Instant chicory: health benefits and harms, properties and contraindications

Coffee is the most popular energy drink today, but everyone knows that it causes significant harm to the body.

Its rich chemical composition and pleasant taste allow this powder to be used not only for making a tonic drink but also as a seasoning for many culinary dishes. Roasted roots are used to make instant powders, and the green leaves are added to salads.

In modern conditions, an increasing number of farms are cultivating this plant, despite its widespread natural habitat—meadows, forest belts, roadside areas, fields, and forest edges. The two most common species are the common and the salad.

Chemical composition and production method

The dried roots of common chicory are used to prepare the soluble powder. In botanical reference books, it is listed as Cichorium intybus. In the wild, it is a perennial plant, while cultivated varieties are biennial herbaceous plants.

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Coffee concentrate is produced through extraction. The main production stages are:

1. Harvesting, mechanical cleaning of roots from soil and damage.
2. Drying, chopping into cubes.
3. Frying the resulting mass.
4. Extraction of active components in hot water using carbon dioxide.
5. Obtaining dry extract by freezing out moisture.
6. Vacuum drying.

Instant chicory can be found commercially as a concentrated syrup. This product is prepared by extracting the juice from the roots, filtering it, and concentrating it. Since there is no roasting, the finished product has a less pronounced flavor but is rich in biologically active components.

The product is valued for its high inulin content, which belongs to a group of polysaccharides. Chemically, it is a derivative of fructose. This substance is not broken down in the human body. Inulin is a key prebiotic—a dietary fiber necessary for maintaining normal gastrointestinal microflora. The content of this substance in fresh roots is up to 80%; after roasting, it decreases by 50%.

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The beneficial properties of chicory are due to its rich chemical composition:

1. Thiamine – regulates protein metabolism, activates brain function, and helps normalize mental state.
2. Riboflavin – has a normalizing effect on the functioning of the reproductive system, maintains hormonal balance, and is an important element for ensuring hematopoiesis.
3. Carotene – maintains eye health and increases the body’s resistance to infections.
4. Ascorbic acid is a powerful antioxidant that protects cell membranes from the effects of free radicals.
5. Tannins have a beneficial effect on the intestinal mucosa and help normalize digestion.

Health benefits of instant chicory

Chicory not only has a general tonic and immune-boosting effect, but is also a means of preventing anemia, emotional exhaustion, intestinal disorders, hypertension and ischemic heart disease.

The presence of inulin is of great importance for the body. This substance is a coarse dietary fiber that helps maintain beneficial intestinal flora and stimulates the proliferation of beneficial bacteria.

Regular consumption of this instant drink helps relieve functional bowel diseases, constipation, and dysbiosis. Furthermore, normalizing the intestinal flora activates the body's defenses and increases nonspecific resistance.

Among the beneficial properties of this drink is also its anti-anemic effect, which is due to the increased content of iron and folic acid.

Vitamin C and phenols have pronounced antioxidant properties, which allows the use of chicory drink for the prevention of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

This drink also has the following effects:

1. Normalizes fat metabolism, reduces blood cholesterol levels and the risk of developing atherosclerotic complications.
2. Promotes rapid relief of inflammation symptoms such as pain and weakness.
3. It normalizes the synthesis of the satiety hormone ghrelin, which helps reduce appetite and change eating habits. With regular use, it normalizes energy metabolism and promotes weight loss.
4. Removes toxins and metabolic products from the body and has a choleretic effect.
5. Has a beneficial effect on blood glucose levels.

The benefits and harms of chicory for people over 50

As we age, our vitamin and mineral needs change, and we need to avoid tea and coffee due to their high caffeine content. For older adults, instant powdered drinks are preferable. This will help prevent the development of hypertension and angina, and normalize our lipid profile.

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Age characteristics and the influence of chicory

After age 50, many people suffer from cardiovascular disease. Thanks to its high content of vitamin C, as well as potassium and magnesium, it has a capillary-protective effect – it strengthens the inner walls of small vessels, reduces their fragility, and eliminates bleeding.

A beneficial effect on heart rate has also been observed; regular consumption of this drink can help relieve tachycardia and conduction disturbances. This product also dilates blood vessels and improves blood flow, which helps alleviate the symptoms of hypertension.

The impact on carbohydrate metabolism is especially important for the elderly. The incidence of type 2 diabetes increases significantly after age 50. Chicory helps lower blood glucose levels. Inulin accelerates carbohydrate absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and prevents fermentation.

Application for men

The male body is less resilient to external irritants, and constant stress and an unhealthy lifestyle can trigger the development of angina, hypertension, and other conditions. Recommendations for using chicory include:

1. To reduce the risk of complications such as hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke, transient cerebrovascular accidents, and myocardial infarction, chicory is recommended as a tonic drink.
2. This product also strengthens the body, promotes increased physical and emotional resilience, and improves concentration and memory.

