Chicory: Composition And Medicinal Properties

2024 Author: Sebastian Paterson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-16 15:57

Read the previous part of the article: ← Chicory: history and application

To understand why chicory manifests its healing properties, scientists have conducted numerous studies of the biochemical composition of chicory root and its leaves.

Chicory root chemical composition

P / p No.	Name	Of
one.	Water	80 g
2.	Protein	1.4 g
3.	Fats	0.2 g
4.	Carbohydrates	16 g
five.	Dietary fiber (fiber)	1.5 g
6.	Ash	0.9 g
Vitamins
one.	Vitamin A (beta-carotene)	6 μg
2.	Vitamin B1 (thiamine)	0.04 mg
3.	Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)	0.03 mg
4.	Niacin (vitamin B3 or vitamin PP)	0,4 mg
five.	Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid)	0.323 mg
6.	Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)	0.241 mg
7.	Folic acid (vitamin B9)	23 μg
8.	Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)	5 mg
Macronutrients
one.	Potassium	290 mg
2.	Calcium	41 mg
3.	Magnesium	22 mg
4.	Sodium	50 mg
five.	Phosphorus	61 mg
Trace elements
one.	Iron	0.8 mg
2.	Manganese	233 μg
3.	Copper	77 mcg
4.	Selenium	0.7 μg
five.	Zinc	0.33 mg

Chicory root dry matter

No.	Name	In dry matter
one.	Inulin	Up to 61%
2.	Protein substances	4 %
3.	Sahara	fifteen%
4.	Glycoside intibin	0.1 - 0.2%
five.	Fructose	4.5 - 9.5%
6.	Levuleza	10 - 20%
7.	Pentosans	4.7 - 6.5%
8.	Pectin, fats, resins, tannins
nine.	Organic acids: ascorbic, chicory, malic, citric, tartaric	15.8%

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Why is chicory so beneficial and important for health?

The value of chicory is determined by the presence of nutrients in it. And mankind has been testing the benefits of chicory for more than 2,000 years. So the tests were carried out completely and showed the highest result!

The most valuable is chicory root. It contains many easily digestible substances that are used as a valuable food product, as well as for the prevention and treatment of many diseases. The most important substance in the composition that provides the main benefits of chicory is inulin. Its chicory root contains up to 65% dry matter. This polysaccharide is an indispensable component of dietary nutrition. It is especially useful for people with diabetes.

It must be taken into account: for treatment and prevention, it is necessary to take fresh chicory or dried (this is a powder from the root or pieces of root of a light beige, almost white color). Fried chicory (dark brown) contains almost no inulin (it is hydrolyzed to fructose), and therefore fried chicory, used as a coffee substitute, has practically no medicinal properties. And the vitamins found in chicory are denatured during frying and lose their properties.

Chicory root also contains substances such as:

• Intibin (bitter glycoside);
• Sahara;
• Organic acids;
• Choline;
• Proteins;
• Fats;
• Salt;
• Pectin;
• Essential oil;
• Vitamins.

Chicory root is rich in such important elements as:

• Bitter substances;
• Resinous substances;
• Tannins.

The chicory root contains many vitamins:

• Vitamin A;
• Vitamin B1;
• Vitamin B2;
• Vitamin B5;
• Vitamin B6;
• Vitamin B9;
• Vitamin C;
• Vitamin E.;
• Vitamin PP.

Chicory root contains a lot of essential minerals:

• Potassium;
• Calcium;
• Magnesium;
• Manganese;
• Copper;
• Sodium;
• Iron;
• Phosphorus;
• Selenium;
• Zinc.

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There are a lot of useful substances in the leaves of the plant. The same inulin. It is a natural polysaccharide, a polymer of fructose. Inulin helps the body to better absorb minerals from food, including calcium (and it is known to be the worst absorbed).

The most important property of chicory - to reduce blood sugar levels is actively used to treat diabetes. The rich composition of the green part of the plant determines its use for human food. Teas, drinks, decoctions, tinctures are prepared from chicory leaves.

The beneficial effects of chicory on the human body:

• Astringent;
• Reduces blood sugar;
• Sedative (sedative);
• Diuretic;
• Choleretic;
• Anti-inflammatory (antiseptic);
• Wound healing;
• Stimulating (work of the gastrointestinal tract);
• Immunomodulatory.

