Many experts claim that inulin chicory is very useful for our health. What this is not everyone knows. Let's try to understand this issue and find out what are the beneficial properties of the above product for a person.
Inulin chicory - what is it?
Chicory is a plant with lovely flowers of delicate blue color. From its roots receive a special substance - inulin. A bitter drink is prepared from chicory, which, to its taste, resembles brewed burnt coffee.
Inulin is the plant’s energy reserve. It is carbon. Many people do not know such a thing as inulin chicory. What is it and how is it mined?
This substance is “built” on the basis of fructose residues. During the hydrolysis process under the influence of inulinase, it completely decomposes into fructose.
Inulin is a prebiotic; accordingly, it is not absorbed in the digestive system. It is processed by the intestinal microflora.
Inulin: where is it contained, how is it mined and how is it used
The above substance is part of the following products:
- chicory root - 6% or more;
- garlic - from 8 to 16%;
- onions - up to 6%.
Inulin is also found in Jerusalem artichoke, burdock, elecampane and dandelion.
The above substance is extracted from plants by cold pressing. Thanks to this method, all its useful properties are preserved.
Inulin is made in most cases from chicory. This is done as follows:
- Grinding raw materials.
- Carrying out the extraction of inulin (its extraction).
- Bringing the resulting extract to a thick consistency.
- Precipitation of inulin and its purification.
- Drying.
The above substance is actively used in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Food inulin acts as a technological ingredient. It simulates the presence of fat in foods and stabilizes the quality of ice cream, mousses and sauces. In addition, food inulin is added to baby food, chocolate, dairy and diet foods, and pastries.
In pharmacology, inulin chicory is also actively used. What is it and what is the use of it, pharmacists have long understood. Therefore, today it is added to biologically active additives for the treatment and prevention of many diseases.
Useful properties of inulin
The above substance affects the human body as follows:
- normalizes blood sugar;
- has the ability to remove harmful radionuclides, slags and heavy metals from the body;
- stimulates the growth of bone tissue, thereby preventing the occurrence of a variety of skeletal diseases;
- has a positive effect on the absorption of calcium by the body;
- strengthens the immune system;
- improves the condition of lymphoid tissue, which consists of cells of the intestinal mucosa (this helps to increase the resistance of the bronchial tree, ureters);
- Helps maintain a healthy liver
- normalizes heart rate;
- balances the central nervous system;
- enhances the activity of the heart.
In addition, inulin has an antipyretic and diaphoretic effect.
Chicory (drink): benefits and harms
This product is obtained from soluble chicory. In taste and appearance, it bears a great resemblance to roasted coffee. But unlike the latter, the chicory drink does not contain caffeine, therefore it does not harm human health. Caffeine is contraindicated in people with various diseases. It causes vasodilation, provokes a violation of the heart rhythm, etc.
Soluble chicory has another advantage - a sweetish taste, which is why it is extremely useful for people with diabetes.
Properties of soluble chicory:
- improves intestinal microflora;
- suppresses appetite;
- improves metabolism;
- promotes the functioning of the digestive system.
Interestingly, in addition to inulin, chicory liquid contains B vitamins, ascorbic acid, pectins, resins and trace elements (iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium), as well as carotene, tannic and protein substances, organic acids.
As for contraindications, chicory has few of them. So, you should not drink a drink based on it when taking antibiotics, as this can interfere with the absorption of the medicine. In addition, chicory is not recommended for people suffering from varicose veins and hemorrhoids, as these conditions can only worsen. You should not use this product for those who are allergic to ascorbic acid, as well as for spasms of the respiratory system.
Chicory: indications for use
Inulin chicory and a drink from the above plants, experts recommend drinking to people with diseases such as:
- diabetes;
- dysbiosis;
- acute and chronic gastrointestinal infections;
- frequent colds;
- bone diseases;
- hepatitis and gastritis.
Pregnant Chicory Soluble
If a woman is expecting a baby, but is also a big lover of coffee, then the above product will be a real find for her. The beneficial properties of chicory soluble for pregnant women are as follows:
- activation of the heart;
- support the normal functioning of the liver;
- contributing to the rapid elimination of toxins from the body;
- regulation of intestinal activity;
- prevention of constipation.
This plant can easily replace coffee, because it has a similar taste. But in fact, chicory is much more useful, since it has the ability to beneficially influence not only the organism of the future mother, but also the condition of her child.
Slimming chicory
The substance inulin, which is obtained from chicory, is now actively used in many diets. This substance is not absorbed in the intestines when it enters the human body. In the stomach, inulin assumes a gel state, enveloping the mucous membranes of a given digestive organ, and thus protecting it from the effects of alcohol and smoking.
How does inulin chicory affect the body of a losing weight person? Firstly, this substance is an effective probiotic: it promotes the formation of a favorable environment for the development of intestinal microflora, in which microbes and other pathogenic bacteria are destroyed. Thus, the human body is cleansed of harmful substances.
Secondly, chicory inulin has the ability to influence lipid metabolism. This leads to weight loss.
Thirdly, inulin perfectly regulates appetite. This substance is the right carbohydrate, which does not increase the amount of sugar in the blood and does not cause insulin surges. Therefore, a feeling of fullness remains for a long time.
Fourthly, during the diet, the body requires serious protection. Inulin chicory lowers the level of ammonia in the intestines, which provokes the development of gastrointestinal oncology.
In addition, this substance has the ability to regulate carbohydrate metabolism, which, in turn, is responsible for the slender figure of a person.
How to use chicory
For the preparation of various therapeutic agents, chicory can be used. The drink, the benefits and harms of which have been described in detail above, is, among other things, extremely tasty and aromatic, and is in no way inferior to coffee in these qualities. It can be prepared in several ways:
- One and a half teaspoons of soluble chicory pour a glass of boiling water. Put sugar as you like and add milk or a spoonful of honey.
- A quarter of a teaspoon of soluble chicory pour a glass of boiled milk. Then add 2-3 dessert spoons of honey.
- Pour a tablespoon of fried chicory into a glass of hot water and boil for no more than 3 minutes. Then add cream, sugar or milk as you like.
The above drinks not only have an exquisite taste, but also give incredible benefits to the human body: strengthen it and enrich it with the necessary substances.
It is interesting that even salads are prepared from chicory. To do this, use the leaves of a pale green plant. Experts note that the taste of chicory goes well with celery, walnuts, cucumber, yogurt, any lettuce, parsley, apples. It should be noted that the leaves of the above plants are rich in the content of folic and ascorbic acids. Some foodies prefer chicory root soup for dinner.
An important rule, if you want to use chicory in cooking, you need to buy it in the store. That plant that grows near roads is usually poisoned with strontium.
Conclusion
Inulin of chicory, the benefits and harms of which are obvious, based on its composition, is still not recommended to be taken independently for the treatment of various diseases without consulting a doctor. After all, only a doctor can determine the right amount of the drug and indicate possible side effects.