2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14
Chicory, or rather its root, has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The positive properties of a medicinal plant are manifested in relation to some diseases. Many people who cannot drink coffee have replaced it with a drink that uses chicory to make it. Reviews indicate that it can be used to lose extra pounds without harm to he alth. A useful drink will also be for expectant mothers. You can use chicory only if there are no contraindications.
What is chicory?
Chicory belongs to the Asteraceae family and is a perennial plant with bright blue flowers. It can be found in wastelands, along roadsides. Popularly, the plant is known as the "king-root" for its many-sided positive impact on the human body.
The composition of the plant is as follows:
- pectin;
- inulin;
- choline;
- vitamins (A, B, C, E);
- micronutrients (potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium);
- carotene;
- tannins;
- mineral s alts;
- organic acids;
- gum.
All over the world, chicory root is used to make a drink that tastes like coffee. However, such a drink has much more useful properties and does not have a stimulating effect on the nervous system. To do this, the roots of the plant are dried, crushed and fried until golden brown. In the future, the powder will be packaged and sent to store shelves. Chicory leaves are used as food.
Benefits of chicory
The root of the plant contains the polysaccharide inulin, used as a natural sugar substitute. Therefore, people with a history of diabetes mellitus and obesity should pay attention to chicory, first of all. The substance is also necessary to maintain he althy microflora in the intestines.
Chicory will help to improve the functioning of the stomach and normalize metabolic processes. Reviews say that the vitamins and minerals contained in the root of the plant have a positive effect on the state of the cardiovascular system (slow down the heart rate, dilate blood vessels), help to eliminate "bad" cholesterol.
Chicory drink also has anti-inflammatory properties. By drinking this drink regularly, you can speed up the healing process of wounds and prevent the development of inflammation. Therefore, it can be used for skin diseases, acne.
Chicory root is rich in B vitamins, which are essential for properwork of the nervous system. They promote calm, return vivacity and energy.
Can pregnant women?
Many women learn about what chicory is during pregnancy, when you have to stop drinking coffee for a while. A drink similar in color and taste will be extremely beneficial for the expectant mother. Inulin in the composition of the plant will help to improve the functioning of the digestive system, eliminate constipation and heartburn.
Another problem that almost all expectant mothers face is iron deficiency anemia. You can increase the level of hemoglobin if you drink a cup of chicory drink a day.
Contraindications
It should be remembered that each medicinal plant can be used for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes only if there are no contraindications. If you are allergic to similar plants, experts recommend not using chicory (soluble). In this case, they begin to drink a drink in small quantities to check the reaction of the body.
It is necessary to exclude the use of the plant (in any form) in the presence of vascular pathologies - varicose veins, hemorrhoids. The plant tends to dilate blood vessels, which in such diseases will only have a negative effect and worsen well-being. Contraindications also include gallstone disease. Chicory, reviews of which will be discussed below, has a choleretic effect and can provoke the passage of stones.
With peptic ulcer and gastritis, it is better to refuse a drink made from chicory powder. Operatingsubstances that are present in the composition of the plant irritate the mucous surface of the digestive organs. Do not use chicory in diseases of the respiratory system - bronchial asthma, bronchitis.
Chicory for lactation
From the moment a baby is born, a woman has to make drastic changes in her diet and give up many foods and drinks. Caffeine also has a negative effect on the child's body. A chicory drink will help replace your favorite aromatic coffee.
Is it possible for lactating chicory, and will the plant harm the baby? Doctors assure that a drink from a medicinal plant is absolutely safe for both mother and newborn. In addition, it helps to increase lactation. The beneficial substances contained in the drink will penetrate into breast milk and have a calming effect on the baby.
At the same time, during breastfeeding, it is not recommended to drink more than two cups of the drink a day.
