Jeffrey Weishaupt says that the perennial plant known as chicory (Cichorium intybus) has been around for a very long time and is planted all over the world. It has been used for feeding livestock for a very long time. However, because of its therapeutic, dietary, and gastronomic benefits, it is also widely used for human consumption. According to Lizzie Streit of Healthline, chicory root comes from a plant with vivid blue blossoms that is a member of the dandelion family. Since it has a similar flavor and color to coffee, it has been used for generations in cooking and traditional medicine. This root's fiber is frequently extracted and used as a food additive or dietary supplement because it is said to have several health advantages.
First, it contains a lot of prebiotic fiber inulin. By dry weight, fresh chicory root contains 68% inulin according to Lizzie Streit. Fructan, also called fructooligosaccharide, or inulin is a form of fiber consisting of fructose molecules that your body cannot digest. It functions as a prebiotic, feeding the good microorganisms in your gut. Therefore, the fiber included in chicory roots may support ideal gut health in a number of ways. Chicory root fiber may aid in good digestion because the inulin it contains nourishes your gut flora as it goes through your body undigested. For instance, research indicates eating inulin helps ease constipation.
Chicory root fiber, especially in those with diabetes, may improve blood sugar control, according to Lizzie Streit. Its inulin, which encourages the growth of helpful bacteria engaged in carbohydrate metabolism, which converts carbs into sugars, and sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that aids in absorbing sugar from the blood, maybe the cause of this. Additionally, some studies imply that chicory root fiber may control hunger and lower total caloric intake, possibly resulting in weight loss, however additional research is required.
It's simple to include chicory root fiber in your diet. In fact, given that it's occasionally used as an addition in packaged goods, you might already be ingesting it without recognizing it. More and more often, chicory root is being processed for its inulin, which has a mildly sweet flavor and is used to improve fiber content or as sugar or fat alternative due to its gelling qualities. Chicory root is usually regarded as safe, yet it can make some individuals feel bloated and gassy when consumed whole, crushed, or supplemented. The main component of chicory root fiber, inulin, comes from a plant that is related to the dandelion family. Among other health advantages, it has been linked to better blood sugar regulation and intestinal health. Try boiling the whole root to consume with a meal or making chicory root coffee for a hot beverage if you're interested in benefiting from this fiber.
DMO II Marie-Claire Gaas, RND
References:
- 5 Emerging Benefits and Uses of Chicory Root Fiber
Written by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD on November 14, 2019 — Medically reviewed by Adda Bjarnadottir, MS, RDN (Ice)
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/chicory-root-fiber#_noHeaderPrefixedContent
- Chemical Composition and Nutritive Benefits of Chicory (Cichorium intybus) as an Ideal Complementary and/or Alternative Livestock Feed Supplement
Ifeoma Chinyelu Nwafor, Karabo Shale, and Matthew Chilaka Achilon
- Are There Health Benefits of Chicory?
By Jeffrey Weishaupt
