Coffee or chicory: which is he althier, taste, effects on the body, benefits and harms, reviews

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Today, the question remains what is more useful - coffee or chicory? They are asked by many people who want to maintain their he alth and receive only benefit from such drinks. It is impossible to give an unequivocal answer to this question, since both coffee and chicory have their own characteristics. Each of these drinks has advantages and disadvantages that should be discussed separately.

The article provides information on whether it is possible to use chicory as a coffee substitute. The benefits and harms, composition and taste of both products are described below. All this is important to know for every person who is fond of such drinks, but does not want to suffer from them.

Chicory

Answering the question about the benefits of chicory instead of coffee, you should first find out what the first product is. In fact, he hasvery interesting properties. This root is often used as a substitute for regular coffee, which some people love to drink right after waking up. Its taste and aroma are close to a coffee drink, but chicory also has its own specifics. The root of the plant, as a rule, people choose for the simple reason that it brings more benefits than coffee. In addition, it is even allowed to consume babies over three years old and the elderly. And to better understand this issue, it is worth considering the features of drinks separately.

Benefit

It is good to know about the benefits of coffee and chicory for every consumer who abuses at least one of these products. First of all, we need to talk about the benefits of the second drink.

Chicory is recommended for people suffering from the following ailments and problems:

• eczema;
• malaria;
• overweight;
• jaundice;
• jade;
• nocturnal enuresis;
• diseases of the stomach and intestines;
• anemia;
• excessive sweating;
• insomnia;
• heart failure;
• gallstone disease.

It is also worth noting that chicory coffee is good for diabetes. Although some patients have little faith in this fact, doctors have confirmed its veracity more than once.

The product in question has a positive effect on the human body, because it has the following properties:

• tonic;
• choleretic;
• sugar-reducing;
• immunity booster;
• anti-inflammatory;
• antimicrobial.

Chicory root is also actively used in the field of cosmetology. There, it is customary to make all kinds of masks, decoctions and infusions from it, which restore the production of collagen, thereby providing an increase in the elasticity and firmness of the skin.

Composition

Many people ask what is he althier - coffee or chicory, without even thinking about the composition of these products. Speaking about the second drink, it should be noted that it is rich in useful components. For example, it contains a whole complex of vitamins A, PP, C, E, group B, as well as trace elements (magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, manganese), due to which it is called therapeutic. Additionally, it contains tannin and protein compounds. A special role is played by:

• inulin, which makes it possible for diabetics to drink a drink;
• intibine and a glycoside that provide the characteristic flavor of chicory - slight bitterness.

Also, people sometimes ask about the calorie content of this product. Fortunately, it is not too large - exactly 21 kcal per 100 grams, so the drink can be safely classified as dietary.

Harm

Chicory, replacing coffee, can also have a negative effect on the human body. But it should be noted right away that this happens only if it is consumed in excessive amounts daily.

As adverse effectsperforming:

• acute stomach pains;
• vascular disease;
• individual intolerance;
• lowering blood pressure.

Varieties

To understand whether it is useful to drink chicory instead of coffee, you need to know what varieties of the first exist. It varies depending on the type of processing. To date, commercially available: liquid extract, ground root and soluble powder. The very first variety is considered to be the most useful. This is explained by the fact that when obtaining a liquid extract, they do not resort to heat treatment, this allows you to save all the useful substances in it. If you prepare a drink from such chicory, the process will be very easy and fast. Other types of product also have their own characteristics:

1. Grounded and roasted. Such chicory in the manufacture is subjected to cleaning, drying, roasting, as well as fine grinding of the roots. The result is a natural product with a pronounced aroma and taste. Due to the absence of chemical elements in the composition, it only has a positive effect on the human body. In addition, there are many ways to prepare a drink. It is worth noting that the recipe is similar to brewing regular coffee.
2. Soluble. The product in the form of a powder is made from a concentrate of roasted and small roots. Here, the cooking process consists only in dissolving the composition in hot water. By the appearance of the goods, you can immediately determine that there are no lumps and foreign elements in it. The main thing with himstorage - the jar must be hermetically sealed so that moisture does not get into the powder.

Coffee

The drink itself is known to many people. It is usually drunk in the morning to recharge your batteries and tune in to a new working day. But is coffee really worth it? The drink has a lot of positive and negative sides, so every person should ask himself the question of taking it.

Special attention should be paid to the question of whether chicory is suitable as a coffee substitute. The benefits and harms of the second are very interesting. It is quite possible that some people will give preference to him, since there really are reasons for this. Although, looking at the situation from the other side, the shortcomings may be more significant.

Useful properties

Coffee has a certain effect on the consumer's body. It not only helps to wake up, but also:

• accelerates metabolic processes;
• increases resistance to stressful situations;
• effectively fights depression;
• prevents gout and gallstone disease;
• improves memory;
• reduces appetite.

Moreover, the drink in question has anti-cancer and antioxidant properties. This should also be attributed to its benefits.

