2023-06-22 08:23:50
In this article we present chicory as a medicinal plant. It is a perennial herb whose flowers and roots are used medicinally and in cooking. Here you can find out what health benefits the plant has and how to make coffee from it.
Chicory: A perennial plant whose flowers and roots are used medicinally and in cooking
Chicory as a medicinal plant: 15 health benefits
1. Anti-Inflammatory – Inulin and plant polyphenols help improve the function of the gut microbiota. The bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids that help reduce inflammation. 2. Diuretic Effect – Chicory has a bitter taste and promotes the drainage of bile. Completing a meal with a small cup of chicory has a positive effect on the activity of the gallbladder. 3. Hypoglycemic Effect – Chicory helps lower blood sugar levels due to its high inulin content. 4. Lowering the glycemic index of foods – chicory decreases the absorption of glucose in the gut. When consuming foods containing glucose, it makes sense to combine them with chicory root extract to reduce glucose uptake and thus the insulin response.
Chicory as a medicinal plant: Due to its high inulin content, chicory helps to lower blood sugar levels
5. Anti-hypertensive effect – chicory root drink contains magnesium, which helps relax muscles and reduce vascular tone, thus helping with high blood pressure. 6. Anti-stress effect – chicory root is very rich in B vitamins and magnesium, which have a positive effect on the human nervous system. 7. Lowering Cholesterol Levels – Chicory has a choleretic effect: it removes cholesterol from bile and increases HDL (high density lipoproteins, which are considered “good” because they scavenge and transport cholesterol from tissues to the liver, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease is reduced). 8. Prevention of Bone Disease – Chicory has the ability to improve the absorption of calcium and magnesium, thus contributing to musculoskeletal health.
Chicory is very rich in B vitamins and magnesium, which have a positive effect on the human nervous system
9. Improved Digestion – Chicory is rich in inulin, which helps nourish beneficial gut microflora and stimulates the digestive process. 10. Anti-tumor effect – thanks to its high antioxidant content, chicory can be considered a free radical fighter. 11. Detoxifying effect – Chicory supports the function of the gallbladder and thus has a direct influence on detoxification (natural purification effect). 12. Supports heart health – thanks to its high potassium and magnesium content, chicory can stabilize the heart and heart rhythm.
Thanks to its high potassium and magnesium content, chicory can stabilize the heart and heart rhythm
13. Weight regulation – Chicory supports the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn has a positive effect on metabolism and promotes weight loss. 14. Immunomodulatory effect – Thanks to its vitamin C content, chicory helps maintain a strong immune system and, thanks to its prebiotic properties, supports the intestinal microbiome – the immune organ. 15. Antiparasitic – By promoting the flow of bile, which acts as a natural colon cleanser, chicory can help fight parasites.
Chicory supports the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, which in turn has a positive effect on the metabolism
Chicory as an alternative to coffee. How to properly prepare and consume it?
Coffee is the favorite drink of many people. Made from roast and ground coffee beans, it has a rich flavor and aroma, and is wonderfully invigorating because it’s high in caffeine – a central nervous system stimulant. For this reason, coffee is drunk in the morning to wake up quickly.
The positive effects of caffeine:
improve concentration and reaction speed; increasing the speed of basal metabolism; stimulation of cardiac activity; decrease in appetite.
Sometimes caffeine consumers drink 3-5 cups a day, which is not recommended because caffeine in high doses can be noticeably harmful to the body:
It increases blood pressure and can trigger hypertensive crisis; is diuretic and can lead to dehydration; quickly addictive and requires higher and higher doses to achieve a lasting refreshing effect; can cause adrenal fatigue syndrome as it affects the production of cortisol; disrupts sleep and heart rhythm; stresses the liver.
Caffeine in high doses can be noticeably harmful to the body
Chicory root drink is an excellent coffee substitute for those looking to reduce their caffeine intake. Chicory does not contain caffeine, but is very similar to coffee in taste and appearance.
The preparation is very simple: a teaspoon of chicory is diluted with water. Chicory can be drunk alone or other drinks, such. B. cocoa, are added.
A teaspoon of chicory is diluted with water
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