The chicory drink is probably known to everyone, even if not from their own experience, then from products from store shelves. What is it and what is its use? Let's find out today!
What is chicory
Chicory is a perennial plant that has a thick and spindle-shaped root. Its stems are tall and covered with hairs. Flowers growing on stems are most often blue in color, but can be white or pink. But no matter how beautiful the top is, the raw materials for the drink are prepared from the roots of the plant.
By the way, since chicory grows in large quantities precisely on the territory of Russia and Ukraine, you can cook it yourself without using purchased ingredients. What's more, it's easy to do.
How to cook chicory at home
- Collect chicory roots and wash them.
- Thoroughly clean the clean roots and rinse thoroughly again. Inside the roots there is a rod, it can be processed. Otherwise, if there is no such desire, clean off the side chips and use only them. It will take more time, but, as they say, a matter of taste.
- The prepared product must be passed through a meat grinder if the volume is large, or finely chopped with a knife if there are few roots.
- Crushed roots should be dried in an oven at 100°C. After that, transfer them to the pan and fry until completely dry. If the number of roots was small and you used a knife to grind, then there was little juice. In this case, you can immediately start frying, bypassing drying in the oven.
- Roast the roots until they are completely dry. When finished, they should have a persistent odor and a yellow-brown color.
Before preparing chicory, grind the desired amount of the product in a coffee grinder and brew. If you choose not to extract the tough inner part of the root, then when brewing it can float in small chips on the surface. There is nothing wrong with that, literally in a couple of minutes everything will settle to the bottom and will not interfere with use.
This is how the most natural natural product is prepared simply. Yes, you need to tinker with it a little and it may seem that it is easier to buy it ready-made, but this is how you can be sure of its healing qualities and 100% naturalness.
Chicory: properties
Now let's look at what harmful and beneficial properties this beautiful plant has when taken internally.
The benefits of chicory
12 most useful and simply pleasant properties of chicory.
- Great coffee substitute. It tastes like coffee, so if you suddenly decide to give it up, or you like it, but for some reason it is contraindicated, switch to chicory. It is undesirable to use it with milk, it is better to replace it with vegetable analogues, such as soy, coconut or rice. Sugar also does not make the drink healthier. Chicory, by the way, is able to cheer up and tone up, while not harming the body.
- Good effect on the nervous system. The root contains a large amount of B vitamins, which, as you know, have a positive effect on the nervous system. They energize, give strength and remarkably invigorate.
- Slimming. The roots of the plant contain inulin, which effectively lowers blood sugar levels. This drink will especially appeal to those with a sweet tooth, who cannot imagine their life without sweets and cakes. All harm from eating them will be leveled. Thiamine, also known as B1, transforms carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy, B2 helps break down fats. Do not forget about triterpenes, which activate metabolic processes and. And pectin dulls the feeling of hunger. It is enough to drink chicory after breakfast and lunch to stay full longer.
- Help for diabetics. The previously mentioned inulin, which regulates blood sugar levels, will be very useful for diabetics, who are forced to constantly monitor its content. However, chicory can only be used as an adjunct to treatment, and by no means the main one.
Chicory and milk. It was previously mentioned that chicory is good for the cardiovascular system, but if you look at the reviews about the drink, some complain that after switching from coffee to chicory, they had problems with these organs. There is an answer to these inconsistencies. If you pay attention, the main part of the complainers tried to use chicory with milk, like the once familiar coffee. And it's not at all that milk is bad or chicory - it's just that together they are not as well compatible as it might seem to taste. To fix this problem, try replacing cow's milk with plant-based alternatives.
For varicose veins and vascular problems. Chicory is very good at preventing disease, but it can cause harm when it occurs, so you should consult your doctor if you have such problems.
Liver. In moderation, chicory helps cleanse the kidneys, but experience shows that it is quite capable of causing harm. But this is only if you drink it in large quantities.
Appetite. In a certain category of citizens, a drink can cause an increase in appetite, it all depends on the individual characteristics of your body.
Insomnia. This feature also applies to sleep. By its nature, chicory is more of a sedative, but it really has an invigorating effect on individuals and can cause.
As you can see, the “harmful” sides of the drink are not so many. In addition, in fairness it should be noted that all its disadvantages in 99.9% of cases occur only because the permissible dosage was exceeded. Drink it normally and then you will feel only its positive properties.
Chicory: contraindications
Before using any new product, you should always read about the contraindications that are characteristic of it. This will avoid many troubles.
The first contraindication is due to the property of chicory to invigorate. This quality can adversely affect the functioning of the nervous system, heart and blood vessels in people who have problems with them. But this does not mean at all that the use of the drink in this case is strictly prohibited. In small quantities and low concentrations, it is quite acceptable. But consultation with your doctor in this case will not be superfluous.
Chicory is an allergen. Or rather, not the chicory itself, but the components of its root. If you ignore this item, then skin rashes are provided. The plant can cause individual intolerance. Although such cases are rare, they do occur. If you use chicory in very large quantities, you can cause a severe attack, which can be fatal.
It is undesirable to drink chicory for problems with the liver and gallbladder. The roots of the plant contain a lot of calcium oxalate, so it is prohibited in cases of urolithiasis and in people with a predisposition to it. Doctors confirm that in 80% of cases the appearance of kidney stones is due to calcium oxalate. The latter, of course, is not only found in chicory.
If you have acute or chronic diseases, it is better to consult your doctor before using chicory. It will be much safer, since each organism is individual.
Chicory during pregnancy
Coffee can rightly be called one of the most popular drinks of our time, but it is no secret that it is generally advisable not to drink a grain drink during pregnancy. Chicory, although remotely, still resembles coffee, but is it acceptable in an “interesting” position?
