7 Unique Health Benefits of Chicory Roots (Cichorium Intybus)
The chicory roots (Cichorium Intybus) has been grown since ancient Egypt and has been around for a while. Since the 19th century, it has also been a well-liked addition to coffee in France, where it was frequently roasted and ground.
A perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the dandelion family with brilliant blue blooms is the source of chicory root. Endive and icons are just two of the many types grown for salad greens, but crushed chicory root is also used in baking or substituted for coffee.
Because of its fibrous makeup, chicory root, which has a slight woody texture, is not digested in the small intestine but rather keeps its shape as it moves to the colon or large intestine.
The coffee and chicory mixture is said to have originated in Holland and expanded throughout the rest of Europe in the 1800s. Traditional uses for chicory root include making tea or adding it to medicines to cure conditions like jaundice, enlarged liver, gout, and rheumatism.
Coffee replaced chicory as the preferred beverage in America, and New Orleans rose to become the country’s second-largest coffee importer. However, because of the Union naval blockades preventing cargo from reaching the port, Louisianans began to think of using chicory root in their coffee during the American Civil War.
In reality, chicory root was frequently employed during coffee shortages, even in prisons, to help stretch the supply of coffee. Later, coffee was also replaced with acorns and beets. Chicory, on the other hand, had a more similar flavor profile, which made it a much better and more affordable complement.
Whatever the case, every Louisianan will tell you that it’s not only one of the best and tastiest traditions, but also a must-have when traveling there. It has become a crucial part of New Orleans’ heritage and is known as the chicory in a café au lait, which is chicory coffee with heated milk.
Chicory has a stiff, grooved, and generally hairless stem while it is in flower. It has a 1.5 m (5 ft) maximum height.
The stalked, lanceolate, and unlobed leaves are between 7.5 and 32 centimeters (3-12+12 inches) long (tiniest near the top), and between 2 and 8 centimeters (34 to 3+14 in) broad.
The 3-5 cm (1+1/4-2 in) wide flower heads are often light blue or purple, though they have sporadically been identified as white or pink.
The inner row of involucral bracts is longer and more upright than the outer row, which is shorter and spreading. From March through October, it blooms. The seed’s tip features tiny scales.
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7 Health Benefits Of Chicory Roots (Cichorium Intybus)
1. Reduces Stress
One of the key components of coffee is caffeine, and even very small levels of it can be found in decaffeinated varieties. Reducing your coffee intake can significantly reduce the levels of adrenaline and cortisol, both of which are released under stressful conditions and can increase stress.
According to a 2006 study that appeared in Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, stress and routine coffee usage significantly increased cortisol levels. Chicory is a wonderful alternative to lower your coffee intake and regulate your cortisol levels because it doesn’t contain any caffeine.
2. Anti-inflammatory
Plant polyphenols, which are organic substances with the capacity to aid in the prevention of inflammation, are abundant in chicory.
Taking caffeine-free chicory coffee for a week significantly improved red blood cell deformability, which measures the body’s capacity to adapt to inflammation by returning cells to their initial state, according to a study done at the University of Pécs Medical School in Hungary.
Therefore, it can be said that chicory can lessen inflammation, which is quite significant. Why? Since inflammation is the basis of the majority of diseases, lowering inflammation can help prevent the onset of many chronic health disorders.
Chicory root may help with symptoms of autoimmune illnesses like Hashimoto’s disease, a thyroid ailment that produces symptoms including weight gain and exhaustion, even if further research is needed to assess its impact on thyroid health.
3. Protects the Liver
According to certain studies, chicory root extract can aid in the prevention of free radical production and potential liver damage. A review found that using chicory extract to alleviate oxidative stress and prevent cell damage could improve the health of the liver.
These remarkable findings show that chicory extract is a potent natural antioxidant and efficient free radical scavenger. As a result, it may strengthen the body’s immune system while also detoxifying the liver.
4. May Prevents Diabetes
Starting with food, there are several natural approaches to control and treat diabetes. If you have diabetes, adding chicory to your diet may help you avoid or manage this prevalent condition.
47 healthy adults participated in a study that was published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine to assess the effects of roasted chicory extract.
Due to its high fiber content, chicory root extract has been shown to improve levels of adiponectin, a protein that controls blood sugar levels as well as the breakdown of fatty acids. This finding raises the possibility that chicory root extract may be able to prevent or delay the early onset of diabetes.
5. Prevents Osteoarthritis
It’s interesting to note that a clinical trial from the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center’s Rheumatic Diseases Division revealed that chicory root extracts may have anti-inflammatory qualities that could help treat osteoarthritis.
18 adults over 50 with hip or knee osteoarthritis participated in the study and received chicory treatment for a month. Chicory’s capacity to assist in the treatment of severe joint discomfort is demonstrated by the fact that, of the 18 patients who finished treatment, at least 13 patients displayed a 20% improvement in reaction to pain and stiffness.
6. Aids Gut Health
Inulin, a prebiotic, is found in the chicory root. One of the best food sources of prebiotics is fresh chicory roots, which provide roughly 68 grams of inulin per 100 grams.
Prebiotics can support the development of good bacteria in the stomach. For this reason, inulin, or chicory root fiber, is frequently found in probiotic supplements.
In addition to improving digestive health, fostering the growth of beneficial gut bacteria may also improve immunological performance, maximize nutritional absorption, and reduce inflammation.
7. Relieves Constipation
Because of its high inulin concentration, chicory root fiber has been demonstrated to ease constipation. For instance, a study that was published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition looked at the effects of chicory ingestion every day for 28 days on older persons who had constipation.
Volunteers in the inulin group reported improved satisfaction about digestion and fewer defecation issues during the supplementation, the study found. In an aged population with constipation, daily supplementation with 15 grams of inulin improves the quality of life.
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