Our country learned about chicory as a food product not so long ago - in Soviet times, when it became popular as a drink. But not everyone knows about the beneficial properties of chicory - now we will fill this information gap.
Chicory is a plant of the Asteraceae family, the leaves of which are used in the preparation of salads and vegetable borscht. It is also an ingredient in tea and coffee. Many manufacturers of the latter use it as an additive that gives the drink a piquant and velvety flavor.
The first acquaintance with the product took place in the Mediterranean, from where it was delivered to Africa, America and Eurasia. Then they began to grow this flower there themselves.
According to the general classification, chicory is of two types - salad and ordinary, but there are also those that are used as drinks, which is of interest to most consumers:
- By evaporating substances from the root, concentrated liquid chicory is obtained. This is a first-class composition, considered to be of the highest quality and useful. When purchasing a similar product in a store, you can read on the packaging the inscription “natural chicory extract.”
- The soluble product is also obtained by evaporation and then drying to a powder state. If the manufacturer uses gentle high-tech methods for this, then all the benefits of chicory for humans are preserved.
- By roasting and grinding, a roasted and ground composition suitable for consumption is produced, respectively. But in terms of quality, such a product is considered the lowest, although it also has a certain amount of useful elements.
If we talk about the calorie content of chicory, then in an instant drink it is about 11 Kcal per 100 g, in concentrate this figure is higher.
Now about the composition - there is practically no fat in the processed root, proteins are 0.1 g, and carbohydrates are 2.8. This suggests that the product can be considered dietary. At the same time, it contains vitamins - group B, E and C, plus pectins with minerals and inulin, which is useful for people with diabetes.
What is chicory
Natural remedies, as a rule, bring benefits to a person and do not cause harm, so they are widely used in folk medicine and in programs by those who want to lose weight. Chicory is a plant with soft blue flowers, but the roots, not them, are used for cooking. They are used in homeopathy and traditional medicine. After special treatment, the roots are used not only for weight loss, but also for:
- treatment of the central nervous system;
- liver therapy;
- kidney treatment;
- need to replace coffee;
- need to get a boost of energy in the morning.
What is the drink made from?
This tall-stemmed grass was encountered by everyone in fields or vacant lots in the city. If you are wondering what chicory drink is made from, you just need to go out into any clearing and you will find this flower. In the first year of a plant’s life, the leaves intensively produce nutrients that are stored in the roots. Outwardly, they are thick, like carrots. In the second year, thanks to these reserves, long stems sprout, on which flowers bloom and fruits ripen.
People who grow this plant do not wait for flowering. To prepare, root vegetables are dug up in the fall, washed, dried, fried and crushed. The root vegetable turns into a powder that is easy to dissolve in water, it gives it a chocolate-coffee hue. In some cases, the raw material is a liquid with a viscous consistency. All the health benefits of chicory are preserved during weight loss; it is used in folk medicine in different countries. This product is perfect for pregnant women and diabetics.
Calorie content
When a girl or guy goes on a diet, the first thing they should do is count calories. The less of them you receive, the faster the weight loss process will begin. One of the advantages is the calorie content of chicory, it is very low and fits perfectly into any program for getting rid of extra pounds. 100 g of product contains only 72 kcal, it is used in small quantities (1-2 tsp) and its presence in the diet is almost invisible.
This is a great option for those who find it difficult to give up coffee, which is prohibited in many diet plans. 100 g of product contains the following amount of substances:
- water – 80 g;
- proteins – 1.4 g;
- fats – 0.2 g;
- carbohydrates – 16 g;
- ash – 0.9 g;
- fiber – 1.5 g.
Botanical description
Content:
- Botanical description
- Chemical composition
- Beneficial features
- Contraindications
- On guard of a beautiful figure
- Folk recipes
- How to prepare
- Conclusion
The plant has a tap root that penetrates deeply into the soil. The leaves are oblong, tapered or rounded at the ends with a clearly defined vein. A rigid vertical stem is formed in the second year of life. The flowers are concentrated in baskets, blue (rarely pinkish or white). They are located on a short individual stalk. The flowers are bisexual, large, ligulate, and open sequentially upward. The fruit consists of short scales, pentagonal with a tuft.
