40 percent of the coffee on the market is counterfeit. The next step is chicory: as soon as it is "promoted", counterfeits will appear, experts say

Instant chicory as an alternative to coffee today has gained fame as a fashionable and mega-healthy drink. Many of those who look after their health and care about a slim figure have amicably switched to powder from a wild plant. Is he as perfect as he is presented? And are we too hasty to abandon the good old coffee? Nutritionist Natalya KIRILLOVA will help you figure this out.

So coffee or chicory? Both have many supporters and opponents. The lack of caffeine is the main benefit of a chicory drink. But this is also its minus. It is caffeine that can wake up, increase efficiency, and concentrate attention. Chicory is rich in vitamins, and coffee activates the pleasure center, creating a feeling of happiness. And what is more valuable to us? Let's compare coffee and chicory in key positions and either reconcile the rival drinks, or finally separate them on different sides of the barricades.

Invigorates or not?

Coffee. In the first 20 minutes after a cup of aromatic drink, we feel a surge of energy. Then the excitement subsides. After five to seven mugs, a person can fall asleep - this is how the theobromine substance, which is part of coffee, acts as it accumulates.

Chicory. Thanks to vitamins of groups B, C, E, proteins, fats, tannins and salts, it also acts as a mild energetic.

Interim account: 1: 0 in favor of coffee - it helps wake up.

What is tastier?

Coffee. They say that having a taste for coffee, you have a taste for life. Tasters evaluate the quality of the drink according to special criteria. The aroma is "coffee overture". Acidity is a pleasant pungency of taste. The bouquet is a combination of aromas, flavors and aftertastes. Aftertaste - notes felt after drinking coffee. Fullness is the richness of the drink. Balance - the balance of flavoring components. Difficulty - changing taste. The more there are, the better the coffee is.

Chicory. The smell and taste of a drink made from chicory is not for everybody, and, whoever says anything, they have little resemblance to coffee.

Interim account: 2: 0 in favor of coffee - nothing can replace its aroma and flavor.

Will it help you lose weight?

Coffee. Reduces appetite, discourages cravings for fast food and sweet desserts. By stimulating metabolism, it helps burn calories. Caffeine "drives away" fat, fights against the "orange peel", relieves puffiness.

Chicory. The prebiotic inulin included in it lowers blood sugar levels and regulates metabolic processes.

Interim account: 3: 1 - Both drinks help to keep fit.

Are there any health benefits?

Coffee. Two cups a day may lower your risk of cancer. Coffee helps to prevent diabetes, asthma, liver cirrhosis, relieves migraine attacks, improves sperm quality in men.

Chicory. Inulin is sweeter than sugar, but safe for diabetes. Inulin feed on lacto- and bifidobacteria, which improve the intestinal microflora. Chicory contains B vitamins involved in metabolic processes. Does not cause addiction.

Interim account: 4: 2 - act on different spheres, but there is sense from both.

Isn't that harmful?

Coffee. Drank on an empty stomach irritates the stomach lining. Decaffeinated coffee is best not to buy: the chemicals used in the processing are dangerous. Addictive.

Chicory. It has a diuretic and choleretic effect, is contraindicated in cholelithiasis. It is not recommended to drink it after a heart attack, stroke and any operations.

Interim account: 4: 3 - one point in favor of chicory - it is safer.

What is more often counterfeited?

Coffee. According to the leading researcher of the Moscow State University of Food Production, Doctor of Technical Sciences Alexandra Kolesnova, manufacturers mix robusta - cheap raw materials with small grains - into the packaging with expensive and high-quality arabica, add ground acorns, wheat, fruit and berry flavors. And the label says: 100% Arabica.

Chicory. They fake it less, says Kolesnov, but it's a matter of time: chicory will become more popular, and they will get to it.

Interim account: 4: 4 - Another bonus to chicory - not fake.

How much is?

Coffee. From 180 to 520 rubles. for a 250-gram package of ground; about 270 rubles - for the same volume of soluble; 220 - 470 rubles. - for 250 g of grains.

Chicory. From 75 rub. for 250 g.

Final invoice: 4: 5 - the final argument: chicory is at least half the price of coffee.

Who is the winner?

