What kind of quality chicory? How to choose quality chicory? For the cardiovascular system

Nov 18, 2016

Ancient warriors have a romantic legend associated with chicory.. When their wives and girlfriends accompanied them to battle, they tied a chicory root to their weapon so that their loved one would return home safe and sound. Well, with victory, of course.

Ancient scientists also believed in the power of chicory. Avicenna, for example, used this plant to treat stomach and eye ulcers, as well as gout; he believed that chicory “opens blockages in blood vessels,” helps with arrhythmia and is very good as a thirst-quenching drink.

Preserved the history and facts of using medicinal plants to remove damage. Wizards and wizards believed that chicory increases the body's defenses and can defeat the most serious opponent.

Chicory - what is it and what is it made from?

Common chicory is a wild representative of the aster family. In Russia it grows almost everywhere. It has beautiful blue (less often pink or white) flowers. The stems are covered with villi.

All parts of this plant (leaves, fruits and stem) are medicinal, but especially useful - root It’s not for nothing that people respectfully called him the king-root.

In order to obtain more valuable raw materials, the plant began to be cultivated already in the 19th century - the first man-made plantations appeared in the Yaroslavl province.

Today to the question, what is “chicory”, we usually answer: “Drink”, and imagine store shelves where instant powder made from the roots of the plant takes its rightful place next to tea and coffee.

Recently, manufacturers have significantly expanded their range, so that the buyer can choose chicory with ginseng, blueberries, rose hips and other useful additives.

Well, advanced gardeners will not fail to remind you that there is also chicory salad, which is considered a delicacy in many countries and is gradually gaining popularity in Russia.

It looks almost the same as its traditional relative, but when forced, it produces heads of cabbage that are tasty and healthy.

Beneficial properties of chicory for the body and chemical composition

The beneficial properties of the plant are due to its chemical composition, in which the most valuable, a substance rarely found in nature - inulin, an analogue of sugar. You will learn what chicory inulin is from this.

But besides him, chicory has a lot of useful properties: tannins, pectin, carotene, several types of vitamins, microelements. It is not surprising that the list of medicinal properties of chicory is very extensive.

This plant:

has a vasodilating effect;
improves blood composition;
has a beneficial effect on intestinal microflora;
frees the body from various toxins;
heals wounds and inflammation;
lowers sugar levels;
strengthens the body's immune capabilities;
helps relieve fever in the patient;
relieves discomfort when you have a headache;
has a diuretic effect;
good for the liver, gall bladder.

Doctors recommend to his patients chicory for various diseases. Anemia, oncology, obesity, heartburn - in different circumstances, the doctor can suggest the method of using the plant that will be most effective. Various recipes for preparing chicory are presented.

For gastritis

For gastritis with high acidity, as well as if the patient has damage and erosion on the mucous membranes, chicory is not the safest product.

Therefore, before you start using it, you will need to consult a doctor. If there are no objections on his part, then You can take chicory as an infusion or decoction or as a coffee substitute (with sugar and milk).

The infusion is prepared in a thermos(at the rate of five spoons of powder per half liter of water), drink a quarter glass before meals. In order to prepare a decoction, you will need half a glass of powder and a liter of water.

The broth is prepared over low heat for half an hour, then filter. Take one tablespoon during meals.

Pancreatitis

If a person is diagnosed with pancreatitis or cholecystitis, the contents of chicory can provide great support to the body. inulin, which restores the functioning of the pancreas.

The healing drink is prepared directly from the root. It is finely chopped and fried, and then poured (20 g) into a small saucepan with 200 ml of water.

Boil for ten minutes and strain. Take one tablespoon 15 minutes before meals.

A decoction prepared with the participation of other medicinal plants - elecampane, dandelion, burdock (all ingredients, including chicory, are taken in the same quantity) also helps well.

Diabetes mellitus

Benefits of chicory for diabetics due to the presence of inulin in the plant. It regulates sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. This disease is systemic in nature, which means it can only be treated comprehensively.

That is why chicory, which has a whole “arsenal” of healing capabilities, helps solve several problems at once: heals the liver (it is one of the most problematic organs for diabetics), strengthens bones and protects against fractures, suppresses bad cholesterol, restores immunity, and of course, fights high sugar levels.

For many diabetics, one of the most serious problems is excess weight. Chicory helps solve this problem too.

Gout

Can chicory be used for gout? Doctors do not have a consensus on this matter.

The root of this plant contains a large amount of calcium oxalates, which in case of gout cause harm to the body.

However, chicory also has useful qualities: it improves metabolism and helps eliminate unwanted products from the body.

How to be? The answer is most likely somewhere in the middle: use it, but with caution, no more than a cup of drink per day.

And even better - prepare an infusion, which uses not only the root, but also the grass (stem, leaves). A teaspoon of medicinal raw material is poured with boiling water and infused for an hour.

This infusion helps in the fight against edema and dulls the pain characteristic of this disease.

You can also use chicory externally, in the form of a poultice– they are tied to the inflamed joint and kept overnight.

Mastopathy

Used in the treatment of mastopathy herbal mixture consisting of chicory, fireweed, dandelion and burdock root.

All components are taken equally. The ratio of medicinal raw materials and water is a couple of tablespoons of herbs per 500 ml of boiling water.

Health benefits and harms for women and children

Women value chicory for its ability to lose weight. This happens due to the removal of waste and toxins from the body. Chicory infusion (a teaspoon per 500 ml of water) should be taken approximately half an hour before meals, three times a day.

