It’s a lovely day for exploring the health benefits of chicory.
Chicory is grown for its salad leaves, chicons, and roots, which are cooked, crushed and used as a coffee alternative and food additive.
Blue daisy, blue dandelion, blue sailors, blue weed, bunk, coffeeweed, cornflower, hendibeh, horseweed, ragged sailors, succory, wild bachelor’s buttons, and wild endiv are all names for common chicory.
Here is a list of the health benefits of chicory.
1. Chicory Is Packed With Nutrients
Chicory contains sugars, dietary fiber, fat, and protein.
It’s also rich in vitamins, especially vitamin K. Other vitamins you can get from this herb are vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B9, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin K.
You can also get different minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc.
2. May Help With Relieving Arthritis
Chicory has been utilized as a natural arthritis treatment.
It has powerful anti-inflammatory qualities, which is why it is frequently used as a pain reliever for arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Certain people were offered chicory therapy for pain in one of the tests.
It was observed that those people experienced significant pain reduction from arthritis.
Chicory also offers other benefits, including its usage as an anti-inflammatory drug for common muscle and joint discomfort.
3. Chicory May Help With Digestion
Chicory is added to the daily diet since it enhances the digestive system’s varied functions.
Chicory is high in inulin, a potent prebiotic. A prebiotic is a type of plant fiber that feeds beneficial microorganisms in the intestine.
Inulin can be used to treat a variety of digestive and intestinal issues.
Because inulin tends to actively lower the acidity level of the body’s numerous systems, it is recognized to help with acid reflux and indigestion.
Consuming chicory can also help relieve constipation.
Many culinary herbs and spices are good for digestion. One of them is chervil.
You can read more about the health benefits of chervil here.
4. May Help Boost Your Immune System
Chicory’s antibacterial capabilities aid to improve the immune system by affecting the many bacterial strains that can harm the body.
Chicory also includes phytochemicals, which can aid in the removal of free radicals in the body.
As a result, there would be lower risks of getting diseases such as cancer or heart issues.
5. Chicory May Help Reduce Anxiety And Stress
Chicory’s calming qualities have been shown to alleviate anxiety and promote mental serenity, resulting in lower stress levels in the body.
Because of its calming properties, chicory root extract is also one of the greatest medicines for sleep disorders. It is said to be a healthier alternative to synthetic sleeping medications.
6. May Help Detoxify Your Body
Chicory root extract is frequently used as a diuretic to increase urine flow.
When urine frequency is consistent and healthy, toxins that the body tends to retain in the liver and kidneys will be excreted.
7. Chicory May Help Improve Heart Health
Chicory’s inulin is not only good for the digestive system; it also helps to lower bad cholesterol, which is damaging to the body.
Atherosclerosis and high blood pressure are known to be caused by high amounts of harmful cholesterol.
When this bad cholesterol attaches to the arteries and veins, it prevents blood from flowing freely.
LDL cholesterol levels that are too high can raise the risk of a stroke or heart attack.
Plant phenols, which are antithrombotic and antiarrhythmic compounds, are abundant in chicory.
According to studies, drinking chicory coffee instead of ordinary coffee results in a considerable improvement in the body’s plasma and blood levels, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.
8. May Help Protect The Skin
A study was conducted to determine the therapeutic efficacy of chicory root extract’s skin barrier function in cosmetic formulations with and without UV filters.
For this study, fifty women between the ages of 45 and 60 were divided into two groups.
In the research, chicory root extract was found to have both protective and remodeling effects on the skin, making it a unique component for improving skin barrier function.
You can read more about the research in this (Cichorium Intybus Root Extract: A Vitamin D-Like Active Ingredient To Improve Skin Barrier Function) publication.
9. Chicory May Promote Good Liver Health
One study looked at the efficacy of chicory root extract to protect the liver from toxicity and chemically produced free radicals.
Chicory extract has been demonstrated to contain natural antioxidants. It was also discovered that the extract may search for reactive free radicals.
It is recognized for boosting the body’s defense system as well as liver detoxification due to these qualities.
Chicory has been utilized as a medicinal herb since ancient times, with Egyptians using it to purify the blood and liver.
10. May Help Improve Eye Health
Vitamin A is abundant in chicory.
It can be used as a supplement to preserve the health and operation of your eyes and muscular system.
11. Chicory Helps Promote Weight Loss
Inulin is a natural dietary fiber in and of itself that’s found in chicory.
It is beneficial to individuals who want to maintain a healthy weight.
Chicory also contains oligofructose.
Oligofructose and inulin help to regulate the hormone ghrelin.
Ghrelin is an amino acid peptide hormone connected with emotions of hunger and other sorts of food-seeking behavior.
Chicory would aid in the elimination of hunger and overeating issues.
It also enhances satiety or the sensation of being full.
Overall, ingesting chicory would be an efficient strategy to lose weight healthily.
12. May Help Manage Blood Sugar Management
Chicory root contains inulin and other substances that may assist persons with diabetes control their blood sugar levels.
In a two-month study of 49 women with type 2 diabetes, researchers discovered that eating 10 grams of inulin each day reduced blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1c, a measure of average blood sugar, significantly more than taking a placebo.
More of this study can be read here (Effects Of High-Performance Inulin Supplementation On Glycemic Control And Antioxidant Status In Women With Type 2 Diabetes).
Conclusion
These are just some of the health benefits of chicory.
I especially like that it can help me with my arthritis condition. It has both anti-inflammatory and pain-killing effects.
What’s your favorite chicory health benefit on the list?
If you’re thinking about consuming chicory for its health benefits, please make sure to talk about it with your doctor first.
Here’s where you can learn more about the health advantages of other culinary herbs and spices.
Thank you for reading, and stay safe!