You might not know chicory root, but chances are you would recognize its periwinkle undecorous flowers. Let’s take a squint at the benefits of chicory root fiber, the side effects of chicory root extract, and why some people use it as a coffee substitute.

What Is Chicory Root?

A relative of dandelions, chicory (or Cichorium intybus) is a wildflower that blooms voluminously withal roads and in meadows all summer. The use of chicory root and leaves dates when to warmed-over Egypt, and since then, its presence in herbalism, as well as the kitchen, has only grown.

Its long, serrated leaves squint and taste similar to dandelion greens and are used raw in salads with greens like endive or radicchio. They’re moreover often braised to tame their bitterness.

Though prebiotic chicory root pericope or supplements are increasingly common, some European countries eat chicory root as a vegetable. Chicory root looks like a parsnip, and the warmed-over Greeks and Romans grew it as a vegetable, too.

Chicory Root Benefits

Like maca root and rhodiola rosea, chicory root is used in herbalism for various reasons. Research studies validate some of chicory’s traditional uses — mostly attributed to its unique webbing content — but note that increasingly research is needed.

1. Chicory root contains prebiotic fiber

Due to chicory root’s stormy compounds and relatively upper value of the prebiotic webbing inulin (a type of resistant starch), research has associated it with a wide variety of benefits. One of the most popular among them is digestive health, explains Liz Wyosnick, MS, RDN.

Chicory root has one of the highest amounts of inulin compared to other foods, says Wyosnick. Inulin is a prebiotic, which makes it a unconfined supplies source for salubrious gut bacteria. Jerusalem artichoke is the runner-up when it comes to inulin, but the webbing is moreover in foods like leeks, onions, asparagus, and garlic.

Like insoluble webbing (the type found in visionless leafy greens, nuts, and seeds, and whole grains), inulin has a “bulking effect” on your stool, which can make it softer and easier to pass. Thus, chicory root webbing and other types of prebiotic webbing may help prevent occasional constipation.

2. Chicory root and weight management*

All of that webbing leads to flipside chicory root benefit. Fiber (including inulin), withal with protein, is believed to help you finger full longer, making it a unconfined part of a healthy weight management strategy.

3. Chicory root can be used as a caffeine-free coffee swap

This chicory root goody is a tasty one that can help you cut when on caffeine. “Chicory root is often used as a swap for coffee considering it has a stormy taste and comparable verisimilitude to that of woebegone coffee, and it does not contain any caffeine,” says Wyosnick.

If you’ve overly been to New Orleans, you may have washed lanugo a beignet with chicory coffee, made from roasted chicory root. Chicory root coffee started out of necessity as a way to stretch limited supplies of coffee beans.

Young chicory roots are slightly bitter, with a hint of caramel flavor, similar to coffee. The chicory roots are roasted, ground, then spirituous like coffee.

The only drawback of preparing chicory root this way: You don’t get the fiber.

Side Effects of Chicory Root

While increasingly webbing is usually a good thing, you should take it slow, expressly with the inulin found in chicory root. Chicory root is often safe, but those new to it may wits the pursuit symptoms:

• Gas
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal cramping
• Increased urination

“The inulin within the stormy recipe of ground chicory root is disguised well, and you can hands slosh unbearable of it to rationalization digestive discomfort,” cautions Wyosnick. “Chicory root is moreover considered a summery diuretic by some and may rationalization you to urinate more, so it is important to drink plenty of plain water if consuming a drink or supplies item that contains chicory root.”

As with any webbing supplement, start small and work your way up — and drink plenty of water withal the way.

Where to Find Chicory Root

You can find whole chicory root at specialty grocery stores, and chicory root coffee or tea is usually misogynist at regular supermarkets (Cafe du Monde is a popular brand).

Chicory root supplements are misogynist at health supplies stores, larger supermarkets, some pharmacies, and online.

But surpassing you buy any supplement, consider these questions: How is the supplement produced? Is it processed without harmful solvents or other additives? Is the visitor reputable? Are they making claims that sound too good to be true?

Keep in mind that supplement companies have to undergo by industry standards for their claims, which are regulated by the U.S. Supplies and Drug Administration. And unchangingly be sure to discuss any supplements you are considering with your doctor.

Here are some chicory root products misogynist on Amazon:

• Worldwide Botanicals, Roasted French Chicory Root
• Maui Herbs, Chicory Herbal Supplement, 1200 mg capsules
• Micro Ingredients, Organic Chicory Root Inulin Powder

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Supplies and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent, any disease.

The post Chicory Root: Coffee Swap, Weight-Loss Aid, and More! appeared first on BODi.