The Top 5 Chicory Benefits For Your Health

Chicory root is a natural remedy for a range of health conditions. Here are the top 5 chicory benefits for your health — and how to get the most out of it.

Chicory, native to Europe, is a woody perennial herb plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. You can easily identify the plant by its pretty bright blue flowers. Its stems are stiff and can reach up to three feet tall.

Chicory roots, leaves and buds are all safe to eat. You can eat its flowers and leaves raw in salads or cook the leaves and roots to eat alongside other vegetables. Chicory root is often used as a coffee substitute and is an excellent option to help you reduce your caffeine intake. The roots are roasted and then pulverized, resulting in tasty, nutrient-dense granules you can prepare just like regular coffee.

Keep reading to discover our top 5 chicory benefits. 

1. Chicory Promotes a Healthy Gut

Chicory is an excellent source of prebiotic fiber — in fact, the dried root contains 68 percent inulin. Inulin is a soluble fiber that nourishes gut microbes by promoting the growth of healthy gut bacteria. So, chicory may be a good natural remedy if you suffer from digestive issues like acid reflux, heartburn or indigestion. One 2017 study even shows that chicory can also reduce constipation and help ease bowel movements. 

2. It Improves Heart Health

Chicory may also benefit your heart health, reducing blood pressure and lowering cholesterol levels. Inulin has been found to reduce LDL cholesterol levels, a type of cholesterol known to cause high blood pressure. The prebiotic fiber also lowers inflammation and plasma lipid levels, which in turn helps decrease cholesterol.

3. It Lowers Blood Sugar

Chicory can also help regulate blood sugar levels, particularly in people with diabetes. In 2017, the EU issued an Article 13.1 health claim linking the prebiotic fiber inulin with improved blood glucose levels. When replacing 30 percent of sugar content in your food and drink, chicory root may help regulate your blood glucose levels in the period after you eat. 

4. Chicory Benefits Weight Loss

Chicory can also assist with weight loss. Chicory root has a slightly sweet flavor and is a healthy alternative to sugar or other sweeteners. A 2015 study found that inulin can trigger and promote weight loss in pre-diabetic people who want to lose weight. Another study in 2017 found that overweight or obese children who took a dietary supplement of inulin for 16 weeks had a decreased body fat percentage at the end of the trial. In particular, they lost fat around the abdomen, a condition known to increase the risk of diabetes or heart disease. 

5. It Has Anti-inflammatory Benefits

Some people use chicory to help with symptoms of pain and inflammation. Chronic inflammation of the body is linked to health conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. Chicory contains antioxidant-rich polyphenols, which is a natural anti-inflammatory. A 2010 study by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center concluded that chicory root can reduce symptoms of osteoporosis such as pain and stiffness of the joints. 

As you can see, chicory benefits are wide-ranging — and we always seem to be discovering more! If you want to try chicory but aren’t sure where to start, consider incorporating it as an occasional coffee substitute in the afternoons if you want to reduce your caffeine intake.

Read more: 

• 7 Foods That Are Natural Probiotics
• How to Lower Your Cortisol Fast – Naturally
• 10 Healthy Ways to Increase Dopamine Naturally

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