Chicory - beneficial properties and contraindications

What is chicory

Natural remedies, as a rule, bring benefits to a person and do not cause harm, so they are widely used in folk medicine and in programs by those who want to lose weight. Chicory is a plant with soft blue flowers, but the roots, not them, are used for cooking. They are used in homeopathy and traditional medicine. After special treatment, the roots are used not only for weight loss, but also for:

• treatment of the central nervous system;
• liver therapy;
• kidney treatment;
• need to replace coffee;
• need to get a boost of energy in the morning.

What is the drink made from?

This tall-stemmed grass was encountered by everyone in fields or vacant lots in the city. If you are wondering what chicory drink is made from, you just need to go out into any clearing and you will find this flower. In the first year of a plant’s life, the leaves intensively produce nutrients that are stored in the roots. Outwardly, they are thick, like carrots. In the second year, thanks to these reserves, long stems sprout, on which flowers bloom and fruits ripen.

People who grow this plant do not wait for flowering. To prepare, root vegetables are dug up in the fall, washed, dried, fried and crushed. The root vegetable turns into a powder that is easy to dissolve in water, it gives it a chocolate-coffee hue. In some cases, the raw material is a liquid with a viscous consistency. All the health benefits of chicory are preserved during weight loss; it is used in folk medicine in different countries. This product is perfect for pregnant women and diabetics.

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Calorie content

When a girl or guy goes on a diet, the first thing they should do is count calories. The less of them you receive, the faster the weight loss process will begin. One of the advantages is the calorie content of chicory, it is very low and fits perfectly into any program for getting rid of extra pounds. 100 g of product contains only 72 kcal, it is used in small quantities (1-2 tsp) and its presence in the diet is almost invisible.

This is a great option for those who find it difficult to give up coffee, which is prohibited in many diet plans. 100 g of product contains the following amount of substances:

• water – 80 g;
• proteins – 1.4 g;
• fats – 0.2 g;
• carbohydrates – 16 g;
• ash – 0.9 g;
• fiber – 1.5 g.

The benefits of chicory for weight loss

The unique composition of this substance makes it a useful, effective component that is used in weight loss diets. It contains no sugar, only related components and vitamins are present, which do not cause such harm. For this reason, it is given to people who suffer from diabetes and need to monitor their blood sugar levels. All the benefits of chicory for weight loss lie in the components it contains; they provide the following benefits to the body:

1. Contains inulin and pectin, which prevent the absorption of carbohydrates by the intestines. They also reduce cravings for sweets and do not disrupt the natural processes in the body.
2. With regular use, metabolism and intestinal microflora will begin to normalize. Both of these points are directly related to the speed of losing weight and burning excess fat deposits. All calories that enter the body will be immediately used for energy production and will not accumulate.
3. When losing weight, chicory is an excellent preventative against constipation and dysbacteriosis, which often accompany overweight people.
4. The product contains a lot of fiber, which quickly brings a feeling of fullness and maintains it for several hours; it is recommended to drink it 20 minutes before meals. This will be a kind of signal to the organum that the meal is completed.
5. It has a strong diuretic and choleretic effect, so you should not drink a lot of it, as this can lead to dehydration. It is not recommended to drink more than 4 cups per day.

Beneficial features

Thanks to its chem. The composition of chicory helps to cope with many diseases. It is recommended for use by people with poor blood vessels, diseases of the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. Soluble chicory also helps to improve the microflora of the stomach. It suppresses the activity of pathogenic bacteria, which are the main cause of dysbacteriosis. This disease is accompanied by bloating, gas, diarrhea, or, conversely, constipation. Due to unhealthy stomach microflora, a person’s immunity is noticeably reduced and a lot of diseases arise.

Instant chicory can be consumed instead of tea or coffee, as it contains absolutely no caffeine. Chicory contains more benefits than harm. People with high blood pressure or disorders of the cardiovascular system can safely drink it.

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.

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With honey

The combination of these two ingredients is very beneficial for people who suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension). Chicory with honey softens the throat and does not cause a strong cough when consumed; it is good for inflammatory diseases, when you need to saturate the body and get a boost of energy. When losing weight, the drink should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to one cup of brewed drink. Drink when the drink is warm, not hot.

Cinnamon

This is another possible combination to get a tasty, healthy drink. Chicory with cinnamon will invigorate you in the morning, even better than coffee. It is suitable for people with diabetes and hypertension; this drink was first prepared in Russia. It can be safely used for weight loss because the calorie content is very low, and cinnamon is often used during a diet. To create the treat you will need:

• ground chicory root – 1 tsp;
• water – 1 glass;
• cinnamon – 1 stick;
• sugar, honey - to taste.