It is very important that a woman not only gets rid of extra pounds, but also receives a healing effect on her entire body - the liver functions better, sweating disappears, from which many representatives of the fair sex suffer who have entered Balzac's age.

Chopped chicory herb, brewed in a thermos (you can see the rating of the best thermoses) is used by women for relaxing anti-cellulite baths(for one procedure, it is enough to dilute 250 ml of decoction in a bathtub filled with water).

The duration of exposure to the body is no more than a quarter of an hour. Such baths should be taken regularly (the course consists of 21 sessions), only then can the desired result be achieved.

If you prepare a decoction of 30 g of roots and stems and four glasses of water, you will get excellent hair growth enhancer. Women will definitely like it. The decoction is rubbed into the roots and scalp and washed off after 10 minutes.

Chicory extract is also useful for children. To strengthen the immune system, against diarrhea, to normalize weight. Chicory with milk(a kind of coffee drink) is often included in the menu of children in kindergarten.

Healing properties for men

As you know, men don’t really like to be treated, so a cup of chicory instead of coffee will be a medicine for them at the same time.

For bachelors whose diet is usually poorly organized, chicory helps in the treatment of diseases such as gastritis, constipation (however, it must be borne in mind that the effect of chicory on different people may differ - this herbal preparation strengthens or weakens depending on the amount drunk and the use of various additives, for example milk).

Many skin problems that men suffer from more often than women (for example, psoriasis, seborrhea) are treated with alcoholic tinctures of chicory.

Men can get a positive effect with urological problems(for example, if prostate adenoma is diagnosed), with diseases of the reproductive system.

If a man abuses alcohol, which, unfortunately, is not uncommon, chicory will help him cleanse the body of accumulated harmful substances and support the liver.

Kinds

There are different methods of processing medicinal raw materials, thanks to which the consumer has a choice: you can buy liquid chicory (very concentrated), soluble and granulated (easy to use), freeze-dried (vitamins and microelements are fully preserved in it) or ground fried (the most aromatic).

Each type has its own pros and cons. To choose a product you like, it is advisable to try each one.

Calorie content

If we talk about the benefits of chicory for most people, it is necessary to mention its low calorie content.

The average caloric content of one hundred grams of chicory powder is 72 kcal. The roasted root extract contains 263 kcal, and the raw root contains 378 kcal.

How many cups can you drink per day

Doctors insist: if we are talking about a healing product (and chicory really heals), then it should not be taken uncontrollably.

How often? No more than three cups during the day.

If you drink chicory more actively, then its ability to regulate blood pressure (increase low blood pressure and reduce high blood pressure) can cause harm instead of benefit, turning a hypotensive patient into a hypertensive patient with all the ensuing consequences.

How is it different from coffee and which is better?

The main difference between these drinks is that coffee contains caffeine, chicory does not. It is for this reason that coffee is contraindicated for pregnant women and nursing mothers, while a cup of chicory is completely acceptable. We discussed the pros and cons of consuming chicory during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

It's hard to say which drink is better. From a medicinal point of view, chicory is better. Well, as for taste sensations, coffee will most likely win, at least among fans of this invigorating drink.

Which chicory is better to buy: instant or powdered?

Better is healthy, and the most useful of all types of chicory is natural ground. Next comes the liquid extract. Powdered chicory is less useful than others.

The buyer must definitely study the composition of the purchased product to make sure: it contains neither cereals nor fried acorns, but only healthy chicory.

See also, Are there any lumps or sticky pieces in the product?: both are a sign of poorly established production technology and violations during transportation and storage of the product.

Unfortunately, there may be a fake on the shelf. According to experts, Instant and ground products are often counterfeited by adding cheap ingredients. Therefore, if a guarantee against counterfeit is important to you, purchase liquid chicory.

Pay attention to the packaging. Chicory absorbs moisture well, so It is advisable that the packaging be waterproof(vacuum or metallized).

The best manufacturers

“Test purchase” in a TV show on one of the popular channels noted brand products as the best samples "Health" and "Russian chicory".

But the soluble “Cicorich”, which is more often found on store shelves than other brands, was disappointing: it contained 80 percent less inulin than the required norm.

The Coffitel brand is well rated(JSC Russian Product). The company produces healing chicory with strawberry and chokeberry extract.

Among foreign samples we can distinguish German granulated drink "Elza"- This is selected, 100 percent chicory.

High quality, as a rule, is distinguished by products from France and Poland. In these countries, the plant is cultivated in ideal natural conditions.

Presented in this article. Which is better to choose - millstone, knife, hand? We'll tell you!

- valuable drink

Advantages: in the text

Disadvantages: no

Choosing chicory

Chicory is a plant from the Asteraceae family, which has flowers somewhat reminiscent of blue cornflower. It is sometimes called the blue flower. Names such as sherbak, or roadside grass, have taken less root.

It is from this plant, or rather from its roots, that the well-known drink chicory is prepared. For many, chicory is a kind of coffee substitute, but it brings great benefits. However, for some reason, coffee came to the fore, and chicory was undeservedly relegated to the background. However, this drink is so healthy that it can be consumed even by children and women during pregnancy. What can hardly be said about coffee. However, before you buy chicory, you should figure out what exactly you are buying.

First of all, it should be said that in Russia, a drink made from chicory has been known for quite a long time. It was used back in the 19th century, and in different places in Russia. The usual way to prepare the drink was to roast chicory roots. Currently, chicory raw materials are harvested on special plantations, and it can be bought in a variety of stores and supermarkets. In any case, in a large city or metropolis there will never be problems with this. Most often you can find soluble chicory on sale, but insoluble chicory is also found.