In our fight with a score of 4: 5, chicory wins. However, he could not furnish coffee in terms of the most important indicators, for which we brew our favorite drink in the morning - piquant taste, delicate aroma and the ability to wake up. Therefore, we will consider the result of a combat draw and quote the words of our consultant Natalia Kirillova: each drink is good in its own way, the main thing is to know when to stop and not "sit down" on any of them.

We buy coffee ...

1. If you like instant coffee, take freeze-dried - it retains its taste and aroma better.

2. The shelf life of grain coffee is 18 months. It is better to buy a product that has passed no more than three months since its manufacture. Packaged grains release essential oils and can become toxic over time.

3. Counterfeit coffee tastes very bitter.

... or chicory

1. Label must state: 100% chicory root, not chicory extract.

2. Chicory absorbs moisture, so it can turn to stone in paper bags or plastic wrap. Metal packaging is safer.

Counterfeit check

Add some iodine to your coffee or chicory drink. If the liquid turns blue, there is starch. Here are crushed cereals with flavoring.

Digit only

* 60 beans per cup - I preferred to drink this kind of coffee Ludwig van Beethoven.

* 1200 chemical compounds contain coffee beans, of which 800 are aromatic, responsible for taste.

* Sugar-free black coffee contains just two calories and is considered one of the best diet foods.

* Two teaspoons per 100 - 120 ml of water is the norm when making coffee.

* 250 - 300 mg per day is a safe dose of caffeine. One cup of coffee (120 ml) contains 100 mg of caffeine. Instant coffee has less caffeine than ground coffee - 100 - 150 mg versus 150 - 250 mg.

* 40 percent is the volume of counterfeit coffee in Russia.

* $ 600 - costs a pound (about half a kilo) of one of the most expensive coffee in the world "Kopi Luwak". It is produced on the island of Java with the participation of the squirrel-like civet. Civets eat the fruit of the coffee tree, which is then excreted in the feces. The fruits are peeled, dried and lightly fried. Processed with enzymes of civet gastric juice, this type of coffee is famous for its delicate aroma and mild taste.

EFFECT OF CAFFEINE

Cabbage juice is a useful life-giving drink that can give our body a lot of necessary and useful substances. We will talk about what useful properties of cabbage juice exist, and how to drink it correctly, in our article. Cabbage is one of the most beneficial vegetable crops because it has very valuable properties. This product is tasty and nutritious, moreover, it is an affordable medicine that everyone can grow in their own garden. Many health problems can be eliminated by consuming cabbage. Although everyone knows that due to the fiber in cabbage, this vegetable is difficult to digest, causing gas. To avoid such problems, it is more useful to drink cabbage juice, getting the same beneficial substances contained in the vegetable.

Freshly squeezed cabbage juice contains vitamin C, which increases the body's resistance to infections. Scientists have calculated that in order to meet the daily requirement of our body for vitamin C, you can eat about 200 g of cabbage. In addition, the vegetable contains the vitamin K we need, which is responsible for the full formation of bones, as well as for blood clotting. There are B vitamins and a very rich set of minerals, including iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, potassium and other elements, in the composition of cabbage, and accordingly cabbage juice.

What is very pleasant for people who are losing weight, cabbage juice is very low in calories (25 kcal per 100 ml). This is a diet drink that will help you lose weight. Cabbage juice has wound healing and hemostatic properties. It is used as an external one, for treating burns and wounds, and for oral administration (for treating ulcers). It is effective to use fresh cabbage juice to treat gastritis and ulcers. The effect is due to the vitamin U contained in the juice. This vitamin helps in the regeneration of cells in the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. The juice is used to treat hemorrhoids, colitis and inflammation in the stomach and intestines, as well as bleeding gums.

Cabbage juice is used as an antimicrobial agent that can act on some pathogens of dangerous diseases, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Koch's bacillus and SARS. Cabbage juice is also used to treat bronchitis, in particular, it is able to thin and remove phlegm. For such treatment, it is recommended to take juice with honey to enhance the healing effect. Cabbage juice is also used to restore tooth enamel, improve the condition of nails, skin and hair. With diabetes mellitus, using cabbage juice can prevent the appearance of skin diseases.

