despite the usefulness of the plant, it is not recommended to drink more than 2 cups of this drink per day.

How to drink instant chicory instead of natural coffee

Many coffee lovers are not immediately able to switch to a more healthy, but less tasty substitute for an invigorating drink. I am also a terrible coffee lover, but health dictates its conditions to us, not noticing our tastes and preferences.

Of course, not everyone will succeed in immediately switching to soluble chicory, you need to get used to it gradually. To begin with, I prepared my morning coffee in the following proportion - 1 part of chicory to 3 parts of natural coffee. The total number of components put to your taste. Someone prefers strong coffee, and someone weak. How to drink and drink, the main thing is to keep the proportion. But no more than 2 teaspoons of chicory per cup of boiling water.

Gradually level the proportion and bring it to 1:1. Then bring the proportion to 1:3 (1 part coffee to 3 parts chicory). And after getting used to it, you can completely exclude coffee and switch to chicory in its pure form (without coffee). This transition is less painful for the body.

How to use chicory against cellulite

Poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle and genetic inheritance are a favorable environment for the development of cellulite.

Replacing morning coffee with a cup of aromatic chicory drink, we not only help the body fight excess weight, but also fight back against cellulite.

A cup of decoction of the plant contains up to 50% of the recommended daily intake of folic acid. This acid is needed for the production of new cells. With a sufficient amount of folic acid in the body, the elasticity of the skin increases, which makes the skin fresher, healthier and significantly reduces the appearance of cellulite.
Just one cup of chicory contains 36% of the daily requirement of vitamin A. This vitamin increases the production of collagen in the skin, which protects the skin from infections and relieves irritation, which significantly improves the appearance of the skin.
Chicory root contains a large supply of vitamin C. A cup of decoction of this plant contains almost 1/3 of the daily value. Chicory is recognized as a powerful antioxidant and protects cells from free radicals that age the skin. We also need this vitamin to produce collagen, the “youth” protein that heals the skin and makes it fresher and velvety.
Ground chicory root is used for massage and body wraps against cellulite. With anti-inflammatory properties, it relieves irritation and swelling, makes the skin soft and velvety.

Contraindication

Due to the high content of calcium oxalate, chicory is contraindicated in people prone to urolithiasis and varicose veins.

respiratory diseases - asthma, chronic bronchitis
diseases of the digestive system - ulcers, gastritis, diseases of the duodenum
liver diseases

You should not abuse the drink during treatment for depression, stress or insomnia.

If you are allergic to ragweed, you may also have an allergic reaction to chicory root.

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

What is useful chicory

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

The plant is useful for stimulating metabolic processes, heart activity, slowing down the rhythm of its contractions and increasing amplitude, lowering blood pressure due to the vasodilating effect, and normalizing the level.

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

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

Calming properties are used in case of insomnia, neurosis and stress. Chicory improves mood, gives strength and vigor, helps to cope with a breakdown.

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

Chicory is useful both when used alone and in combination with other medicinal plants, enhances 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, salads are prepared from the leaves. Fresh or dried stems, flowers, leaves bring health benefits.

Composition of chicory

The beneficial properties of chicory are due to its biologically active substances:

The root contains a mass of inulin (up to 60% 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.

As part of chicory, 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 diseases of the skeleton, is water-soluble, removes harmful substances from the body, and improves the general condition.

The use of chicory improves digestion, it is useful for the intestinal microflora, stimulates an increase in the number of bifidobacteria, and normalizes cholesterol metabolism. It is used for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, 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 action, the content of inulin is almost halved, glucose and fructose are formed - simple sugars that give the drink a sweetish aftertaste. The roots change color, become brown, brittle and fragrant.

Under the action of hot water, an extract is obtained from the roasted roots, and the finished powder is dried. It remains to brew instant chicory with boiling water - the coffee is ready.

At home, the roots are dried, the temperature in the oven is gradually brought up from the initial + 50C to + 180C. The readiness is signaled 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.

To prepare a coffee drink, various recipes are used:

Place the powder in a cup, brew with boiling water at the rate of 1 tsp. chicory in a glass, insist.
Pour the powder with cold water, bring to a boil in a cezve over low heat, so that 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 to cope with constipation, which is especially important when.

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

Popular recipes with chicory

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

Useful properties of chicory in depression, loss of strength

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

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

Gargle.

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

Gargle warmly every half an hour. Every hour, take 1 s.l. orally. composition: in 1/4 cup of chicory infusion, add the juice of one clove of garlic.

Brew 2s.l. 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 on low heat for 15 minutes, let cool, strain. Add 2s.l. honey and 1 tsp. fruit vinegar.

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

Grate the root on a fine grater, get the juice.

Take 1 tsp. before meals.

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

Brew 2s.l. 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. Treatment 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 with honey 1/4 cup half an hour before meals.

Inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).

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

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

Mix 2 parts of chicory horses and leaves, 1 part of valerian roots, herbs, hop cones. Brew 1s.l. mixture with a glass of boiling water, insist, 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 in half with milk. Its daily use in compliance with the 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 the diet. Their lack disrupts 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 with honey a quarter cup half an hour before meals during the day.

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

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

How to drink chicory for diseases of the heart or blood vessels

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

Take 20 drops per sugar cube after meals.