It is recommended to consume this tasty treat warm rather than hot; it is prepared according to the following instructions:

1. Place a cinnamon stick in a glass.
2. Strain the crushed cinnamon root through a strainer.
3. Next you need to boil water, add the root.
4. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the water begins to boil and foam.
5. Strain the hot drink again and pour the liquid over the cinnamon stick.

1. Reduce heat to low and brew until the drink begins to foam and boil away.

With ginger

If you constantly overeat starchy and sweet foods, it becomes more difficult to get rid of fat accumulations. Chicory with ginger helps speed up metabolism, increase immunity, and cleanse the body. Some people don't like the taste of the drink, you can add cloves along with ginger. When losing weight, a treat is prepared from:

• water – 300 g;
• cloves - on the tip of a knife;
• fresh ginger - a piece;
• instant chicory - 2 tsp.

The method for preparing a drink for weight loss is as follows:

1. Place a spoonful of instant chicory into the container.
2. Cut the ginger into small pieces.
3. Add cloves next.
4. Pour boiling water over all ingredients and stir.

How to choose chicory

You can often find fakes on the shelves, to which ground cereals and other impurities may be added. They do not cause harm, but the product is no longer natural; you should choose chicory in the form of powder, pieces, or liquid extract. The latter option is very convenient for storage, it is much easier to brew (it quickly dissolves in hot liquid). It is almost impossible to fake liquid chicory, so it is recommended to choose this option.

When purchasing, carefully study the packaging and product information. Do not buy if the ingredients say extract. You shouldn’t get carried away even with a high-quality product, because the body gets used to it, and the beneficial effect decreases because of this. Some ailments may be a contraindication to drinking this drink:

• haemorrhoids;
• gastrointestinal ulcer (any department);
• urolithiasis disease;
• bronchial asthma;
• varicose veins (varicose veins) and other vascular diseases;
• allergy.

Is it possible to drink chicory with milk?

Compared to natural coffee beans, chicory powder causes less harm to the human body, but herbal raw materials can not improve its health in all cases. Who can drink this drink and in what doses, we will consider further.

Pregnant

When planning pregnancy, as well as during intrauterine development of the fetus, it is strictly forbidden to consume chicory with milk. The fact is that drinking can provoke allergic reactions in the body of the expectant mother, which will have an extremely negative impact on the health of the expected baby.

Nursing mothers

Experts advise women during lactation to minimize, or better yet avoid, such delicacies. The ban on the use of soluble chicory powder is due to the triterpenes and alkaloids it contains. These nutrients may not harm an adult, but for a developing child’s body they will serve as dangerous substances that provoke the development of intestinal disorders, indigestion and allergies.

Did you know? According to legend, the Apostle Peter used chicory as twigs for his sheep. From that time on, the plant received the name “Petrov batog”. Another legend says that the saint used twigs to drive away insect pests from ears of grain, and then threw them on the side of the field. From these twigs the chicory grew. That’s why it seems to have been growing near roads ever since.

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When losing weight

Chicory with milk is a must for those who want to lose weight, because the drink is characterized by low calorie content and a rich vitamin composition. In addition, the main active substances present in the roots of the perennial - triterpenes - take on the function of catalysts. Thanks to this, the body’s metabolism improves, which inevitably leads to the natural burning of calories and the breakdown of fat deposits. This effect is complemented by pectins, which provide a person with a feeling of fullness for a long period.

For diabetes

For diabetics who need constant monitoring of blood glucose levels, such a milkshake is essential. Due to the inulin contained in the body, controlled indicators decrease and blood vessels are cleaned of unnecessary accumulations. However, the drink must be consumed without sugar.

Find out the benefits and harms of instant chicory powder.

For gastritis, pancreatitis

Chicory milkshake is indicated for consumption by this category of people only when the disease is in remission. The drink is categorically undesirable in cases of acute and chronic forms, as well as during exacerbations. The ban is justified by the choleretic properties of plant materials, which will worsen the patient’s condition. Patients diagnosed with pancreatitis or gastritis are recommended to gradually introduce treats into the diet, starting with minimal doses. At the same time, you need to monitor your well-being.

Important! If discomfort occurs after taking a chicory-milk drink, experts advise replacing natural milk with plant-based analogues.

Price

It is not recommended to buy the cheapest option, because there is a high risk of purchasing a fake. The price of chicory depends on the manufacturer, release form and quantity of the product in the package. You can purchase it at any grocery store or order it online. The estimated cost is as follows: