A healthy coffee substitute. Who can and who can’t drink chicory? | Food

You can see boxes of chicory on store shelves. Chicory is a herbaceous plant with blue flowers. The very soluble powder from which the drink is prepared is made from the root. The drink looks like coffee and tastes like it.

The main advantage of chicory is the presence of inulin. Experts spoke about the benefits of this product and cases when its consumption should be limited.

What are the benefits of chicory? More details

How and to whom is chicory useful?

The drink is similar to coffee in taste and appearance, but does not increase blood pressure. Therefore, it is considered the best substitute for coffee for those for whom this drink is contraindicated.

Information about the plant and its beneficial properties

Chicory belongs to the group of weeds and grows on roadsides, fields and meadows. The plant has an erect stem and blue inflorescences, thanks to which it is easily recognizable among other herbs. The greatest amount of nutrients is contained in chicory root; it is convenient to process it and extract extracts of medicinal components.

The aerial parts of the plant and inflorescences bring a lot of benefits, but the root is rich in vitamins, organic acids, inulin and other substances. It is recommended to use an instant drink like coffee, however, coffee is prohibited for many patients with severe signs of arterial hypertension. And chicory is allowed for them and is even beneficial due to the content of a large amount of healthy dietary fiber.

What other health benefits does the dried root of the plant have:

reduces glucose levels in blood plasma thanks to inulin;
stimulates the functioning of the renal system;
dilutes bile in the cavity of the bladder, improves the functions of the pancreas;
increases the body's resistance to respiratory diseases during their spread;
stabilizes the functioning of all parts of the nervous system;
improves mood, gives a feeling of cheerfulness.

Does chicory increase or decrease blood pressure? This is a common and inexpensive remedy containing a large amount of dietary fiber, which helps reduce weight, remove toxins and harmful waste products from the body, and improve digestive and excretory functions. In case of metabolic disorders, chicory also has a positive effect on these processes.

The plant has properties that calm the nervous system, stabilizes human blood pressure, and keeps the heart muscle toned.

Blood pressure-lowering components make chicory root drink indispensable for hypertensive patients who are prohibited from drinking strong tea and coffee. It is recommended by doctors to strengthen capillary tone, normalize blood supply to the brain and internal organs, and stabilize tonometer readings. Therefore, the answer to the question, can you drink chicory with high blood pressure, is unequivocal - not only is it possible, but it is also necessary.

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The fact that chicory lowers blood pressure due to the content of oxalic acid salts can have a detrimental effect on the well-being of hypotensive patients; they may experience worsening weakness, dizziness and fainting. Therefore, drinking a drink from the plant is indicated only for hypertensive patients or people who do not have any problems with blood pressure or signs of hypotension and hypertension.

The green part of the plant is used to prepare sedative compounds, the leaves are used as a diuretic, it is useful to use chicory for problems with the liver, stomach and inflammation of the skin. The inulin content makes the drink an indispensable drink for patients with diabetes.

The drink lowers blood pressure

How can pregnant women consume chicory?

Chicory is useful during pregnancy: it normalizes the gastrointestinal tract, reduces stress, fights nausea, helps prevent anemia and reduces swelling. But pregnant women should not abuse this drink; the high content of vitamin C can cause allergies. The optimal daily dose for pregnant women is 1-2 cups.

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Indications for use

Thus, the main indications for use include the following:

Hypertension or symptomatic arterial hypertension.
Diabetes mellitus type II.
Atherosclerosis and associated conditions (coronary heart disease, hypoxic brain damage, etc.).
Atonic constipation (lack of stool for more than 3 days).
Dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting, heartburn, bloating). Chicory is indicated for a duration of more than 2 days.
Chronic inflammatory lesions of the joints (rheumatoid arthritis).
Edema syndrome of any origin, with the exception of renal.
Decreased immunity. Recommended for frequent acute respiratory viral infections, sore throats, stomatitis (more than 1-2 times a year).

Other properties can be found in this photo:

Expert commentaryKardash Anton Borisovich

Therapist, cardiologist. Doctor of the highest category.

You should not take chicory as the only drug to treat any disease. Most of the supposed effects have not been proven by science. It is recommended to combine the plant with other medicinal products.

How to take chicory for weight loss?

Chicory helps you maintain a low-calorie diet. It dulls the feeling of hunger, gives a feeling of fullness, and also improves the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates and reduces cholesterol levels.

When losing weight, it is better to drink a chicory drink without sugar; if necessary, Roskachestvo experts advise adding a natural sweetener: stevia.

You should also not add milk or cream to chicory. Firstly, they increase the calorie content of the drink, and secondly, chicory in combination with cow's milk can cause stomach or intestinal upsets. You can replace cow's milk with vegetable milk.

What causes the properties of chicory to have a positive effect on the body?

Even after all stages of preparation: washing, drying, frying, chicory has a unique, rich composition:

Vitamins A, C, E, K.
B vitamins.
A nicotinic acid.
Binders (tannins).
Ethers.
Protein of plant origin.
Inulin.
Organic acids.

Microelements of chicory:

—

Important elements for maintaining the performance of the heart muscle are potassium and magnesium.

- Gives strength to bone tissue - phosphorus and calcium.

- Enriches the composition of the blood and prevents the development of anemia - iron.

- Positively affects brain activity, restores damaged tissues, improves the appearance of the skin, gives elasticity - zinc.

— Sodium controls water balance and normalizes kidney function.

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— Manganese will help to gently remove toxic compounds and toxins, as well as absorb beneficial nutrients.

— Copper will provide good support for liver function.

— An element that promotes the production of collagen, carefully cares for the condition of the skin, and imparts turgor — selenium.

How much chicory can you drink per day?

Adults without contraindications can consume up to 60 g of chicory per day. This is from three to five cups of drink, depending on the brewing strength.

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But it is optimal to limit yourself to two cups of chicory per day, say Roskachestvo experts.

It is not recommended to exceed a daily dose of 50 g of chicory per day for patients with cholelithiasis, urolithiasis, or vascular diseases, including varicose veins.

People with individual food intolerance should completely avoid drinking this drink. Allergy sufferers and people with stomach ulcers and gastritis should treat chicory with caution. Patients with chronic diseases should consult a doctor before consuming chicory.

Why can blood pressure decrease when taking chicory?

Since hypertensive crises, as well as systematic increases in blood pressure, can occur for various reasons, different drugs are used for drug treatment. In some cases, this plant has effects similar to them.

If the pressure rises due to the fact that a person reacts sharply to external stimuli, it means that he needs to calm the nervous system.
Renal pressure, which is almost impossible to reduce with pills, will drop when the amount of fluid in the body decreases and inflammatory processes in the kidneys are relieved.
Heart disease and vasoconstriction also contribute to increased blood pressure. When fighting this disease, it is necessary to relieve the symptoms of arrhythmia and improve oxygen supply to the brain.
Spinal injuries can also lead to chronic hypertension. In the fight against an illness caused by an injury, spinal pain relief and stress relief will be required.

Hypertensive patients often ask whether it is possible to drink chicory with high blood pressure. Doctors answer them in the affirmative, if there are no other contraindications for taking this drink . Whether it is a brewed or instant drink does not really matter.

Sometimes the doctor is not immediately able to determine the nature of the disease. And before he selects the necessary remedy, the patient has to undergo a series of examinations. The most difficult cases are those in which several factors contribute to an increase in pressure.

Is it possible to drink chicory if you have varicose veins?

You can cope with the disease through drug treatment, and chicory will help enhance the effect of the latter.

Which chicory to buy in the store?

In the store you can find several types of chicory: roasted ground, liquid extract, granular soluble. You can purchase any of them if it meets the following conditions, as noted by Roskachestvo:

Does not contain artificial additives, contains only chicory. Natural additives are possible: rose hips, ginger, ginseng, cinnamon, sea buckthorn, etc.
No artificial flavors,
Has sealed packaging.
If it has the consistency of powder, then it is dry and without lumps.

What is chicory

This flower from the fire family is a sensitive one called roadside and blue medicinal dandelion. It has a rigid staircase covered with blue and pink flowers. It grows everywhere except high and rocky places.

There are several varieties of this plant, some flowers grow individually, others create inflorescences consisting of 2-3 flowers with a diameter of 3-4 cm. The shape of the petals is Chinese.

Only two types of it are used for preparing dishes - general and salad. Regular Chicory root has greater nutritional value and is better enriched with vitamins and minerals. Grew up to prepare a toning drink. The leaves, as the name suggests, are used as a spicy addition to salads and garnishes.

The main component of the dried, roasted and ground root of this plant is Inulin. Regular use with this:

It works as a whole to the body, increases resistance.
Prevents the development of pathogenic bacteria.
Improves metabolic processes.
Low glucose levels.
It has a cooling effect.
Supports kidney and pancreas function.
Shows anti-inflammatory effect.
Accelerates wound healing.
This reduces the risk of malignant and lung tumors.
Feel the nervous system.
It improves vitality.

Although this instant drink works a bit like coffee beans, it is caffeine-free. This is its main advantage, and moderate intake will not lead to hyperactivity and nervous breakdown.

Since we have already learned the properties of chicory, we will tell you how it affects blood pressure and what is known.