According to the national standard, a good quality chicory drink is a fine fine powder. It is colored in different shades of brown, can be light brown or dark brown. By and large, this does not greatly affect its properties. A well-prepared drink has a fairly pleasant taste, which is slightly bitter. The main beneficial substance of chicory is inulin; it is contained in a good quality product at least 30%.

What are the different types of chicory?

Chicory is classified depending on how and how the roots are processed. Liquid chicory extract is prepared by evaporating the liquid that is obtained from the roots in a multi-step process. To prepare soluble chicory, the roots are ground and then fried, then an extract is made from them, and then it is dried. However, you can get this option in another, more gentle way. In this case, the powder is prepared by the type of evaporation of a liquid extract. Finally, by roasting and grinding the roots, ground chicory can be obtained. According to most experts, it is ground chicory that is the most useful, while in this case there is no any heat treatment, and during frying many useful components are lost. It should also be noted that in this case you can very conveniently and quickly prepare a chicory drink. Many people prefer to prepare chicory the traditional way by roasting and grinding the roots. However, ground chicory can rarely be found in supermarkets and in general stores. Instant chicory is sold everywhere and is produced by many manufacturers. The advantage is that it prepares quite quickly, similar to liquid extract.

When purchasing this product, it is important to remember that counterfeits or adulterations are common. Most often, soluble chicory powder, as well as the ground product, are counterfeited. Unscrupulous manufacturers quite often add various other additional ingredients to chicory powder, for example, cheap rye flour, as well as barley flour or oats.

Another component of counterfeit chicory is a substance called maltodextrin. When taking this component, there is a sharp jump in blood glucose, which is comparable to the type of regular sugar. If a person has diabetes, then consuming such a product is really dangerous, since you can get serious health problems.

There are certain options for identifying hidden unwanted components in chicory. For example, you can make a slightly transparent solution of the drink and add a few drops of iodine to it. If purple color is formed, it means that ground barley, or oats, or other sounds have been added. In this case, we are dealing with an iodine-starch reaction, since starch gives a blue color with iodine. If the chicory powder is very dusty, very light-colored, then most likely there is maltodextrin present, and it is advisable not to buy such a product at all, so as not to cause problems for yourself.

Also, when purchasing, you should pay attention to the packaging of the drink. Chicory powder is quite hygroscopic and can absorb large amounts of moisture. Thus, if you take a lot of it and don’t drink it for a long time, then it can simply become prohibited and lose its properties. Chicory covered with mold is no longer suitable for consumption and is destined for the trash bin. Therefore, it is desirable that the packaging be metallized, sealed, and even better if it is vacuum packaging.

Do not take food in plastic or paper packaging. For the same reasons as listed above.

What is definitely important to remember and know

The taste of chicory drink depends on how its roots are fried. The darker the drink you buy, the more intense the flavor it will have. However, there is some inverse relationship here regarding the beneficial properties of chicory. The lighter the chicory powder, the more useful components it will contain, and accordingly, the more benefits it will have for the body.

If you buy a package of instant drink, you should definitely test it thoroughly. If you feel various hard lumps and agglomerations, then the storage conditions have clearly been violated, so the drink has gained moisture and, due to its hygroscopicity, has become lumpy.

If the drink has a very strong and pungent smell, as they say with too much, then most likely it could not have been done without adding flavorings. It is better not to buy a drink with flavorings, since it is unknown what effect it will have on the body. We also pay attention to what country the drink comes from. It is better if it is grown in the mild Mediterranean conditions. Therefore, it is better if you buy French, German or Polish chicory. In Russia, most chicory has always been grown and is now grown in the Yaroslavl region.

Drinks from different manufacturers differ to a certain extent, even if it is the same France or Poland. You can buy one brand, and you will like one, but another, released in the same country, may have a completely different taste and aroma. In a word, it all comes down to taste preferences.

You should not forget that at home it can sometimes be quite difficult to determine what quality your drink is and how natural it is. This can only be reliably said if laboratory tests are verified. It is thanks to them that you can determine whether the drink has been falsified, or whether you are dealing with a natural product. After all, nowadays they have learned how to make fakes quite skillfully, and even in laboratories it is not always possible to clearly find out everything.

The current generation strives for a healthy lifestyle, which cannot be maintained without proper nutrition. Therefore, do not forget to pay attention not only to the foods in your diet, but also to the drinks. It has long been known that the benefits of instant coffee are not so high, so people have resorted to using its substitute. Liquid chicory is considered a very healthy, valuable drink with excellent taste and unusual aroma. And the complete absence of caffeine will only benefit the human body.

Benefit

To get the benefits, you need to know how to drink this drink correctly. Pour 1-2 teaspoons of soluble powder into hot boiled water. Let it brew. You don’t have to add sugar, since the coffee substitute already has a sweet taste.

The variety of beneficial properties of soluble chicory is great. He is capable of:

normalize the processes of the digestive system;
improve the functioning of the liver and spleen;
cleanse the body of harmful substances and remove salts, waste and toxins.

100 g of chicory contains 21 kcal, of which 1.7 g of protein, 0.2 g of fat and 4.1 g of carbohydrates, which makes it a dietary product. Chicory root has a rich vitamin composition, including micro- and macroelements, namely:

vitamin A;
vitamin E;
vitamin C;
vitamin K;
B vitamins - B1, B2, B5, B6, B9, PP;
magnesium;
selenium;
manganese;
potassium;
copper;
calcium;
zinc;
iron;
sodium;
phosphorus;
alimentary fiber;
ash;
omega-3;
omega-6;
arginine;
threonine;
tryptophan;
oleic and linoleic acids.

