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Chicory coffee is the latest buzzword in the world of health and fitness, and for good reason. Although it has been around for centuries, its benefits are being talked about now. Here’s the thing: it does have ‘coffee’ in its name but it’s made of roasted chicory, instead of coffee beans. It’s particularly helpful for those who are trying to reduce their intake of caffeine. At the same time, it is said to provide several other health benefits, including decreased blood sugar levels and improved digestive health. But it could also cause side effects in some people.
Here’s all that you need to know.
What is chicory coffee?
It is a hot beverage that is made using the roots of the chicory plant. It is then roasted, ground, and brewed, just like coffee. A part of the dandelion family, chicory has a tough, hairy stem and leaves that find a place in salads. When it comes to taste, it has similarities with coffee, although it’s nuttier in flavour. You could have it just like that, or mix it with coffee if you don’t want to give up on caffeine.
Chicory root is a powerhouse of nutrients
To make this, chicory root is minced, roasted, and then brewed into coffee. It is recommended to use about two tablespoons of ground chicory root for every one cup of water.
One raw chicory root (60 grams) contains the following nutrients
- Calories: 44
- Protein: 0.8 grams
- Carbs: 10.5 grams
- Fat: 0.1 grams
- Fiber: 0.9 grams
- Manganese: 7% of the RDI
- Vitamin B6: 7% of the RDI
- Potassium: 5% of the RDI
- Vitamin C: 5% of the RDI
- Phosphorus: 4% of the RDI
- Folate: 3% of the RDI
What are some benefits of chicory coffee?
1. It may help with digestive health
It is a good source of fibre, and that’s exactly why it can help your digestive health. It is believed to help improve the health of the gut microbiome, because of the presence of inulin fibre, a prebiotic that promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Moreover, chicory can help improve bowel function and reduce constipation.
2. It may help to lower blood sugar
Once again, inulin in chicory is said to improve blood sugar levels in both humans and animals. A recent study treated diabetic rats with chicory inulin for eight weeks, and it was found that it helped to control blood sugar by improving the way that carbohydrates were metabolized. In another study, supplementing with 10 grams of inulin daily showed an improvement in fasting blood sugar levels by nearly 8.5% among 49 women with diabetes.
3. It may help decrease inflammation
Most of us know that chronic inflammation is the cause of conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer. Some studies have found that chicory root may possess anti-inflammatory properties. But most of the studies today have been performed on animals, instead of humans.
It can also have some side effects
Although chicory has several health benefits, it is not for everyone. It is likely to trigger a reaction in certain people and could cause swelling, pain, and a tingling sensation in the mouth. If you experience any negative symptoms after consuming chicory coffee, discontinue it right away. Also, it’s a complete no-no for pregnant women, because it is believed to cause miscarriage and menstrual bleeding.
