Cichorium intybus, or more commonly known as chicory, is a plant belonging to the dandelion family Asteraceae. This plant is rich in various essential nutrients, including insulin, pectin, folic acid, calcium, zinc, potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, as well as vitamins A, B6, C, E, and K.
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Due to its great nutritional value, the chicory can provide you with numerous health benefits.
The consumption of this plant can help you to detoxify your body, treat many digestive problems, prevent bacterial infections, strengthen your immune system, reduce arthritis pain, lower your risk of heart disease, and protect you against kidney stones.
The chicory root is particularly noted for its ability to stimulate weight loss.
How Does Chicory Root Help in Weight Loss?
The chicory root is extremely effective in promoting weight loss since it stimulates the secretion of bile, cleanses your liver and gallbladder, and boosts your metabolism.
This plant can also help you to improve your digestive system. The chicory root is a great source of insulin, which is a powerful prebiotic that stimulates the growth of friendly bacteria in the intestines.
Because of its high insulin content, this root can help you to boost your digestion, reduce the acidity in your body, and treat many intestinal and digestive problems, such as indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux disease.
Moreover, the chicory root is one of the best natural sources of oligofructose, a form of dietary fiber which supports the weight loss process.
The oligofructose helps in the regulation of ghrelin, a hormone which is responsible for increasing the feelings of hunger.
The chicory root can help you to reduce your body’s production of ghrelin and to increase your levels of satiety, which makes it very beneficial for promoting weight loss.
How to Consume Chicory Root?
In order to consume this plant, you should prepare a chicory root tea. Add 5 g of chicory root to 350 ml of cold water.
Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer it for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, remove it from the heat and let it stay for 10 minutes.
Afterward, you may strain and drink the tea. You should consume this tea two to three times a day, before having a meal.