The benefits of chicory for weight loss
The unique composition of this substance makes it a useful, effective component that is used in weight loss diets. It contains no sugar, only related components and vitamins are present, which do not cause such harm. For this reason, it is given to people who suffer from diabetes and need to monitor their blood sugar levels. All the benefits of chicory for weight loss lie in the components it contains; they provide the following benefits to the body:
- Contains inulin and pectin, which prevent the absorption of carbohydrates by the intestines. They also reduce cravings for sweets and do not disrupt the natural processes in the body.
- With regular use, metabolism and intestinal microflora will begin to normalize. Both of these points are directly related to the speed of losing weight and burning excess fat deposits. All calories that enter the body will be immediately used for energy production and will not accumulate.
- When losing weight, chicory is an excellent preventative against constipation and dysbacteriosis, which often accompany overweight people.
- The product contains a lot of fiber, which quickly brings a feeling of fullness and maintains it for several hours; it is recommended to drink it 20 minutes before meals. This will be a kind of signal to the organum that the meal is completed.
- It has a strong diuretic and choleretic effect, so you should not drink a lot of it, as this can lead to dehydration. It is not recommended to drink more than 4 cups per day.
Content of vitamins and microelements
Chicory is rich in vitamins, including the following:
• Vitamin A. Has a beneficial effect on intestinal function, digestion and respiration. Promotes iron absorption. Improves hemoglobin production. Neutralizes toxins and acts as an antioxidant.
• Vitamin E. Reduces the rate of aging. Reduces fatigue and normalizes blood pressure. Supports anti-cancer immunity. Improves the absorption of vitamin A.
• Choline. Required for productive brain function. Prevents the occurrence of diabetes and atherosclerosis.
• Vitamin C. Stimulates mental activity and increases the rate of wound healing. Has a beneficial effect on mucous membranes, skin and blood vessels. Increases the body's ability to resist infections.
• Vitamin PP. Has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system. Strengthens bone and cartilage tissue. Prevents the occurrence of diabetes.
• Vitamin B1. Strengthens antiviral immunity, promotes the removal of toxins. Stimulates liver cleansing processes. Improves brain activity, in particular the ability to concentrate and memory.
• Vitamin B2. Prevents vision deterioration. Necessary for the production of red blood cells, strengthens the heart and blood vessels. Has a beneficial effect on muscles during physical activity.
• Vitamin B5. Stimulates tissue regeneration. Improves the activity of the brain, joints and muscles, cardiovascular system and digestive organs. Prevents obesity.
• Vitamin B6. Prevents atherosclerosis, normalizes blood pressure, reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Tones and improves the body's immune defense.
• Vitamin B9. Important for the growth and development of the body, metabolism, the process of hematopoiesis and the removal of toxins. Stimulates the production of gastric juice. Helps the body cope with stress and fatigue.
• Vitamin K. Positively affects blood clotting, preventing bleeding. Normalizes metabolism, helps cleanse the body of toxic substances and toxins.
In addition, chicory contains minerals necessary for the human body. Among them: potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, selenium, copper, manganese and iron.
How to drink
A person who wants to lose weight knows that he will have to give up all foods containing large amounts of carbohydrates, fats, alcohol, and sometimes coffee. If you are used to starting your morning with this aromatic drink, but your diet prohibits it, then you should know how to drink chicory. The product has a specific taste, so you won’t be able to switch to it immediately when losing weight; you need to get used to it.
Try first stirring half and half with coffee in a bowl; over time, the dose of the second can be increased. In the end, you will completely give up caffeine and start the weight loss process. If you can’t get used to it, you can cook this product together with ginger, cinnamon, milk or honey. They will add a pleasant taste to the drink and make it richer.
