Emma Miller
Chicory can have health benefits and can help control blood sugar levels. Chicory coffee is made from roasted, ground chicory root. It has a coffee flavor but does not contain caffeine. Although it may have some side effects, research also shows that it may have potential health benefits.
Chicory coffee is gaining popularity as a decaf coffee substitute because of its similar flavor. Chicory may have health benefits and can help control blood sugar and improve digestive health. Although evidence suggests that most people tolerate it well, some reports suggest that it can cause side effects such as severe allergic reactions in some cases.
In this article, we will discuss the possible health benefits and side effects of chicory coffee, as well as how to drink it.
Chicory coffee definition
Chicory and coffee come from two different plants. Chicory coffee is derived from Cichorium intybus, a herb that grows in the ground. While people can use the leaves of the plant for salads, they can also use the root to make chicory coffee.
Coffee is derived from the fruit of a plant called Coffea arabica. Because the fruits of coffee trees are the size of cherries, people call them coffee beans.
Manufacturers grind and roast chicory root and either package it separately or add it to regular coffee to give it an extra flavor. Since chicory root tastes similar to coffee, some people use it as a coffee substitute.
Both chicory root and coffee contain compounds that, according to research, may be beneficial to health. However, coffee also contains caffeine, which is not present in chicory roots. Some people may want to limit or eliminate caffeine from their diet, which may make chicory coffee a suitable alternative.
Feydeyên gengaz
A study conducted in 2015 noted that chicory root is a rich source of dietary fiber called inulin. Most of the research on the health benefits of chicory root has focused on this fiber. In a 4-week clinical study involving 47 healthy adult participants, researchers showed that the potential health benefits of inulin may include:
Blood sugar levels: The HbA1c test is a measurement of a person’s blood glucose levels. It measures the amount of blood sugar bound to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying part of red blood cells. The study shows that chicory root improves HbA1c by suppressing the rise in blood sugar after a meal.
Cholesterol: Previous studies have shown that chicory root can help improve cholesterol, but researchers in a 2015 study did not observe this effect, possibly due to the shorter duration of the study. However, chicory root seems to increase the amount of adiponectin, a hormone that helps protect against fat buildup in the walls of the arteries.
Body fat: In this study, chicory root did not have a significant effect on body weight or body fat. However, the percentage of body fat increased slightly in the placebo group.
Intestinal function: Chicory root may help improve fecal properties and bowel movements in some people.
The authors concluded that chicory root may be helpful in lowering high blood sugar and improving bowel movements.
A 2020 review noted that chicory root, in addition to inulin, also contains calcium, magnesium, and many plant chemicals such as phenolic acids. Evidence suggests that phenolic acids have antioxidant properties and may help protect against heart disease, diabetes, and inflammation.
A previous “reliable source” study also noted that chicory root may show some promise for reducing pain and stiffness in people with osteoarthritis. However, further research is needed.
Bandora alî
Although there are not many studies evaluating the safety of chicory root alone, evidence suggests that some of the substances present in chicory root may be harmful. For example, a 2018 study by a reliable source found that chicory root may contain some toxic substances in addition to antioxidants. However, other studies show that most people tolerate chicory roots well.
An earlier study, which is trusted, showed that while many people do not have negative reactions, some may experience side effects. For example, chicory can cause allergic reactions in some people. A 2020 study states that a person with allergies or eczema should be careful about consuming chicory root or coming into contact with it.
In addition, there are reports that some people have experienced anaphylaxis after taking inulin, which is part of the chicory root. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that can lead to
- hives
- swelling of the throat
- dijwarîya bêhnvedanê
- tengasiya sîngê
- neheqî
A study conducted in 2017 also noted that more research is needed to study the safety of chicory root in pregnant women.
Should people try it?
Many studies show that chicory coffee may have a number of health benefits, and most research suggests that people tolerate it well. Because of its similarity in flavor to coffee and the fact that it is decaffeinated, it may be a suitable alternative for people who are sensitive to caffeine or who want to reduce their caffeine intake.
However, more research is needed to prove its safety. People should consider talking to their doctor before using herbal products, especially if they have allergies or are pregnant.