Thanks to the consumption of chicory, your immune system is always protected, since drinking the drink is a good prevention of colds and viral diseases. The high content of substances such as iron and potassium is useful for anemia and anemia. They, in turn, are able to dilate blood vessels and restore the rhythmic functioning of the heart muscles. A sufficient dose of a healthy drink is responsible for normalizing cholesterol, which directly affects blood pressure. A particularly important vitamin group B is responsible for the functioning of the nervous system.

The liquid extract contains flavonoids, oxycoumarin, lactulose, and inulin. The listed elements are necessary in the body’s fight against dysbiosis. When fighting excess weight, chicory is absolutely necessary, because it has low calorie content, and also has the ability to burn fat and satisfy hunger well.

The powerful functioning of the digestive tract organs is restored, the effect of microorganisms leading to inflammatory processes is weakened, and beneficial microflora in the intestines is stimulated. Chicory is an excellent helper for dissolving gallstones, easing heartburn attacks, and also starting the activation of metabolic processes in the liver.

A decoction of the plant product exhibits its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial qualities and affects the healing of skin lesions. The drink significantly reduces overall blood sugar and is responsible for controlling cravings for sweet foods. Because of this, chicory is so loved among people with diabetes and those struggling with obesity. The content of metabolic catalysts in the composition starts work on the fight against excess weight. Antihelminthic, choleretic and antipyretic effects are noticeable.

The drink also improves the general condition of the skin: maintains tone, restores the level of collagen in cells. The vitamins and minerals contained in the plant are responsible for the healthy appearance of hair and nails.

Harm

If you do not know how to use this drink, you can easily harm your health. Therefore, it is best to consult a doctor.

Contraindications:

vascular, varicose diseases, as well as hemorrhoids;
gastritis and ulcers;
individual intolerance to ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
diseases of the liver, kidneys, gall bladder (a large amount of chicory puts a lot of stress on the organs);
asthma, bronchitis and cough (the symptoms will begin to worsen from the drink);
low blood pressure;
Pregnant women and also during lactation should abstain.

Comparison with dry powder

On store shelves you can come across two types of chicory drink: ground (the plant is subjected to heat treatment - roasting) and liquid (based on a natural 100% concentrated extract). When buying instant chicory, make sure that there are no lumps in the pack.

The packaging must be hermetically sealed, and the powder must have a bitter taste. Choose a product without flavorings, as they destroy half of the nutrients in the drink. The exception is natural additives - ginger and rose hips. Lemon and honey can complement the taste of the drink. But this, however, will increase calorie content.

The highest level of concentration of beneficial substances is preserved in liquid chicory. It is quite difficult to make a fake based on it, but storing it is even easier. It is enough to dilute it with water, and it will help with insomnia, stress and excessive excitability. You may notice that chicory liquid is used in the preparation of confectionery products.

If you want, you can prepare this powder at home. The main thing is to purchase chicory root. Next, you dry it, fry it, grind it to a powdery substance, and send it to be stored under certain conditions. You will have to try, but as a result you will get a completely different taste and quality of the drink.

In fact, instant and liquid chicory are no different from each other. Both types retain the entire spectrum of beneficial substances, as well as taste and aroma. It is absolutely impossible to say that liquid is better than soluble. It all depends on the personal choice of the buyer. Therefore, if you are going to give up tea and coffee for some reason, but cannot imagine your life without a cup of something hot and aromatic, pay attention to liquid chicory. The simplicity of its preparation is attractive, and the lack of caffeine provides invaluable health benefits.

About the beneficial properties of chicory, see the next issue of the program “Live Healthy!”

Instant chicory is made from the root of the plant of the same name, which has gained popularity as a substitute for natural coffee. The drink made from it not only looks and tastes like coffee, but also contains many useful components that coffee does not have. It is recommended for people for whom caffeine is contraindicated. The plant is also used in folk medicine and cuisine of different nations.

How to choose instant chicory?

The root of common chicory is very powerful: it grows up to 15 meters long. Soluble chicory is produced industrially by grinding dried and roasted rhizomes - separately or together with coffee beans.

The powder is diluted with boiling water and an aromatic drink similar to coffee is obtained. Its advantages are that chicory does not contain caffeine, and that it has a natural sweetish taste, and therefore does not require sugar. Powdered chicory is often added to dishes and baked goods.

Manufacturers offer various types of product. How to choose instant chicory from this variety?

Experts pay special attention to the amount of inulin. This substance is broken down into fructose and other compounds that enter the blood. The rest is excreted, removing heavy metals, cholesterol, and toxic components from the body. A quality product contains a lot of inulin. Experts call the high-quality drinks “Galka Ranok”, “Khutorok”, “Golden Root”, “Zdorovye”, “Tsikorinka” (with stevia).

Visually, the product looks like a dry powder, without foreign additives, lumps or sticky layers.
Sold in airtight containers, it also requires airtight containers for storage.
You need to scoop up chicory with a dry spoon, like other hygroscopic substances.
When exposed to moisture, the powder turns into a solid substance that is unsuitable for consumption.

Liquid chicory is also soluble - a thick dark extract with a rich, bitter taste. It is released in cans. They are diluted with either boiling water or non-hot water - depending on your preference. When sweetened, the bitterness begins to resemble the taste of chocolate. The extract is easier to store and prepare than the powder product.