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

Take 2 s.l. 3 times a day to relieve edema associated with insufficient heart function and stimulate its activity.

Cardiac ischemia.

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

Eat during the day.

Frequent heartbeats (tachycardia).

Mix equal parts creeping thyme grass and chicory, brew 1 tbsp. mixture of 500 ml of boiling water, wrap well and leave for 30 minutes, strain.

Drink during the day in four divided doses.

Decreased concentration of hemoglobin in the blood (anemia).

Cut off young shoots during flowering, scald with boiling water, pass through a meat grinder, squeeze, boil the juice for 10 minutes over low heat.

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

High blood pressure ().

Pour 1s.l. 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, you can add honey and lemon. Treat for two weeks.

Strengthening blood vessels.

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

Take 1/3 cup before meals.

Useful properties of chicory in diabetes

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

Brew 1s.l. a 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 half an hour before meals 1/3 cup 3 times a day.

Brew 2 cl of a mixture of chicory roots and burdock 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.

Benefits of chicory for weight loss

Medicinal plant helps to cope with excess weight. It contains pectins, they reduce the feeling of hunger, reduce appetite, prolong the feeling of satiety.

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

You should not use fees for weight loss during pregnancy, as well as in case of diseases of the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract.

Recipe for reducing appetite and losing weight:

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

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

Recipe for removing harmful substances:

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

Take before meals three times a day, 30 ml.

Recipe for the normalization of the intestines, excretion of fluid from the body:

Mix 80g of chicory herb, 10g of coltsfoot, blackberry, birch leaves. Brew 1s.l. mixture of 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 the benefits, chicory, when consumed excessively, can cause excessive appetite and lead to obesity.

Reception of infusion of the plant is contraindicated in case of exacerbation of the duodenum.

Simultaneous intake of infusion and antibiotics can interfere with the absorption of the drug.

Drinks with chicory are contraindicated in children under three years of age, their nervous system is not fully formed.

Excessive consumption of chicory can cause vitamin C hypervitaminosis. It is worth refusing to take it if you are allergic to ascorbic acid.

Chicory dilates blood vessels, this useful property can be harmful with varicose veins and hemorrhoids.

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

With some varieties of gastritis, the use of chicory is contraindicated and can be harmful.

Long-term use 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, under reduced pressure this can be harmful, as it will decrease even more.

Modified: 02/11/2019

Chicory is often used as a healthier alternative to coffee. In this case, the beneficial properties of chicory are manifested in the way that a person consumes a drink that does not have such a negative effect on the body as coffee and even tea. This means that it loads your body with harmful substances less and feels much better.

Our company offers instant chicory, which is prepared as simply as the well-known instant coffee. Pour a teaspoon of the powder into hot water and enjoy! You can add milk or cream to taste. But it is worth talking about sugar separately.

Is it possible to drink chicory without sugar and with pleasure?

It is possible and necessary! A pleasant surprise for those who monitor weight and blood sugar levels is that chicory does not need to be added sugar: it is sweet without it, and this sweetness is healthy. It's all about inulin - a natural polysaccharide, a polymer of fructose, whose content in chicory ranges from 40% to 60%. It not only makes the drink sweet, but also takes care of your health: it improves metabolism and promotes the removal of harmful substances (toxins, cholesterol, heavy metals) from the body. This makes chicory useful for those who want to lose weight and for diabetics. But do not confuse inulin with insulin: despite the similarity of names, they have fundamentally different properties and mechanisms of action.

Chicory: how often can you drink?

Despite the wonderful properties of chicory, we do not recommend getting carried away and drinking it too often. The fact is that it depends on the dosage of any product whether it will bring benefit or harm. Chicory is no exception and should be consumed in moderation. Here is the question that people who want to try chicory ask: how much can you drink this drink in order to get a good result and not harm your health? As a rule, one or two cups a day is enough, but three is too much. Consuming this tasty instant drink instead of coffee regularly and in moderation, you will feel an improvement in your well-being. Most importantly - do not forget to read the contraindications!

Why should you drink chicory instead of coffee and tea?

It is rare to find a person who does not drink tea or coffee every day. These popular drinks are so deeply rooted in our lives that their use has become a daily ritual. But the habit of drinking tea or coffee, unfortunately, cannot be called useful.

First, these drinks contain caffeine. And few people know that green tea has much more caffeine than coffee! This information is surprising, because it is green tea that is considered the most useful, pacifying drink. In fact, caffeine got its name from the fact that it was originally found in coffee beans. In green tea, it was found later, and in greater quantities - therefore, this drink, unfortunately, cannot be regarded as a daily acceptable alternative to coffee.

Why is caffeine harmful, and is it worth giving up the usual joys because of its harm? Many people around the world refuse caffeine for the simple reason that it negatively affects well-being, often making it difficult to solve everyday tasks, engage in physical activity, and simply enjoy life. The fact is that this chemical compound increases vascular tone and is contraindicated in people who have problems with high blood pressure. And, unfortunately, many suffer from it. Hence the weakness, dizziness, general deterioration of well-being and performance.

Chicory root is caffeine free, so you can enjoy a hot, delicious drink every day without breaking your favorite habit and feel better than if you continued to drink tea or coffee.