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 can’t drink coffee have replaced it with a drink that uses chicory. Reviews indicate that with its help you can lose extra pounds without harm to health. A useful drink will also be for expectant mothers. You can use chicory only in the absence of contraindications.
What is chicory?
Chicory belongs to the family of asters, and is a perennial plant with bright blue flowers. It can be found in wastelands, along roadsides. The plant is popularly known as the “king root” for its many-sided positive effect on the human body.
The composition of the plant has the following:
- pectin;
- inulin;
- choline;
- vitamins (A, B, C, E);
- trace elements (potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium);
- carotene;
- tannins;
- mineral salts;
- organic acids;
- gum.
Around the world, chicory root is used to make a drink that tastes like coffee. However, such a drink has many more beneficial properties and does not have an exciting 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 is packaged and sent to store shelves. Chicory leaves are used as food.
The benefits of chicory
The root of the plant contains the inulin polysaccharide, which is used as a natural sugar substitute. Therefore, chicory should pay attention, first of all, people who have a history of diabetes mellitus, obesity. The substance is also necessary to maintain healthy intestinal microflora.
Chicory will help establish the work of the stomach and normalize metabolic processes. The reviews say that the vitamins and minerals contained in the root of the plant positively affect the state of the cardiovascular system (slow down the heart rate, dilate blood vessels), and contribute to the elimination of "bad" cholesterol.
The chicory drink also has anti-inflammatory properties. Drinking this drink regularly can speed up the healing process and prevent the development of inflammation. Therefore, it can be used for skin diseases, acne.
Chicory root is rich in B vitamins, which are necessary for the proper functioning of the nervous system. They contribute to calm, restore vitality and energy.
Is it possible for pregnant women?
Many women learn about what chicory is during pregnancy, when it is time to exclude the use of coffee. A drink that is similar in color and taste will exclusively benefit the expectant mother. Inulin in the composition of the plant will help to improve the digestive system, eliminate constipation and heartburn.
Another problem that almost all expectant mothers face is iron deficiency anemia. You can increase hemoglobin if you drink a cup of chicory drink daily.
Contraindications
It should be remembered that each medicinal plant can be used for medicinal and prophylactic purposes only in the absence of contraindications. If you are allergic to similar plants, experts recommend not using chicory (soluble). In this case, the drink is started to be consumed in a small amount in order to check the reaction of the body.
The use of a plant (in any form) should be excluded in the presence of vascular pathologies - varicose veins, hemorrhoids. The plant has the ability to dilate blood vessels, which with such diseases will only have a negative effect and worsen well-being. Gallstone disease also refers to contraindications. Chicory, reviews of which will be discussed below, has a choleretic effect and can provoke the passage of stones.
In case of peptic ulcer and gastritis, it is better to refuse a drink from chicory powder. The active substances that are present in the plant irritate the mucous surface of the digestive system. Do not use chicory for diseases of the respiratory system - bronchial asthma, bronchitis.
Chicory with lactation
From the moment a baby is born, a woman has to make drastic changes in her diet and refuse many foods and drinks. Caffeine also has a negative effect on the child's body. A drink from chicory will help replace your favorite aromatic coffee.
Is it possible for nursing chicory, and will the plant harm the baby? Doctors say that a drink from a medicinal plant is absolutely safe for both mom and newborn. In addition, it helps to increase lactation. The beneficial substances contained in the drink penetrate into breast milk and have a calming effect on the baby.
At the same time, during breastfeeding, it is not recommended to consume more than two cups of the drink per day.
Harm chicory
In some cases, a medicinal plant does not bring the expected benefits, but a completely opposite result. It depends on the individual sensitivity of the body. Many note an increase in appetite while taking a drink from chicory. The phenomenon of normalization of the pancreas and digestive system as a whole is caused. This point should be taken into account if the drink will be used for weight loss.
With serious deviations in the functioning of the nervous system, mild excitability, the use of chicory can cause insomnia, emotional changes. Instead of coffee, chicory should be used with caution when prone to an allergic reaction due to the increased content of vitamin C in the plant.
Liquid chicory
On the shelves of shops you can find not only chicory powder, but also a liquid extract of this plant. Due to the more gentle processing in the production process, liquid chicory has more beneficial properties. It is made by evaporating liquid from the roots of a plant. The manipulation is repeated several times. Excess water from the resulting liquid is removed.
It is generally accepted that a medicinal plant liquid extract is more difficult to fake, unlike a powder. The product can be found in many stores. It is packaged in small cans. The liquid should have a dark brown color.
Chicory "Health"
On the shelves of a healthy diet you can find chicory under different brands. Some manufacturers add various extracts of herbs and berries to the product. This makes the drink more tasty and healthy.
The chicory "Health" from the "Coffee company" Around the World "(Russia), according to buyers and connoisseurs of this drink, is considered one of the best. The product has passed quality control. Its composition is fully consistent with standards.
Soluble chicory can be purchased both in pure form and with various flavors: ginseng, taiga herbs, lingonberries, blueberries, rose hips, sea buckthorn, lemon, cinnamon, raspberries. Normally, the taste of the drink should be bitter due to the presence of the intribine glycoside in the composition of the plant root.
Reviews
The natural product has earned many positive recommendations from satisfied customers. The most popular is pure soluble chicory. Reviews indicate that it resembles aromatic coffee as much as possible. With daily use of the drink, a surge of vitality is felt, the emotional state improves, and the digestive system improves.
It is important to store soluble chicory correctly after opening the package. When moisture enters the powder, lumps will appear, it will oxidize and lose its healing properties. Liquid chicory "Health" is not whimsical to store. Moreover, 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 spoons (tea) of powder must be poured with a glass of boiling water and let it brew for several minutes. You can brew chicory in a Turk. To do this, you need a teaspoon of chicory and honey powder, filled with 150-200 ml of water. The resulting mixture is brought to the formation of foam and removed from the fire. You can add sugar, lemon, cream to your taste.
How to drink chicory so that it benefits the body? Experts recommend just observing the daily norm - 2-3 cups per day. Do not get involved in the use of therapeutic drinking.