Fillers are added to some varieties of the drink: sea buckthorn, lemongrass, ginseng, rose hips, cinnamon, blueberries, stevia. Natural additives enrich the taste and affect both the properties and the price of the product.

Soluble chicory powder

Soluble powdered chicory is one of the best substitutes for natural coffee. This is a natural product without preservatives, dyes or other additives; it is obtained using a special technology, when the root is crushed and dried. In this regard, its properties are somewhat different from the ordinary root, but most of the beneficial qualities are preserved.

Instant chicory appeared on the market relatively recently, but has already found its admirers. And not only for taste, but also for therapeutic and prophylactic properties. The drink causes the following positive changes:

strengthens sleep, protects against stress, nervous and emotional overload;
normalizes cardiac activity;
regulates digestion, eliminates toxins from the intestines;
reduces blood sugar;
speeds up metabolism, promotes weight loss.

Since chicory also has medicinal properties, it is necessary to know about contraindications and undesirable consequences when consuming it.

Information about this is contradictory. Some sources write that the product is useful to almost everyone. Others, on the contrary, name entire lists of contraindications. Here is information about who should be careful when starting to take chicory drink regularly.

For ulcers and gastritis, the drink can worsen the situation.
With hemorrhoids, it can cause bleeding.
If you have an unstable psyche, it can cause increased excitability.
If you are prone to skin allergies, rashes, swelling, and itching are possible.

When purchasing a product, you should examine the packaging; a quality one should contain natural chicory, not its extract.

Properties of soluble chicory

Soluble chicory contains low-calorie inulin, which gives the drink sweetness (this substance is not found in coffee and tea). Therefore, less sugar is needed, just to soften the bitterness, and many people refuse it altogether.

Thanks to its unique composition, the drink invigorates you in the morning and helps you fall asleep in the evening. Added to coffee, chicory improves its properties and reduces the price.

Other properties of soluble chicory:

relieves stress, calms nerves;
dilates blood vessels, lowers blood pressure;
normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract;
removes toxins, has a beneficial effect on the liver;
increases the body's immune strength.

A drink made from chicory stimulates appetite and normalizes fever. Medicines containing chicory are used as choleretic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory drugs.

When applied externally, chicory has a healing effect; As an anti-cellulite procedure, salons use chicory wraps.

But these properties can also be harmful. Thus, the ability of chicory to dilate blood vessels can harm people suffering from hemorrhoids and varicose veins. The invigorating effect is undesirable for people with an unbalanced psyche. The root has an adverse effect on inflamed digestive organs and on the skin of people prone to allergies. When you have a cold, drinking chicory can strengthen your cough reflex.

Can pregnant women use instant chicory?

Can pregnant women use instant chicory? Definitely yes. This is one of the healthiest drinks during pregnancy. And, importantly, it can successfully replace coffee lovers’ usual morning drink.

Unlike coffee, instant chicory has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular and hematopoietic systems, calms the nerves and emotional state, eliminates constipation, heartburn and nausea. The drink supports the spleen, liver and removes poisons from the body; promotes the absorption of milk, which is so necessary for a woman expecting a child. With the help of chicory it is easy to prevent anemia in pregnant women. This is a source of additional vitamins, organic acids, and inulin. Chicory eliminates stagnation of bile and urine, stimulates metabolism.

However, there are also contraindications. Chicory increases appetite and can lead to excess weight. To avoid this, a pregnant woman should control herself by eating little and often.

The plant also stimulates and worsens cough. Therefore, when you have a cold, you should drink other drinks.

You should not drink instant chicory if you have gastritis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, gastric ulcers and duodenal ulcers. If an allergy to chicory and similar plants is detected, then an undesirable reaction to a drink from the root is also possible.

Instant chicory for children

Soluble chicory benefits not only adults, but also children. Instant chicory has been recommended for children since they are one year old, which is why it is included in the menu of kindergartens and nurseries.

The benefits of chicory are evidenced by the fact that it treats diathesis in newborns. But for a therapeutic effect, a decoction of the rhizome is used: it is added to a children's bath or compresses are made.

Instant chicory, like any other product, must be introduced carefully into the diet of a small child. To begin with, add a little powder to warm milk. It is important to monitor his reaction in order to prevent allergies at the very beginning. If no undesirable effects are observed, the dose can be gradually increased to two servings per day.

After 3–4 years, the dose of powder is increased to a teaspoon per day. If the child tolerates chicory normally, you can offer him a cold drink with the addition of honey, lemon and other juice.

You cannot give the product:

children under one year old;
with individual intolerance;
with a tendency to be overweight;
for pulmonary diseases.

A drink made from chicory improves appetite, enriches the body with vitamins, increases defenses, and calms the child. It has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and fever-reducing properties.

It is useful to add milk to your drink. In this form, lactic acids are well absorbed.

How to brew instant chicory?

The trade offers ready-made powders and liquid soluble chicory, including those with natural flavoring additives.

If you wish, you can prepare the rhizome yourself, dry it, fry it, crush it and store it in proper conditions. The technology of the process is described in many Internet sources devoted to medicinal plants and balanced nutrition. The taste of this drink is different, and the quality is guaranteed, but the process of producing raw materials is very labor-intensive.

There are a lot of tips and ways to brew instant chicory. The variety concerns additional ingredients: there are much more of them than for coffee. The classic of the genre is to simply pour boiling water over the powder and leave until it reaches a warm temperature. Since soluble chicory does not dissolve completely, the finished drink can be strained.