With milk
This is an excellent combination for those people whose bodies are weakened after illness. Chicory with milk gives a feeling of fullness, cleanses the body, and delivers catalysts that stimulate the acceleration of metabolism. The only disadvantage of this compound is that pregnant women may develop allergies. At the moment, there are no clinical studies, so it is impossible to evaluate the effect of a drink with milk on the fetus. For everyone else, the drink does no harm and helps you stick to your chosen diet when losing weight. Calorie content - only 19 kcal per 100 g.
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With honey
The combination of these two ingredients is very beneficial for people who suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension). Chicory with honey softens the throat and does not cause a strong cough when consumed; it is good for inflammatory diseases, when you need to saturate the body and get a boost of energy. When losing weight, the drink should be drunk in the morning on an empty stomach. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to one cup of brewed drink. Drink when the drink is warm, not hot.
Cinnamon
This is another possible combination to get a tasty, healthy drink. Chicory with cinnamon will invigorate you in the morning, even better than coffee. It is suitable for people with diabetes and hypertension; this drink was first prepared in Russia. It can be safely used for weight loss because the calorie content is very low, and cinnamon is often used during a diet. To create the treat you will need:
- ground chicory root – 1 tsp;
- water – 1 glass;
- cinnamon – 1 stick;
- sugar, honey - to taste.
It is recommended to consume this tasty treat warm rather than hot; it is prepared according to the following instructions:
- Place a cinnamon stick in a glass.
- Strain the crushed cinnamon root through a strainer.
- Next you need to boil water, add the root.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook until the water begins to boil and foam.
- Strain the hot drink again and pour the liquid over the cinnamon stick.
- Reduce heat to low and brew until the drink begins to foam and boil away.
With ginger
If you constantly overeat starchy and sweet foods, it becomes more difficult to get rid of fat accumulations. Chicory with ginger helps speed up metabolism, increase immunity, and cleanse the body. Some people don't like the taste of the drink, you can add cloves along with ginger. When losing weight, a treat is prepared from:
- water – 300 g;
- cloves - on the tip of a knife;
- fresh ginger - a piece;
- instant chicory - 2 tsp.
The method for preparing a drink for weight loss is as follows:
- Place a spoonful of instant chicory into the container.
- Cut the ginger into small pieces.
- Add cloves next.
- Pour boiling water over all ingredients and stir.
How to choose chicory
You can often find fakes on the shelves, to which ground cereals and other impurities may be added. They do not cause harm, but the product is no longer natural; you should choose chicory in the form of powder, pieces, or liquid extract. The latter option is very convenient for storage, it is much easier to brew (it quickly dissolves in hot liquid). It is almost impossible to fake liquid chicory, so it is recommended to choose this option.
When purchasing, carefully study the packaging and product information. Do not buy if the ingredients say extract. You shouldn’t get carried away even with a high-quality product, because the body gets used to it, and the beneficial effect decreases because of this. Some ailments may be a contraindication to drinking this drink:
- haemorrhoids;
- gastrointestinal ulcer (any department);
- urolithiasis disease;
- bronchial asthma;
- varicose veins (varicose veins) and other vascular diseases;
- allergy.
Price
It is not recommended to buy the cheapest option, because there is a high risk of purchasing a fake. The price of chicory depends on the manufacturer, release form and quantity of the product in the package. You can purchase it at any grocery store or order it online. The estimated cost is as follows:
| Name | Weight, g | Price, rubles |
| Soluble with ginseng | 100 | 108 |
| Chikoroff | 110 | 220 |
| Portion soluble | 7 | 8 |
| Coffitel | 110 | 119 |
| "Cheerfulness" | 300 | 115 |
How many calories are in compote without sugar?
Compote is a healthy drink for our body. Its valuable properties depend on the ingredients it contains. This is a traditional drink that is loved in every family.
Calories in dried fruit compote without sugar
The fruits included in the dried fruit compote do not contain fats or proteins. The carbohydrates in them are plant based. Organic acids give compote a sweet and sour taste. Doctors recommend the drink to their patients as a sweet substitute. It can be used by diabetics and those who are prone to obesity. The calorie content of a mug of compote without sugar is sixty calories.