Cabbage juice must be introduced into the diet of those who want to lose weight, due to its low calorie content and high biological activity. At the same time, cabbage juice can be saturated very quickly without getting extra calories, moreover, it prevents the conversion of carbohydrates into fat deposits. Cabbage juice is able to normalize the intestines, removing bile stagnant in the body, fights constipation and helps to remove harmful substances from the body.

Since the juice contains folic acid, which helps conception and full development of the fetus, it is useful for expectant mothers to drink it. The vitamins and minerals contained in the juice protect against infections and colds.

When using cabbage juice, you should follow the rules. The juice has contraindications and limitations. The drink is able to dissolve and decompose toxins accumulated in the body, causing strong gas formation in the intestines, so you can drink it no more than three glasses a day. It is worth starting to use, starting with one and a half glasses. For the reasons listed above, cabbage juice is not recommended in the postoperative period if the operations were carried out in the abdominal cavity, and during lactation, with gastritis with high acidity, with kidney disease and problems with the pancreas.

The world in which we live often affects the state of our nervous system, as it is full of various stressful situations, chronic fatigue and systematic stress. However, the nervous system should be constantly monitored and not overstrained. To do this, it is necessary to streamline everyday worries, for which to create and adhere to the correct daily routine, if necessary, attend a course of psychotherapy, yoga, auto-training and other events. But the easiest way to relax is a simple cup of herbal tea, aromatic and warm. Evening tea is an excellent natural calming agent that gently affects the nerves exhausted during the day. Teas, which relax the nervous system, help to level irritability, nervous exhaustion and relax before going to bed, fighting insomnia. We will talk about how tea calms the nervous system in our article.

Herbal tea

To prepare this wonderful tea, you should take in equal proportions such plants as St. John's wort, peppermint, chamomile and hawthorn flowers. Grind the ingredients, then st. l. pour the mixture into boiling water in a cup, and leave for 30 minutes, covered with a lid. Strain the cooled infusion and add a small amount of honey to it. Drink asleep. This tea will easily calm the nerves, but it is recommended to drink it for no more than two months.

Lime tea

To make tea, mix the flowers of dry linden and lemon balm in equal parts, pour the mixture with a glass of warm water, and boil for about five minutes. The broth is infused for 15 minutes, filtered, a spoonful of honey is added and taken for tea. If this tea is taken regularly, the nervous system will react more calmly to various irritants of an unpleasant nature.

Motherwort mint tea

Mix 10 g of chamomile and motherwort herb, add 20 g of chopped mint, lime blossom, lemon balm and dried strawberries. Three tablespoons of the mixture should be poured into 1 liter of boiling water and insisted for up to 12 minutes. You need to drink the infusion during the day, add a little jam or honey if desired. Such an infusion is intended not to completely suppress the nervous system, but only to gently calm it down. Such tea should be drunk for a long time, without the risk of adverse reactions that are harmful to health.

Simple teas soothing

Mix 50 g of hop cones and valerian roots, then boil a dessert spoon of the mixture with boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, filter. Drink throughout the day in small portions. It is better to drink a whole glass of this tea at night. The remedy quite quickly soothes the nerves and helps in the fight against insomnia.

In equal parts, mix the peppermint herb and valerian roots, then pour boiling water over a dessert spoon of this mixture, leave for half an hour and filter. We drink this tea in the morning and in the evening for half a glass. To enhance the effect, it is recommended to add a little anise or dill.

Melissa, valerian root and motherwort are taken in equal proportions and brewed in a cup. Then they insist and filter. You need to drink tea before meals on a dessert spoon.

Drinking half a cup of tea before meals, prepared according to the recipe below, can calm the nerves and improve digestion. To prepare it, place 1 tsp in a half-liter jar. motherwort, hop cones and green tea, pour boiling water over, leave for 12 minutes, drain. Add honey to taste.

Sophisticated soothing teas

Mix in equal proportions peppermint, oregano, St. John's wort and chamomile. Then we brew a dessert spoon of the collection in a cup, insist, filter and add honey. Drink this tea by a glass in the morning and before bedtime.

Stir in equal proportions peppermint, valerian root, hop cones, motherwort and ground rose hips. A tablespoon of the mixture should be brewed in the form of tea, infused and filtered. This sedative should be drunk throughout the day.