Some people like the drink with milk, cream, honey, sugar. There are chicory drinks with natural ingredients (berries and other healthy fruits) on sale.

Instant chicory recipes

Instant chicory recipes:

1. Take 1/5 tsp per serving of boiling water. instant chicory; add milk, sugar or honey if desired.
2. Take ¼ tsp per serving of boiling milk. powder and honey to taste.
3. Take a spoonful of chicory and cocoa powder per serving of drink; sugar to taste.
4. For a portion of instant chicory, take boiling water and half milk. Sweeten with sugar or honey.

Instant chicory with milk

Soluble chicory with milk is useful because it improves the absorption of milk several times. Many children readily drink a drink with milk or cream. It is prepared quickly and simply:

100 ml of boiling water and 50 ml of milk are mixed with 5 g of soluble chicory. Drink warm.

You can buy instant chicory in any supermarket, herbal stores, and some pharmacies. The product is packaged like classic coffee - in sealed bags or jars.

They also produce portioned bags for use in offices, camping trips or trips; The contents of the bags are filled with hot water or milk.

Instant chicory with rose hips

Soluble chicory contains inulin, fructose, intibin, vitamins, pectin, tannins and minerals, carotene, and organic acids.

Rosehip is rich in carotene, vitamins C, B and E, and minerals. The fruits of the plant increase immunity, cleanse the blood and vessel walls of cholesterol, tone and promote body growth.

Soluble chicory and rose hips go well together, moreover, their combined therapeutic effect is enhanced. Therefore, the product is used for so many health problems, and the finished drink in a can or ZIP package is now sold in many places. This packaging helps keep the powder dry and protects from third-party odors.

“Tsikorinka”, “Verkhovyna”, “Fitodar”, “Tsikorich”, “Tonus”, “Galka” are just some of the product brands. But before using the drink regularly for medicinal purposes, you need to consult a specialist.

The method for preparing the herbal drink is the same as for other coffee analogues: pour one or two tablespoons of powder per serving with hot water. You can sweeten, add milk or cream according to your preference. A portion drunk in the morning gives pleasure, gives vigor and energy.

Instant chicory with blueberries

Much has been said above about the benefits of instant coffee. Let us recall the properties of another popular plant - blueberries, the berries of which contain a whole bunch of vitamins and organic acids.

Blueberries perfectly regulate the functions of the digestive organs - thanks to their anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.

Ophthalmologists strongly recommend black berries to improve visual acuity and relieve eye fatigue after hard work, including on the computer. The biogenic components of blueberry fruits stimulate the renewal of the retina.

Blueberries are beneficial for diabetics because they can lower sugar levels.

The healing qualities of blueberries relieve anemia, help with kidney diseases, in particular, with the presence of stones, with rheumatism and skin problems.

Instant chicory with blueberries is produced by several companies producing herbal drinks. They should be prepared as standard, dissolving the powder or extract with hot water (1 - 2 spoons per cup of liquid). If desired, the natural bitterness can be softened with milk and honey. But many prefer the natural taste of the drink - as it is most reminiscent of natural coffee.

Instant chicory with ginseng

Manufacturers of instant chicory enrich the taste and properties of the drink with natural ingredients, including the famous ginseng.

Ginseng root is an excellent adaptogen. Valuable for its immunostimulating, strengthening, tonic effects. Ginseng inhibits tumor growth, slows down the aging of brain cells, and supports memory and attention.

The healing root also reduces cholesterol, preventing the development of atherosclerosis, and reduces blood sugar levels, which is important for insulin-dependent diabetes.

The components that make up ginseng have antiviral properties, therefore they are effective against herpes viruses, including the causative agents of AIDS.

Preparations based on the plant are recommended for loss of performance, impotence, outbursts of irritability; The medicine also helps in restoring the body after serious illnesses, major injuries and operations.

Soluble chicory with ginseng is used as a drink, without strict dosage. Usually 2-3 servings a day are enough, prepared to taste - with milk, honey, sugar.

Brewed malt bread with instant chicory

Bread is the head of everything, and this is not just a poetic image. A person needs it every day, never gets bored and contains almost all the substances the body needs.

The introduction of additional ingredients into the bread recipe increases the taste and nutritional value of the product. Thus, soluble chicory enriches dietary bread with proteins, vitamins, organic acids, inulin, and microelements.

Custard malt bread with instant chicory can be baked at home - in the oven or bread maker.

First, prepare the dough: measure out 3 g of yeast (fresh), 50 g of kefir, 1 tsp. molasses, a little flour taken from the total portion.
The brewing is done like this: a teaspoon of malt is brewed with 50 g of boiling water.

Flour (70 g rye and 330 g wheat), 200 g wheat sourdough, 4 g coriander, 3 g chicory powder, 30 g water, 60 g kefir are poured into the bread machine.

After 45 minutes, mix all the parts, add salt (2 tsp) and 5 g of mustard oil. Bake for 55 minutes. at 180 degrees. The result is a fluffy and tasty loaf.

How to drink instant chicory correctly?

Prepare and drink chicory powder in the same way as an instant coffee drink: pour boiling water over it, add (or not) milk and sugar. Many people immediately perceive this drink positively and get two in one: benefits and pleasure.

It is more difficult for those who are trying to replace natural coffee with chicory. When asked how to drink instant chicory correctly, experienced people advise getting used to it gradually. To begin, prepare your morning drink by adding up to 3 parts of coffee and one – chicory. Depending on the strength of the chicory, you can take different amounts, but no more than two teaspoons per serving. Next, you should equalize the proportion, and then bring it to 3:1 in favor of chicory.