Negatives

Speaking of which is he althier - coffee or chicory, you should definitely consider the disadvantages of both drinks. The second has already beendescribed above, and now you need to pay attention to the first. So, coffee can contribute to the appearance of the following:

• sleep disorder;
• increase in blood pressure;
• headaches;
• general weakness;
• increased blood cholesterol levels;
• appearance of composition dependence;
• deterioration of the appearance of the skin and hair;
• apathy;
• speed up heartbeat;
• development of vascular and joint diseases;
• nervousness.

What coffee is like

Comparing chicory and coffee, do not forget that each of them has its own varieties. It is they who determine the benefits and harms of the product.

Coffee can be natural, instant and freeze-dried. In the first case, it is allowed to use it in not too large doses, but only if there are no contraindications. As for the second and third types, they contain a little less caffeine, but at the same time they have a greater negative effect on the body. This happens for the simple reason that not all manufacturers work in good faith by adding harmful chemicals to their products.

Which drink is he althier

Choose: coffee or chicory - which is better, it costs each person independently. Here, for the most part, everything depends on the individual characteristics of the body, because both drinks have pros and cons. The best option would be to visit a doctor who, based on the state of he alth, will confirm which product can be consumed so as not toharm he alth.

Very lucky people who do not have serious he alth problems - they are allowed to drink both chicory and coffee. But at the same time it is necessary to adhere to the dosage. Doctors say that both drinks can be consumed until four o'clock in the evening in the amount of no more than two cups a day.

Chicory drinks

You can prepare a drink according to different recipes. Their number today is quite large, so there is a choice. After considering several cooking options, for sure everyone will want to try them, because the taste of the finished product is difficult to compare with anything.

Instant coffee and chicory are very well combined in one mug. To prepare a drink with both of these components, it will not take too much time. Here you will need to use 0.5 tsp. chicory and coffee, 150 ml of boiling water and powdered sugar. The cooking process is simple:

• combine dry ingredients;
• fill with hot water;
• cover;
• leave for two minutes;
• strain;
• distribute into cups.

If desired, the drink can be decorated with whipped cream. But at the same time, it is worth remembering the sweetness, because many people prefer to drink coffee and chicory without sugar at all.

An equally popular drink is cocoa based on chicory. It is made from two tablespoons of root powder, a liter of milk, a teaspoon of vanillin and granulated sugar. For cooking, you need to take a saucepan and place all the ingredients there,except for milk. Then the last ingredient needs to be put on fire, bring to a boil and pour the dry mixture into it. The resulting mass should be boiled for 5 minutes. Then it needs to be filtered and poured into portions.

Also worth noting is a drink approved for use by diabetics. It is made from ground chicory root, linseed and burdock leaves, taken in equal amounts. You will also need to add blueberries here (to taste). The resulting collection must be poured with boiled hot water, preferably in a thermos, and left for 10 hours. It is recommended to use such a product twice a day before the main meals for half a glass.

Coffee from chicory can also be made for those who want to lose weight. To do this, you need to take a fried and ground product in the amount of 40 grams, and then pour it with a liter of boiling water. After the mixture is required to infuse, strain and combine with already prepared green tea in a ratio of 1:1.

The second version of the drink that helps to lose weight is the composition with ginger, honey and lemon. All these ingredients will need to be taken in equal proportions, pour boiling water so that it is a couple of centimeters higher than the mixture, and leave in a tightly closed container for about 12 hours. Then you need to add chicory root powder in the same amount in which the other ingredients were taken.

It is recommended to use both drinks for weight loss three times a day. The main thing is to drink them before meals, as they significantly reduce appetite and help you get full faster.

What is best for pregnant and lactating

Especially often the question of what is more useful - coffee or chicory, is asked by future or real mothers, on whose he alth the development of the baby depends. The first drink is forbidden to use both during pregnancy and lactation. But on the other hand, chicory will be an excellent substitute for him. It is he who has absolutely no negative impact on the child, although the effect in the form of cheerfulness and the elimination of depression gives the same effect as coffee. The only exception is the presence of contraindications to this drink, indicated above.

As for coffee, in some cases the attending physician may allow it, but this applies only to women suffering from severe toxicosis. In such a situation, they can consume the product no more than half a coffee cup per day. But experts recommend drinking chicory after waking up to get a boost of energy and in the evening to calm the nerves after a hard day.

Reviews

Some people consider chicory as a coffee substitute, while others argue that there is simply no point in comparing these products, as they are completely different. In general, people's opinions on this issue differ, because everyone has their own point of view.

Most of the reviews boil down to the fact that chicory resembles some kind of drink from childhood, so adults drink it with great pleasure. And if you combine it with milk, then it is very similar to coffee. The second drink is more often mentioned by those who use it exclusively in the morning - people like its effect,though it will not be as strong as time goes by.

Based on all of the above, it is up to the person to decide which drink to drink. In this he will be helped by clear recommendations, useful and harmful properties presented in the article. In general, both products can be consumed, but observing the dosage, since if it is exceeded, you can get negative consequences from any drink.