Soothing teas for children

To prepare baby tea soothing tea, you need to mix chamomile flowers, peppermint and fennel in equal parts. Then pour boiling water over a dessert spoon of the collection and hold on a steam bath for about 20 minutes, drain. This tea is recommended to be given to young children in the evening before going to bed on a teaspoon, as it can calm, relax, normalize the healthy alternation of sleep and wakefulness.

The teas described in our article can calm the nervous system and normalize blood pressure. Drinking tea every day helps to improve sleep and skin condition. The medicinal herbs in these teas help eliminate dark circles under the eyes, improve vision, and improve the functioning of the stomach and intestines.

Previously, people could not imagine that a person's breakfast could consist of various crispy balls with dried fruits, cereals and milk. But these days, such food does not surprise anyone, because such a breakfast is very tasty, and besides, it is easy to prepare. However, such food opens up a lot of controversy and discussion, since it is important for people to know what are the benefits and harms of cereal for human health. The very concept of dry food appeared in 1863, and was introduced by James Jackson. The first meal was compressed bran. Even though it was not very tasty, it was healthy food. The Kellogg brothers supported dry food as early as the beginning of the twentieth century. During this time, both Americans and Europeans were embraced by the idea of ​​proper and healthy eating. At that time, the brothers made breakfast cereals made from soaked corn kernels passed through rollers. These breakfasts were more like raw, torn apart, dough. They were helped by an accident in which this body was placed on a hot baking sheet and forgotten about it. Thus, the first dry breakfasts were obtained. This idea was taken up by many companies, and the flakes were mixed with nuts. Fruit and other foods.

What are the benefits of breakfast cereals?

In the last twenty years, the usual breakfast, which consisted of sandwiches and cereals, has been replaced by dry ones. The main advantage of dry food is, first of all, time saving, which is very important in our time. Few people can afford a full and correct breakfast these days. That is why the main benefit of breakfast cereals is their simple and quick preparation. Such breakfasts are made elementary. One has only to pour milk over the cereal. In addition, milk can be replaced with yogurt or kefir.

During the production of breakfast cereals, all the beneficial substances of cereals are preserved. For example, corn flakes are saturated with vitamins A and E, while rice flakes contain amino acids important for our body. Oatmeal contains phosphorus and magnesium. But, unfortunately, not all breakfasts are good for the human body, some of them can be harmful.

Breakfast cereals include snacks, muesli, and cereals. Snacks are balls and pads of different sizes made from rice, corn, barley, oats and rye. These cereals are steamed under high pressure in order to preserve the maximum amount of beneficial trace elements and vitamins. However, with additional heat treatment, such as frying, the product loses its usefulness. When nuts, honey, fruits, chocolate are added to flakes, muesli is obtained. For the production of snacks, ground flakes, as well as various additions to them, are overcooked. More often children love snacks, so they are produced in the form of different figures. Some manufacturers add a variety of toppings to their snacks, including chocolate. However, after adding sugar and various additives to breakfast, it will no longer be very useful. In this regard, to maintain health and shape, it is better to choose unprocessed cereals or muesli with fruit and honey.

Why are breakfast cereals harmful?

The most harmful product is snacks, since more nutrients are destroyed during their preparation. One serving of such breakfasts contains only about two grams of fiber, while our body needs up to 30 grams of dietary fiber per day. It is more useful to eat unprocessed flakes that have not undergone heat treatment. This product will fill the body with the necessary amount of fiber. Snacks are harmful due to frying, as they become high in calories and fatty.

It is necessary to take into account the high calorie content of breakfast cereals. For example, the calorie content of stuffed pillows is about 400 calories, and chocolate balls - 380 calories. Cakes and sweets have a similar calorie content, and this is not useful. More damage is caused by various additives that make up breakfast cereals. That is why buy raw cereals for children, without various additives. Add honey, nuts or dried fruit to your breakfast cereal and skip foods that include sugar substitutes.

Wheat, rice and corn flakes are very easy to digest because they contain simple carbohydrates. This fills the body with energy and provides the brain with nutrition, but excessive consumption of these carbohydrates leads to excess weight.

Cooked breakfast cereals are very harmful. During cooking, the fat or oil used in the cooking process can lead to cardiovascular problems and high cholesterol levels. Flavor enhancers, leavening agents and flavoring agents are often included in breakfasts. Avoid purchasing products with these additives.