After getting used to it, you can skip adding coffee and switch to pure instant chicory in such a painless way for the body. This applies to cases where there are no contraindications. But even healthy people should not get carried away and remember moderation: 2–3 cups per day are enough. It is better to drink them in the first half of the day.

Harm of soluble chicory

For preventive purposes, nutritionists advise drinking two cups of instant chicory per day. An excess of chicory is fraught with diarrhea, flatulence, and digestive disorders.

However, no cases of harm from soluble chicory have been described. Individual contraindications and hypersensitivity are possible, especially if manufacturers add dyes or flavors of non-natural origin to the product. Therefore, you need to start drinking a new drink with a small portion.

If you find that a serving of instant chicory causes palpitations, nausea, dizziness or weakness, eliminate the drink from your diet and, if necessary, visit a doctor. There may be contraindications that you were not aware of.

Some properties of chicory can be harmful. Thus, the drink is not recommended for patients with bronchitis, asthma, hemorrhoids, or acute gastrointestinal pathologies; they should not be used if you have a severe cough or are recovering from surgeries in the body cavities. An overdose of ascorbic acid is dangerous due to allergies and hypervitaminosis, especially in pregnant women.

Chicory is known to many as an analogue or alternative to coffee, while its beneficial properties used in folk medicine are undeservedly forgotten. Today, instant chicory is getting a second wind and is becoming very popular among people who profess a healthy diet. If there are no contraindications, anyone can join the community of drink lovers. Drink and enjoy!

Useful properties of soluble chicory

The benefit of chicory is that it helps those for whom caffeine is harmful to their health to give up coffee. Not all the beneficial properties of soluble chicory have been studied, but what has already been studied is more than enough. Thus, the substance has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, tonic, diuretic and choleretic, metabolism-stimulating qualities.

Soluble chicory has a beneficial effect on the entire body:

eliminates colds with sore throat and other throat diseases,
protects gums from pathogenic microorganisms,
normalizes the functioning of the digestive tract.

Chicory prevents rotting and fermentation of food, eliminates stagnation of bile and constipation, gently removes excess water, thereby helping to lower blood pressure.

The beneficial ingredients of chicory maintain the tone and energy of the body - without harmful consequences for blood vessels and the heart. These include ascorbic acid, B vitamins, microelements, inulin polysaccharide, intibin glycoside.

Inulin in the fresh root is up to 60%, in dry raw materials - 75%, while in coffee and teas it is completely absent. This allows diabetics and overweight people to drink chicory without sugar.

Soluble chicory for weight loss

Soluble chicory has been successfully used to combat excess weight. What is the power of chicory rhizome?

The secret lies in the composition. Inulin, pectin, intibin are the main components that promote weight loss.

Inulin controls the formation of insulin, which in turn controls blood sugar levels. In the body, inulin is converted into fructose, which is responsible for energy production but does not cause weight gain. The same substance has a positive effect on the microflora of the digestive tract.
Pectin stimulates motility and cleanses the intestines of poisons.
Intibin activates metabolism and eliminates constipation, which is very important for normalizing weight.

In addition, chicory activates digestive and metabolic processes and removes excess fluid. Therefore, its use is recommended every time before meals, about half an hour.

Instant chicory for weight loss is drunk warm, preferably without sugar and honey. If an unsweetened drink seems too bitter, you can sweeten it: this will not reduce the benefits.

There are many effective drinks made from chicory for weight loss. The easiest way is to take a soluble product by pouring a teaspoon or two per serving of boiling water or milk. There are no officially established standards, but you still shouldn’t drink liters of chicory.

In truth, it should be noted that ground chicory or from pieces of root, as well as liquid extract, are more effective for weight loss. But no drink will work a miracle if, in parallel with its consumption, you do not take care of a balanced diet and an active lifestyle.

Soluble chicory for pancreatitis

Soluble chicory is used to prevent pancreatitis and treat diseased pancreas. The fact is that the beneficial substances of the drink dissolve and remove gallstones that block the outflow of enzymes from the gland. As a result, blood circulation is restored and the body is cleansed.

There is also the opposite opinion: the choleretic properties of the drink can provoke the passage of stones and blockage of the bile ducts, and this is very painful and dangerous to health. Therefore, the issue of using soluble chicory for pancreatitis should be decided by the attending physician.

In most cases, chicory is used as an addition to basic medications and diet, during the period of remission of a chronic process. The chicory drink is introduced into the patient’s diet gradually, prepared in a concentration of a teaspoon of powder per serving of water. You can improve the unusual taste with milk. The benefit is that the root stimulates the secretion of bile and the digestion process, prepares the body to process nutrients, and removes toxins and undigested substances.

If regular use of an instant drink is required, then dissolve 25 drops of chicory tincture and a few grams of honey in a glass of water. Drink a tablespoon daily, 20 minutes before meals.

This dosage improves metabolism, reduces sugar, eliminates bloating and pain in the gastrointestinal tract. Inulin, in particular, stabilizes the activity of the pancreas, which fails due to the inflammatory process.

Soluble chicory for hypertension

Soluble chicory is useful for hypertension for several reasons.

Firstly, it replaces coffee for people for whom caffeine is contraindicated.
Secondly, it does not increase blood pressure.
Thirdly, it reduces blood pressure very gently. In this regard, chicory is also suitable for hypotensive patients.

Hypertensive patients feel the result after a few days - if they use instant chicory regularly, monitor their blood pressure and well-being.

