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Chicory: These 6 Reasons Make The Vegetable So Healthy

Low in calories and high in nutrients, chicory is healthy. These ten reasons make vegetables so nutritious.

Its incomparable taste polarizes: chicory is one of the particularly spicy components in salads and is extremely healthy. While some people love chicory, others are unfamiliar with its bitter note. But bitter vegetable is full of healthy vitamins and minerals. Its bitter substances are a boon for both digestion and metabolism and also boost fat burning. And chicory can do a lot more.

Characteristics of chicory

Like endives or artichokes, chicory belongs to the daisy family. The tapering buds are around ten to twenty centimeters long and have several layers of delicate leaves with a white-yellowish to greenish color. The stalk is in the lower area.

Chicory: cultivation and storage

Chicory is in season during the cooler months of the year: it begins in autumn and ends in spring. However, it can still be grown all year round. The main importers of the bitter bud include the Netherlands, France, Belgium, and Luxembourg. But chicory is also produced in Germany. The cultivation is a special feature because the vegetables grow in boxes in the dark. The less light chicory gets, the less bitter it tastes. This also applies to the subsequent storage, which is why it is often found in closed boxes in supermarkets. At home, it should be kept in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator, where it will keep for a few days without any problems.

Nutritional table (information per 100 grams of raw chicory)

  • Calorific value: 17 kilocalories
  • Fat: 0 grams
  • Proteins: 1 gram
  • Carbohydrates: 2 grams
  • Fiber: 1.3 grams

These 6 reasons make chicory so healthy

Chicory is versatile and full of healthy ingredients. Six important benefits of the bud at a glance.

  1. Vitamin A booster: Chicory scores particularly well because of its vitamin A content. 100 grams contain around 570 micrograms of the vitamin, which plays a particularly important role in cell growth and has a positive effect on vision.
  2. Good for the immune system: Thanks to its vitamin C content, chicory supports the immune system. Especially in the cold season, it protects you from annoying colds. In addition, you can also find valuable vitamin B in the vegetables.
  3. Treatment for the intestines: chicory contains the secondary plant substance inhibin, which has a digestive effect. The bitter substances are retained even when heated. In addition, the inulin contained in the plants has a positive effect on intestinal health.
  4. Lowering cholesterol levels: Intybin also stimulates the gallbladder and pancreas. This lowers the level of LDL cholesterol.
  5. Perfect for losing weight: Chicory is not only low in calories – its bitter substances also stimulate fat burning. Thanks to the inulin content, your appetite will also be curbed. You stay full longer after eating chicory.
  6. Mineral supplier: With calcium, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus, some minerals end up on the plate with the chicory.

Study: chickory as a weapon against Alzheimer’s?

Chicory acid is found in chicory. The chemical compound is also found in many other types of plants and vegetables. Chinese researchers at Northwest A&F University in Yangling found in a study published in 2016 that the acid could slow progressive memory loss in Alzheimer’s. Tests were carried out on mice for the study. The animals that were given chicoric acid showed a slower decline in memory than their peers that were not given chicoric acid.

Chicory is an all-rounder

Chicory is not only one of the particularly low-calorie vegetables, but also brings numerous vitamins and minerals to your plate. Its bitter substances also stimulate fat burning and have a positive effect on intestinal health. The vegetables can be enjoyed both cold and warm: chicory is not only suitable as a spicy component in salads but also in casseroles, pasta sauces, filled, or simply fried as a healthy side dish.

4 more benefits of nutritious vegetables:

  1. Fresh for a long time: while other lettuce quickly wilts in the fridge, chicory stays fresh and crisp for up to a week.
  2. Can be enjoyed hot or cold: chicory is not only suitable as a salad or garnish, but also as a warm dish. Baked with spicy cheese, it tastes particularly good.
  3. Climate-friendly: Chicory from Germany or neighboring countries is available in many supermarkets – thanks to short transport routes, it has a good climate balance.​
  4. The bitter taste can be avoided: If you find chicory too bitter, it is best to buy particularly light-colored specimens without green content. In addition, the bitter taste can be reduced by removing the stalk.

So there are several reasons why healthy chicory should be on the menu more often.

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Written by Micah Stanley

Hi, I'm Micah. I am a creative Expert Freelance Dietitian Nutritionist with years of experience in counseling, recipe creation, nutrition, and content writing, product development.

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