A child can be given flakes from the age of six, not earlier, since coarse fibers are complex for the absorption of the child's intestines.

The pain that people can periodically feel for various reasons can destroy all the plans made for the day, ruin the mood and worsen the quality of life. Pain can be of a different nature, but to get rid of it, people resort to using pain relievers. However, at the same time, few people think that by using an anesthetic, we can harm our health, since each drug has side effects that can manifest itself in a separate organism. However, not everyone knows that some foods are able to reduce or relieve painful sensations, while being effective enough and without exposing the body to additional risk. Of course, when any pain occurs, it is necessary to determine what it is associated with. Pain is a kind of signal from the body, indicating that it has a problem. Therefore, in no case can you ignore the pain, and sometimes it is impossible to do this, because it reminds of itself, sometimes at the most inopportune moment. In our article we will talk about what foods can relieve pain, or reduce its manifestation, at least for a while.

For people with chronic diseases that periodically manifest themselves as painful sensations, you can make up a kind of pain relieving diet to alleviate their condition. So, here are some foods that can soothe pain:

Turmeric and ginger... Ginger is a proven medicine for many diseases that can effectively treat pain. For example, in oriental medicine, this plant is used to reduce toothache. To this end, you need to prepare a decoction of ginger and rinse the mouth with it. Pain from exercise and from intestinal upset and ulcers can be soothed with ginger and turmeric. In addition, these plants have a positive effect on kidney health.

Parsley... These greens contain essential oils that can stimulate blood circulation in the human body, including the blood supply to internal organs. When parsley is consumed, the body's adaptive abilities increase, which speeds up healing.

Chilli... This is another pain reliever. In the course of the studies conducted, it was found that red pepper is able to increase the pain threshold of a person. The molecules of this product activate the body's immune defenses and produce endorphins that act as a pain reliever. Traditionally, this pepper is included in the menu of peoples living in difficult natural conditions and engaged in hard physical labor.

bitter chocolate... As mentioned above, the hormone endorphin, which is also called the "hormone of happiness", is a natural pain reliever. The production of this natural pain reliever is stimulated by the consumption of chocolate. The peculiarity of chocolate to give pleasure to everyone is known, however, this product not only gives mood, but is able to relieve painful sensations.

Whole Grain Products... According to some experts, the pain-relieving properties of foods made with whole grains are prohibitively high. These foods are high in magnesium, which can help relieve muscle soreness. In addition, these foods help relieve headaches by protecting the body from dehydration.

Mustard... Mustard has the ability to relieve headaches that come from overwork or other causes. It is enough to eat a piece of bread smeared with fresh mustard.

Cherry... It is very easy to eliminate a headache by eating a few ripe cherries.

Garlic... This is another burning product that can relieve pain, and it also applies to pain caused by various inflammations.

Citrus... These fruits have pain relievers, just like other foods that contain vitamin C. Citrus fruits relieve pain from a variety of reasons. In addition, these fruits act as a general tonic. Therefore, it is the first product to be transferred to patients in the hospital.

Cinnamon... Another important remedy used in the fight against various inflammations and pains. Cinnamon reduces the negative effects of uric acid, an increased level of which can trigger the development of many diseases, including arthritis.

Let's get to know each other first. Chicory is a herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family and includes two cultivated species and six wild ones. The name of this plant, with its beautiful melliferous bright blue flowers, similar to cornflower or chamomile, means "going beyond the fields."

Common chicory (cichorium intybus). Other names: zheltyanitsa, petrov whip, black companion, blue batogs, serpnik, shkerda, shcherbak, endevy.

The Mediterranean is considered the birthplace of chicory. This drought-resistant perennial plant is widespread in the temperate zone. It grows along the banks of rivers, along roads, near settlements, in wastelands.

For medicinal purposes, chicory root is used, in cooking - the root and leaves. In many countries, the plant is grown on purpose, allotting whole fields for planting. In Russia, lettuce varieties are not grown, and wild plants taste tough.

The benefits of chicory

The popularity of chicory is due to the beneficial properties and composition of substances found in its roots.

In addition to plant proteins, they contain:

• organic acids;
• pectin;
• B vitamins;
• vitamin C;
• potassium;
• magnesium.