   

3. Many men over 50 experience sexual and reproductive issues. After replacing natural coffee with chicory, many notice a restoration of erectile function and an increase in libido.
4. The drink also has a diuretic effect, helping to quickly remove toxic metabolic waste products from the body. With long-term use, it has the ability to break down and remove salt deposits in the kidneys and ureters.
5. In cases of prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis, it is possible to eliminate pain and discomfort during urination.
6. Drinking a coffee drink made from ground chicory helps improve well-being for men with unhealthy habits. Smokers experience reduced shortness of breath, and the frequency and intensity of coughing fits decreases.
   Interesting!

   This product will also help restore strength and vitality after drinking alcohol – just drink a cup of hot chicory with sugar in the morning to relieve hangover symptoms.
   This will help quickly remove toxic substances and normalize glucose delivery to brain tissue.

Application for women

As a woman ages, her hormonal levels undergo significant changes, and ovarian function declines. Decreased estrogen levels not only affect her appearance but can also lead to poor health and the development of various diseases.

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Chicory can help cope with many conditions and prevent certain diseases:

1. Daily consumption of chicory will help normalize your psycho-emotional state, eliminate fatigue, and restore your interest in life.
2. Unlike coffee, this product improves mood and cognitive function without causing insomnia.
3. Chicory influences the synthesis of the satiety hormone, making it an essential product for women who want to lose weight and change their taste preferences.

   

4. Of paramount importance for women who consume chicory is its positive effect on the condition of their hair, nails, and skin. Its high content of B vitamins, magnesium, and zinc helps prevent hair breakage, hair loss, and restore its natural shine. Skin regains a healthy, radiant appearance.
5. During menopause, women are at risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, which can lead to complications such as strokes and heart attacks. To stabilize heart function and normalize blood pressure, they should include chicory root tea in their diet.
6. It also contains a large amount of antioxidants, which protect the body from the effects of adverse environmental factors and are a means of preventing malignant neoplasms.

Contraindications to taking instant chicory and harm to the body

To avoid harming your body, chicory should be consumed no more than three times a day. It's important to consider the following characteristics of the drink and its effects on the human body:

1. Excessive fluid intake can cause swelling, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.
2. This product is not considered a strong allergen; however, in rare cases, allergic reactions such as hives, itching, and redness may occur. People with atopic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive bronchitis, and unexplained hypersensitivity reactions should limit consumption.
3. Given the pronounced vasodilating properties of chicory, it should not be consumed in the presence of the following pathologies: hemorrhoids, thrombophlebitis and post-thrombophlebitis complications, varicose veins of the lower extremities, varicose veins of the pelvic organs.

   

4. In some cases, large quantities of this instant drink can cause an exacerbation of chronic diseases of the digestive system - gastritis, duodenitis, esophagitis, colitis.
5. If you have thyroid disease, which is accompanied by high levels of thyroid hormones, you should avoid chicory.
6. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are not contraindicated. However, due to possible allergic reactions, use with caution. The active ingredients are excreted in breast milk, and excessive intake may cause flatulence and intestinal colic in the newborn.

Proper use of chicory

There's no need for healthy individuals to limit chicory consumption, as it has no toxic properties. Although this product is rich in vitamins and biologically active substances, there have been no reported cases of overdose. Most of the components are water-soluble, and excess is excreted in the urine.

Selection and storage

Liquid forms of instant chicory, such as concentrate or syrup, are best, as they aren't roasted during production and retain their full beneficial properties. This product tastes faintly like coffee and has a very distinctive aroma. It's much more difficult to counterfeit than dry powder.

When choosing at the store, it's important to evaluate the packaging's seal and the ingredients. A high-quality product will not contain preservatives, flavorings, starch, or barley flour. It's best to choose products in transparent glass jars, as they reliably protect the powder from moisture.

The smell is specific, not cloying.

Rules for preparing a healthy drink

The organoleptic properties of the finished drink depend heavily on the quality of the water used. Purified, non-hard water is best. Adding boiling water to the powder may result in a bitter taste. Therefore, it's best to use boiled water cooled to 70-80 degrees Celsius. To prepare 300 ml of the drink, 2 teaspoons of powder or granules are sufficient.

For a richer flavor, chicory can be brewed. Add 30-50 grams of powder to cold water, bring to a simmer over low heat, and pour into cups after a foam forms. When using liquid forms, dissolve a small amount of extract in boiled water and stir well. In some cases, the syrup is added to coffee or tea.

Compatibility with other products and medicines

There are a huge number of recipes for making drinks using instant chicory, but it should be noted that not all of them are equally beneficial:

1. Adding blackcurrant and raspberry jam will enhance the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of this product and help quickly eliminate the symptoms of colds and viral upper respiratory infections.
2. Using chicory with cow's milk or cream may cause iron deficiency.

   

3. Chicory pairs well with honey and other plant extracts. When trying to lose weight, it's best to use the plant-based sweetener stevia. This combination has a beneficial effect on blood pressure and promotes energy and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicory is one of the most widely consumed beverages worldwide, prized for its similarity in taste and aroma to coffee. Rich in vitamins and affordable, it is an essential part of the diet.

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