The use of chicory

How can we benefit from consuming it regularly?

Chicory root has amazing taste and medicinal properties. Consistent use in the form of raw root, dried ground root, chicory leaf tea helps to maintain a healthy, full of energy in all conditions.

The benefits of chicory are difficult to overestimate. The range of medicinal effects of chicory root is very wide.

Let's designate a wide list of those properties that chicory has with regular use:

• Reduces blood sugar
• Removes toxins from the liver;
• Stimulates liver function;
• Calms the nervous system;
• Improves heart function;
• Improves blood composition;
• Normalizes digestion;
• Strengthens the body.

The inulin found in chicory is very effective in the treatment of atherosclerosis. The hardening of arteries, known as atherosclerosis, occurs when fats, cholesterol plaques, cellular waste and other waste products begin to build up on their inner walls, blocking blood flow, making the arteries less elastic. The formation of deposits in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle leads to angina pectoris and heart attacks.

And the formation of deposits in the arteries that supply blood to the brain leads to stroke. Inulin, being an anticoagulant, prevents the formation of blood clots, it lowers the level of “harmful” cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids, which are involved in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Inulin improves the absorption of Mg, which is part of or affects the activity of over 300 enzymes that regulate the activity of the cardiovascular system and the level of blood fats. Inulin helps lower blood pressure in people with hyperlipidemia.

Chicory is used to treat many diseases and prevent various health conditions:

• Anemia;
• Arthritis;
• Insomnia;
• Spleen disease;
• Gastritis;
• Hepatitis;
• Hypertension;
• Diabetes;
• Dysbacteriosis;
• Cholelithiasis;
• Colitis;
• Neurosis;
• Nephritis;
• Prostration;
• Cholecystitis;
• Chronic constipation
• Scurvy;
• Cirrhosis;
• Cystitis;
• Enteritis.

In these cases, chicory is taken orally in the form of a tincture, decoction, drink. Chicory is very beneficial when consumed as juice from the roots and leaves. An excellent prevention of health - the regular use of powder from dried chicory root as a seasoning - to the 1st, 2nd dishes, additives to kefir, to any drink, just to water.

The health benefits of chicory are significant when applied topically. A decoction of chicory roots and its herbs in folk medicine is used to treat diseases such as:

• Acne;
• Inflammation of the lymph glands;
• Hair loss on the head;
• Purulent wounds;
• Diathesis in children (food allergy);
• Acne;
• Furunculosis;
• Eczema;
• Ulcers.

For these purposes, baths, lotions, poultices, dressings are prepared from chicory.

Thanks to a wide range of medicinal properties, chicory improves the functioning of the whole body, putting in order the heart, kidneys, liver and blood.

Chicory has a wonderful rich taste.

Chicory will be of exceptional benefit to you if you use chicory in your diet every day. Such a habit will provide you with excellent mood and excellent health. In addition, chicory will help get rid of intestinal dysbiosis and will be a preventive measure against this disease. When consumed regularly, it helps to lower blood sugar levels, establish a proper metabolism in the body, and cope with excess weight.

Chicory is used not only for food. The famous Indian toothpastes almost always contain chicory root extract. Toothpaste with chicory prevents the formation of plaque on the teeth, has anti-inflammatory properties, protects against periodontal disease.

Chicory root is often used in the production of confectionery. These sweets and cakes have an unusual taste and smell.

Contraindications and harm to chicory

Chicory practically cannot harm a person. But do not abuse it, however, like any other product.

In the case of chronic diseases, you should consult your doctor about the use of chicory. In order to prevent chicory from harming health, care must be taken with such diseases:

• Neurosis;
• Hemorrhoids;
• Gastritis;
• Phlebeurysm;
• Bronchial asthma;
• Bronchitis.

Chicory will harm a person in the event that he has an individual intolerance to this product.

Chicory can harm the health of a child's body up to 3 years old. Allergy sufferers need to be careful, since the significant content of vitamin C in chicory may not bring harm to the body, but it can cause an allergic reaction.

Baevsky Vladimir Viktorovich, Director of Sovremennik LLC

e-mail: [email protected]