Of particular note is the high inulin content (up to 60% of the dry weight of the root). This polysaccharide is well absorbed and leads to a decrease in blood sugar, which makes chicory a valuable product in the treatment and rehabilitation of patients with diabetes mellitus.

Chicory preparations help to improve metabolic processes in the body and strengthen the nervous system, which is useful for sick, weakened people and those who wish to lose weight.

Decoctions, tinctures and compresses from chicory root can be of great benefit to patients suffering from skin diseases, such as:

• seborrhea,
• neurodermatitis,
• eczema,
• chickenpox,
• furunculosis,
• acne,
• psoriasis.

Chicory is a powerful diuretic, which is its benefits and harms at the same time. For people with high blood pressure, this property will be beneficial, and at low pressure, it can be harmful, since the pressure can drop even more.

Useful properties of chicory and recipes based on it

The beneficial properties of chicory have been known since antiquity. Another famous physician Ibn Sina (Avicena), recommended taking the root of the plant for upset gastrointestinal tract and eye inflammation.

Medicine uses chicory decoctions as:

• antimicrobial,
• anti-inflammatory,
• diuretic,
• choleretic,
• antipyretic
• antihelminthic agent.

In the roots of chicory, the glycoside intibin was found (gives a bitter taste), which is used in pharmaceuticals as a vasodilator, relieves attacks of tachycardia and, together with B vitamins, helps to normalize the activity of the nervous system.

Traditional medicine recipes

Compress for the skin:
Pour the chopped roots of chicory with boiling water in a ratio of 50/50%, apply to the affected area for 20 minutes.

A decoction for those who want to lose weight:
Boil 1 teaspoon of chopped chicory roots like coffee in 0.5 liters of water, then cool, strain, take 1/2 cup 30 minutes before meals, 3 times a day.

These properties alone could have deservedly created the popularity of chicory, however, the roasted and ground root of the plant is better known as a coffee substitute.

Chicory in cooking

The roots and leaves of cultivated chicory species can be used in salads (with bell peppers, cucumbers and onions), vinaigrette (with pickles, green peas, carrots, onions, eggs).

Chicory in any form gives food a particularly piquant taste, stewed in vegetable or butter, with egg-butter sauce, it is used as a side dish for potato or meat dishes.

Chicory salad recipe

Ingredients:

• 300 g of young chicory leaves (can be replaced with lettuce leaves);
• 200 g Roquefort cheese;
• 10 walnuts;
• 150 g watercress;
• 3 tbsp. tablespoons of olive oil;
• 2 tbsp. tablespoons of apple cider vinegar;
• 2 teaspoons of liquid honey;
• salt;
• pepper.

Preparation:

1. Uncover the walnuts and separate the kernels from the scarloop.
2. Toast the nuts over high heat with a few drops of olive oil. (Stir constantly with a spoon until well done; this will take a couple of minutes).
3. After the nuts are browned, remove them from the pan and leave on a plate to cool.
4. Chop the chicory and place it on a platter.
5. Stir in watercress.
6. Sprinkle cheese over the dish.
7. Spread the toasted walnuts evenly on top of the leaves.
8. Combine the vinegar, honey and olive oil in a separate bowl and season with salad, salt and pepper as desired.

The salad should be served immediately after preparation and can be used as a stand-alone dish.

Chicory - a coffee substitute

Chicory coffee is a product derived from chicory root and used as a coffee substitute. It perfectly quenches thirst and invigorates. It can be drunk by pregnant women and children over three years old.

In the middle of the last century, when natural coffee had to be “taken out”, chicory-based drinks were more popular. With the increase in the supply of coffee, the popularity of chicory has declined, but more and more health conscious people are thinking about it.

People who need to give up coffee can start drinking chicory drinks. Your morning cup of delicious coffee can easily be replaced with a chicory drink. Its aroma and taste is different, different from coffee, but no less pleasant.

Chicory coffee recipe

The roots of chicory are dug up in the fall, they are cleaned of the earth, washed, cut and dried, then roasted in the oven until golden brown. Before use, grind finely in a coffee grinder.

Preparation:

Chicory is brewed like coffee: 0.5-1 teaspoon per glass of boiling water. Sugar and milk to taste.

