Many packaged goods now use chicory root, which is also a great coffee alternative. You should know this about it.
You are not alone if you have noticed beautiful root coffee at the grocery store and find yourself perplexed about what it really is. Although many have welcomed tightly packed heads of bitter leaves like endive and radicchio—the leaves of chicory plants—you might not yet be familiar with using chicory root in foods and beverages.
Though the root of chicory is edible, you wouldn’t really roast it with olive oil and salt and eat straight-forward like you would the leaves. Usually roasted, pulverized, the bitter root is then either a coffee substitute or an addition to foods.
Here’s all you should know about chicory root, its applications, and possible health advantages.
What is chicory root fiber?
Kelli McGrane, M.S., RD, owner of Kelli McGrane Nutrition, LLC, notes “chicory roots are the roots of the chicory plant that are known for being high in fiber.” ” Particularly, chicory roots are high in a kind of fiber called inulin, sometimes known as chicory root fiber.” According to McGrane, chicory root fiber is sometimes included into commercial food products to boost fiber content.
Chicory Root’s Health Advantages
“One of the benefits of inulin is that it’s a prebiotic, meaning that it can support the growth of beneficial bacteria (called probiotics) in your gut,” notes McGrane. “This is crucial since good gut health has been connected with weight loss, digestive health, enhanced immune system and best absorption of nutrients.”
One thing to keep in mind here is that various kinds of fiber act as prebiotics, hence any high-fiber diet—one heavy in plant foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds—will provide comparable gut health advantages.
Chicory Root Is a Gut-Healthy Plant That Can Mimic Coffee
Particularly among those with diabetes, “chicory root fiber has also been shown to be good for relieving constipation and improving blood sugar control, like some other types of fiber,” notes McGrane.
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Though you’re unlikely to eat enough of it to really receive substantial levels of these nutrients, chicory root also contains tiny amounts of vitamin B6, manganese and potassium.
What is coffee made from chicory root?
We usually don’t eat chicory root on its own as its flavor is quite strong and bitter; consider how bitter even endive and radicchio leaves are. Still, this taste sensation makes chicory root an excellent coffee alternative.
“Chicory root coffee is a beverage made from ground, roasted and brewed chicory roots,” notes McGrane. “Although it is a bit woodier, chicory root coffee tastes and colors similarly to traditional coffee.”
Ricoré is a drink Nestlé markets, 60% chicory and 40% coffee. This type of coffee-chicory combination originated in France, where chicory grows naturally, then migrated to other nations like the United States. Although this custom most likely began as a means to stretch coffee grounds—which cost more than chicory root—some people today do it to reduce the caffeine amount in a cup of coffee.
Would you benefit from chicory root coffee?
The grounds are strained out of the final cup, hence even although 100% chicory root coffee is great and caffeine-free it lacks many other nutrients and fiber. Although there’s nothing wrong with that, keep in mind that chicory root coffee won’t offer the same advantages as the root itself.
If you wish to avoid caffeine and find the flavor of decaffeinated coffee objectionable, chicory root coffee can be very useful for you. Like all fluids, chicory coffee helps you meet your daily water requirements; there are no known harmful consequences from consuming reasonable daily amounts. Regular coffee mixed with chicory root coffee produces a lower-caffeine drink.
Possible Negative Effects of Chicory Root
“Eating too much chicory root fiber can cause gas and bloating since it cannot be digested,” notes McGrane. ” Particularly those with irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, individuals may be more prone to have GI side effects from chicory root fiber.”
The same is true of many varieties of fiber as well. Eating a lot of fiber all at once usually results in these negative consequences; however, persons with IBS may experience unpleasant symptoms with far less fiber—including chicory root.
Food businesses are not obliged to state how much chicory root, sometimes known as inulin, they add to packaged goods including cereal and granola bars, yogurt and flavored water. Check the ingredient list for chicory root and inulin if you are especially sensitive to fibers.
Like everything else, chicory root is not a magic bullet for perfect health. Still, including certain healthy packaged foods with chicory root fiber in line with a balanced diet will help with prebiotic fiber advantages. Still, too much inulin might produce unpleasant effects. Try chicory root coffee if you find its rich, woodsy taste appealing. You’ll also get a drink free of caffeine that will meet your fluid demands.