Harm chicory
In some cases, a medicinal plant does not bring the expected benefit, but a completely opposite result. It depends on the individual sensitivity of the organism. Many note an increase in appetite while taking a drink from chicory. The phenomenon is caused by the normalization of the pancreas and the digestive system as a whole. This point should be taken into account if the drink will be used for weight loss.
In case of serious deviations in the functioning of the nervous system, mild excitability, the use of chicory can causeinsomnia, emotional swings. Chicory instead of coffee should be used with caution if you are prone to an allergic reaction due to the high content of vitamin C in the plant.
Liquid chicory
On store shelves you can find not only chicory powder, but also liquid extract of this plant. Thanks to more gentle processing during the production process, liquid chicory has more beneficial properties. It is made by evaporating liquid from the roots of the plant. The manipulation is repeated several times. Excess water is removed from the resulting liquid.
It is generally accepted that the liquid extract of a medicinal plant is more difficult to fake, unlike the powder. The product can be found in many stores. It is packaged in small jars. Liquid should be dark brown.
Chicory "He alth"
You can find chicory under different brands on the shelves of he althy food. Some manufacturers add various extracts of medicinal herbs and berries to the product. This makes the drink more tasty and he althy.
Chicory "He alth" from the Coffee Company "Vokrug Sveta" (Russia), according to buyers and connoisseurs of this drink, is considered one of the best. The product has passed quality control. Its composition fully complies with the standards.
Soluble chicory can be purchased both in pure form and with various flavorings: ginseng, taiga herbs, cranberries, blueberries, rose hips, sea buckthorn, lemon, cinnamon, raspberries. Finethe taste of the drink should be bitter due to the presence of intribin glycoside in the composition of the root of the plant.
Reviews
Natural product has received many positive reviews from satisfied customers. The most popular is pure instant chicory. Reviews indicate that it most resembles fragrant coffee. With daily use of the drink, a surge of vitality is felt, the emotional state improves, and the digestive system improves.
Instant chicory is important to store properly after opening the package. If moisture gets into the powder, lumps will appear, it will oxidize and lose its healing properties. Liquid chicory "He alth" is not whimsical in storage. In addition, in this form, the product contains the highest concentration of nutrients.
How to brew chicory?
Prepare a drink in the same way as instant coffee. A few tablespoons (tea) of the powder must be poured with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for several minutes. You can also brew chicory in a Turk. To do this, you need a teaspoon of chicory powder and honey, filled with 150-200 ml of water. We bring the resulting mixture to the formation of foam and remove from heat. To taste, you can add sugar, lemon, cream.
How to drink chicory so that it benefits the body? Experts recommend simply observing the daily norm - 2-3 cups per day. You should not get involved in the use of medicinal drinking.
Recommended:
Can children have chicory? He alth benefits and harms of chicory
Chicory has long entered our lives as a favorite drink. Parents often have a question, at what age are children allowed to have chicory? Children can drink it instead of coffee and tea from the age of three, and many doctors advise even from one year old, if there are no contraindications. It is not only very tasty, but also carries many positive benefits for the body. Can chicory be given to small children? When is it better to abstain? This is what we will try to find out
Coffee "Barista": reviews, assortment. Coffee for coffee machines
Most people start their morning with a cup of aromatic coffee. As a rule, the most delicious invigorating drink is made in coffee shops. But you can learn how to cook it at home. The secret lies in the Barista coffee pack
Soluble chicory: useful properties and contraindications
Chicory is a favorite drink of many Russians. In this article we will talk about its beneficial properties and contraindications for use
Agave syrup instead of sugar: product description, price, reviews
Agave syrup is not just a sugar substitute. It has a number of unique properties that have a positive effect on the organs and systems of the body
Coffee houses St. Petersburg: "Coffee House", "Coffee House Gourmet". Where is the best coffee in St. Petersburg?
In this short article, we will discuss in detail the best coffee houses in St. Petersburg in order to determine where you should come to try delicious coffee, which can easily be called the best in the city. Let's get started