Blood pressure can increase with insomnia and stressful situations. The aromatic drink has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, prevents nervous and emotional overload, normalizes sleep, and increases resistance to stress.

The sweetish drink reduces sugar consumption, which is important for diabetics who are also susceptible to hypertension.

Ascorbic acid, which chicory is rich in, strengthens blood vessels, and potassium is needed for the heart muscle. Thanks to the drink, you can normalize your weight, because its excess is also dangerous for the development of hypertension. Inulin supports beneficial intestinal microflora, promoting digestion. In addition, chicory is useful for the normal functioning of the kidneys; Dysfunction may result in swelling and increased blood pressure.

The drink is prepared in the same way as tea or coffee: brewed in a Turk or thermos. Add honey, soy milk, and other ingredients.

Soluble chicory for liver diseases

For preventive purposes, soluble chicory is used to improve the functioning of many organs and systems, including digestion.

Soluble chicory should be used with extreme caution for liver diseases. Too large doses are harmful to the liver.

It is appropriate in the treatment of certain liver diseases: it accelerates metabolic processes, promotes the dissolution of gallstones, normalizes the activity of this and other organs: kidneys, spleen, gall bladder. Chicory is useful during the period of recovery from viral hepatitis.

Soluble chicory for type 2 diabetes

Chicory rhizome is rich in inulin, and in this context the plant is very interesting for diabetics. Inulin preparations made from chicory roots for type 2 diabetes:

have a pronounced hypoglycemic result;
reduce daily fluctuations in glucose in the patient’s blood.

Thanks to this, soluble chicory can be used for treatment as an additional treatment for type 2 diabetes.

Inulin also prevents the development of the disease, treats mild forms, and in moderate and severe forms helps reduce the dose of essential medications and prevent complications typical of diabetes.

The substance gives a satiating effect, which is important for diabetes and the excess weight that often accompanies this disease.

Soluble chicory for anemia

For iron deficiency anemia, the following remedy is recommended: a dessert spoon of chicory diluted in 200 ml of warm milk. Drink three times a day for 2 months.

Use it with caution when treating stress, depression, and insomnia.

People who react to ragweed may also be allergic to chicory root.

It is sold in stores in liquid and dry form. I have no doubt at all that the chicory plant has beneficial properties, because it is given by nature itself in its natural form. But everything that is sold in our stores undergoes industrial processing, and is there any place for beneficial properties and health promotion? And I want to figure out whether chicory is useful in this form?

On the Russian market, chicory is presented in three types. Let's study them.

Liquid chicory

It is obtained from the evaporation of liquid from chicory root. Then from the resulting liquid again. That is, chicory root goes through several processing processes. And only then is chicory extract obtained. Many online sources claim that the liquid extract, thanks to gentle processing, boasts the highest content of nutrients. I'm not entirely sure whether chicory is healthy in this form, since it goes through several stages of processing! But I cannot but agree that it is more difficult to counterfeit, since unscrupulous manufacturers, when making chicory, partially replace the medicinal root with cereals. This does not harm the body, but significantly reduces the taste and benefits of the drink. The easiest way for manufacturers is to mix “cereals” into instant and ground chicory, but more difficult - into a liquid extract. In addition, it is better stored, unlike powdered competitors.

Soluble chicory or freeze-dried

Is chicory beneficial in instant form? form? Perhaps this type of chicory raises the most doubts. Previously, chicory was either prepared ourselves or purchased in stores. But in any case, it had to be brewed like coffee beans. If you look at the packaging, there is nothing in the composition except the main ingredient. Instant chicory differs from regular brewed chicory in the way it is produced.

Initially, soluble chicory was obtained from an extract of this plant, which retained all its beneficial properties. Over time, the instant drink began to be produced using a new technology, which is very similar to the technology for producing regular instant coffee. In this case, the extract is extracted from roasted roots. Manufacturers claim that the beneficial properties of chicory are preserved even after the sublimation process. Connoisseurs of instant chicory are mainly people who lead an active lifestyle. Because to get an aromatic drink, just put the instant composition in a cup and pour boiling water over it. And in just a few seconds you can enjoy a cup of your favorite drink.

Ground chicory

With this method, the chicory root is first ground, and then fried. Most sources claim that it is with this method that the largest amount of vitamins and microelements remains in chicory. A quality product has a uniform brown color. The shade can be lighter or darker - depending on the roast and the desires of the buyer. Light chicory contains more vitamins than dark chicory, which has a brighter aroma. Ground chicory is prepared in the same way as instant chicory. Just after brewing with boiling water, you need to let it sit for a few minutes.

By the way, you can prepare ground chicory yourself. To do this, chicory roots need to be washed, dried, finely chopped and thoroughly fried in a frying pan (wait until the moisture has evaporated). And then cool and grind in a coffee grinder.

Which chicory is the healthiest?

It seems to me that this is the kind of chicory that we can prepare ourselves. We choose the plant ourselves, wash and dry it ourselves, prepare it ourselves and store it ourselves. Now all we have to do is wait for summer and try to make this healthy drink ourselves :)

Well, accordingly, of the store-bought options, in my opinion, the most useful is ground chicory, because its production process is closest to the folk method.

I am glad that chicory has long been in my kitchen. And I want to give you some advice. To get the maximum benefit from this drink, it is best to brew it with hot water, but not boiling water, and drink it without.

I, of course, prefer the taste of chicory with milk (or cream), just like coffee. But it's better not to do this. I'll explain why. Chicory contains a considerable amount of iron, and milk interferes with the absorption of iron in the body, so if you