Tip: if at first the taste of the chicory drink seems unusual or not very tasty to you, then you can add a little ground coffee to it.

Properties of chicory coffee

Chicory coffee contains the complex carbohydrate inulin (10 to 15%). Once in the body, inulin slowly lowers blood sugar levels, so it can keep it at a constant level.

Inulin
Inulin is also considered a type of soluble fiber, making it useful for preventing constipation and for absorbing toxins from the intestines.

Since inulin is very resistant to the action of digestive enzymes, it reaches the intestines with little or no change. There it is exposed to microorganisms of the intestinal flora, which use it in their diet. Thus, inulin is considered a prebiotic because it can stimulate an increase in the number of bifidobacteria.

Intibin
In addition to inulin, chicory root is rich in the valuable substance intibin. Intibin stimulates the production of bile, which in turn increases appetite and aids digestion.

Minerals, Omega 6 and Omega 3 acids
We must not forget that chicory coffee is rich in minerals, including potassium, phosphorus and calcium, as well as essential fatty acids: linoleic (Omega 6) and alpha-linolenic (Omega 3).

Benefits of chicory coffee versus regular coffee

Coffee is primarily a stimulant. Chicory can be considered as a regulator of digestion and bowel function. Both coffees have diuretic properties, but they do so in very different ways.

Chicory has many advantages over coffee without the negative properties of caffeine, here are the main ones:

• Coffee is a stimulant because the caffeine it contains increases cellular metabolism. Chicory contains a set of nutrients (magnesium, calcium, potassium, fiber, Apigenin, vitamin C, etc.) that increase urine output without affecting the nervous system.
• Caffeine has muscle relaxant effects. Chicory can also reduce muscle pain, but with the help of other components (apigenin, magnesium, rutin, etc.)
• Both coffees have antioxidant properties.

Harmful use of chicory and coffee made from it

Chicory roots are not toxic and do not show pronounced side effects, but there is a report that the aqueous extract of the roots inhibits spermatogenesis in mice and exhibits pronounced contraceptive activity in rats. Such experiments have not been performed on humans.

Harm and contraindications to the use of chicory:

• Oddly enough, one of the contraindications to the use of chicory is associated with its beneficial properties. By promoting vasodilation, drinks from this plant can adversely affect patients suffering from varicose veins and hemorrhoids.
• It is necessary to limit or completely abandon the use of chicory for some types of gastritis.
• This plant should not be used by people who have a tendency to form kidney stones, as the root is rich in oxalate.
• Parents should be aware that increased appetite from chicory drinks can lead to weight gain in children.

Harm and contraindications to drinking coffee and other chicory drinks.

Chicory is a drink that is considered a great alternative to coffee. It can be safely consumed by both children and the elderly. This is due to the fact that chicory lacks caffeine, which means that it is not able to raise blood pressure. However, many ladies have adopted another wonderful property of this drink - if you use it correctly, you can get rid of excess weight. How to drink chicory for weight loss and how to cook it? Let's figure it out.

What is chicory

The benefits of chicory have been known for a long time. Our ancestors especially revered the plant with blue and purple flowers from the Astrov family. Today, chicory acts as a dietary supplement. If you need to use chicory for weight loss, it is recommended to use its root. The leaves of this plant, on the contrary, contribute to an increase in appetite.

The benefits of chicory

A drink like chicory has many beneficial properties. Unlike coffee, it does not slow down the absorption of B vitamins and does not provoke neuroses. The greatest value of chicory is for those people who, for certain reasons, had to give up tea and coffee.

The plant can be used for constipation and intestinal dysfunction. Chicory is also used as a diuretic and laxative, so it is prescribed for those suffering from gallstones.

Chicory has a lot of useful properties. Here are the main ones:

• has anti-inflammatory properties, due to which it has a healing effect in skin diseases, burns and wounds;
• reduces the likelihood of developing bowel cancer;
• effective for joint problems (arthritis, rheumatism);
• improves the work of the cardiovascular system;
• eases the condition with neurotic disorders;
• has a therapeutic effect for thrush;
• relieves the condition of women during painful periods;
• promotes the assimilation of vital trace elements;
• removes cholesterol and harmful toxins from the body;
• provides the prevention of anemia.

Chicory leaves can be used to make salads. Natural sweeteners are prepared from the root extract.