Let's start with the fact that the harm of coffee is due for the most part to the content of caffeine in it. Chicory does not have it in its composition, and this is already a plus. However, the opinions of doctors about the admissibility of the drink for expectant mothers still differ. But there is no clear justification that would show the danger to both the pregnant woman and the baby. Therefore, if a woman has no contraindications for health reasons, then small portions of the drink will only benefit.
The only thing that needs to be taken into service is the composition. Please read it carefully before buying. The drink should not contain dyes, aromatic additives and preservatives. Otherwise, there will be nothing useful in it.
Chicory while breastfeeding
As for the period of breastfeeding, then everything is similar to the previous option. It is possible, but with caution. First, you must know exactly what you are missing on it and contraindications. Secondly, start drinking it in very small quantities and watch how the child reacts to it.
If no negative reaction followed, you can gradually increase the dose to an acceptable level. In any case, even with such a healthy drink, you can not overdo it. Remember, it's better to undershoot than overshoot.
Chicory for children
Parents always want only the best for their children and, first of all, everyone wants their most precious babies to be healthy. Many parents who use chicory and want to share its healing qualities with the kids are wondering when it is possible to give it to children and can it be done at all?
In fact, there is no clear answer to these questions. Pediatric specialists themselves are divided into two camps, where some are in favor and others are against. Someone puts age restrictions, not recommending giving it to kids under two years old, due to the fact that the drink can negatively affect the formation of the nervous system. In fairness, it should be noted that this fact has the right to exist. The fact is that chicory, despite the absence of caffeine in it, can excite like coffee. And this action is due to the effect on the nervous system.
But, that's all. The drink is really very useful and is able to have a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora, thereby stimulating the immune system, which is good for children. If the child has no contraindications, then it is quite possible for him to drink a small cup a day. The fact that the drink is included in the menu of kindergartens can serve as a confirmation of safety.
Chicory for weight loss
It is impossible to say that using chicory you can lose weight from just one idea. By itself, it does not play a major role, but the fact that in this process it is one of the tools to combat excess weight is known for sure. Its chemical composition and broad spectrum of action allows you to speed up the process of obtaining the desired results, but mainly only because when it is used, metabolism is improved and bowel function becomes more productive.
As a “weight loss” remedy, chicory is best used in conjunction with proper nutrition, reducing the amount of calories consumed. In this case, new fats will not accumulate, and those that are available will begin to be actively processed.
If you don't like the bitterness that is often associated with chicory, you can remove it by adding skimmed milk. True, as we remember from the harm of chicory with milk, they are not very compatible with each other.
chicory for diabetes
Chicory is rightfully considered one of the healthiest drinks that can be consumed by patients with diabetes. This is primarily due to the presence of fructose in the root of the plant, which acts as a worthy substitute for sugar.
The drink is also valued for inulin, which is fundamentally a large amount. It creates the effect of hypoglycemia. Chicory lowers the level of sugar in the blood and does not allow the latter to jump, which is very useful for such a disease. It is difficult to underestimate the benefits of inulin in impaired carbohydrate metabolism, which leads to failures in glucose tolerance.
Chicory can often be seen on the list of recommended drinks that help avoid the complications of diabetes. It is used during the treatment of obesity, it helps to remove bad cholesterol from the body, reduces triglyceride levels. The drink gives a long feeling of fullness, so any diet with it does not seem so painful.
How much chicory per day
Despite the fact that chicory is very useful, you should not get involved in its use in large quantities. As is the case with many useful products, there is a line when even the most useful things, when consumed excessively, begin to bring the exact opposite effect to the body, and chicory is no exception.
The optimal amount that can be set as a daily allowance is a couple of cups. It is this amount that will benefit and not harm. Anything over that is considered overkill. Just remember the contraindications and do not drink the drink if you have any of the list.
How to cook chicory
Chicory is the world's most popular coffee substitute. And all why? Because it is very similar in color and taste to a drink made from roasted grains. But still, avid coffee lovers do not recognize the similarities between these comrades, characterizing the taste of chicory as insipid and slightly aromatic. Therefore, in order to extract its healing properties, many simply add ground product to coffee. Chicory has a positive effect on the taste of the latter, making it even more intense.
So how do you cook chicory?
- Purchased or prepared on your own chicory powder, in the amount of 1-2 teaspoons, pour into a cup. The amount of dry product can be adjusted independently, depending on the desired strength.
- Pour boiling water over and let steep for about three minutes.
- After that, to taste, add milk or cream and sugar to taste.
The drink is now ready to drink. Everything is very simple, tasty and healthy.
Chicory: recipes
In conclusion, we suggest you bake very tasty and healthy muffins that are easy to prepare and quickly eaten. They contain chicory extract, which makes them even more valuable.
morning muffins
- a glass of muesli;
- half a glass of flour;
- half a glass of sugar;
- chicken egg;
- a glass of kefir or natural yogurt;
- four tablespoons of vegetable oil;
- a pinch of vanillin;
- three teaspoons of cinnamon;
- a couple of teaspoons of baking powder;
- half a teaspoon of chicory extract;
- half an apple.
- Pour muesli with yogurt (or kefir). Cut the apple into small pieces.
- Preheat the oven well to 180°C. Grease muffin molds with butter.
- Sift the flour and add the baking powder, cinnamon and vanilla to it.
- Beat eggs with butter and sugar.
- Add chicory to beaten eggs. It will give a beautiful brown color to baked goods.
- Add muesli there.
- While stirring, add flour.
- Add finely chopped apples and mix well again.
- Pack into molds so that the dough fills it 2/3.
- Bake the dessert for about half an hour, and then let them brew in the oven, turning it off, for about seven minutes. Take it out and leave it alone for another 10 minutes.