How chicory contributes to weight loss

Does chicory help you lose weight? This question is of particular concern to those who have problems with being overweight. First of all, it should be noted that in order to accelerate the loss of body fat, it is extremely important to establish metabolism. In the composition of chicory there are special substances in the form of intibin and inulin. They help to activate the process of breaking down fats. In addition, chicory has a slightly bitter taste and can reduce appetite.

If the goal is to get rid of the hated kilograms, you should not rely on only one miracle drink. It is important to review your diet, take time to physical activity, follow a drinking regimen and drink chicory for weight loss.

How to drink chicory to lose weight

To lose weight, nutritionists recommend replacing coffee with chicory. For 2 months, you need to drink at least 3 cups of this drink daily. It is best to drink chicory before meals.

Instant chicory can be diluted with low-fat milk or boiled water. When taking a drink, it is necessary to count the calories. To lose weight, it is important that they do not exceed 1,500 calories per day.

Instant drink

If it is not possible to devote time to preparing a drink on your own, you can purchase instant chicory for weight loss. Ready-made chicory powder is considered a natural product that copes with the cleansing of the liver and blood. A drink of this plan normalizes blood glucose levels. Its advantage is that it has no side effects, since it does not contain chemical additives and has a pleasant taste and aroma.

Thanks to the large list of beneficial properties, chicory can be drunk not only to lose weight, but also to improve overall well-being. To activate the metabolism, it is enough to drink at least 2 cups of chicory a day.

Chopped chicory root drink

The secret of chicory root is its positive effect on digestion processes and improving the intestinal microflora. Fructooligosaccharides help to activate the growth of beneficial bacteria. For the results from chicory for weight loss to appear, you need to use the root of the plant as a raw material. A drink made from the crushed root will accelerate the breakdown of fatty deposits, reduce insulin in the blood, and cope with hunger.

A decoction of chicory root can be combined with an infusion of blueberries, sea buckthorn, rose hips. To prepare a decoction of chicory roots, you need to pour 1 tsp. powder 500 ml of water. Let the product stand for about 2 hours. After this period, the liquid must be filtered. If desired, you can add honey to the drink.

Chicory with ginger for weight loss

Chicory in tandem with ginger is extremely useful for weight loss. To get a fat-burning drink, you need to take a slice of ginger, a little honey, half a lemon. All components must be crushed and filled with 1 liter of hot water. In the morning, the mixture should be supplemented with chopped chicory root (20 g). The resulting drink can be drunk 30 minutes before meals several times a day.

Chicory with milk for weight loss

If you know how to drink chicory correctly for weight loss, you can achieve good results and lose a few pounds. To make the drink not only healthy, but also tasty, it can be prepared in different ways. The most valuable is chicory cooked in milk.

To prepare a healthy drink, you need to take soluble chicory or the crushed root of this plant (2 tbsp. L.). You will also need milk and water (0.5 cups each). The powder is poured with liquid, the composition is mixed, after which it can be drunk throughout the day.

Chicory coffee

To counteract the harm from coffee, it can be paired with chicory. To prepare a healthy invigorating drink, you need to put coffee and chicory in a Turk (1 tsp each), pour 200 ml of water over them and put on fire. As soon as bubbles begin to appear, the container can be removed from the stove. Pour a little milk with a minimum percentage of fat into the brewed drink, mix and put it back on the fire for a few minutes.

Cinnamon

Chicory with added cinnamon is an invigorating drink that is best drunk in the morning. This drink normalizes blood pressure, it can be used by those who suffer from diabetes.

Cinnamon gives the drink a special aroma and enhances its fat burning effect. To prepare a drink, you need to prepare:

• 1 glass of water;
• a cinnamon stick;
• chopped chicory root (15 g).

Prepare the drink as follows:

1. Pour chicory into a saucepan and pour boiling water over it.
2. The liquid is brought to a boil.
3. After boiling, the drink is filtered and poured into a glass with a cinnamon stick.

Contraindications

Despite the huge list of useful properties of chicory, you need to be careful with it, since it is not devoid of contraindications. It is forbidden to drink chicory when:

• varicose veins;
• the presence of kidney stones;
• diseases of the stomach and intestines of a chronic nature;
• problems with blood vessels.