Can chicory be considered a full-fledged alternative to coffee. We weigh the pros and cons.
Excessive caffeine consumption does not affect health in the best way. The more people decide to reduce the amount of caffeine consumed (or give it up altogether), the more different alternatives we see on the market. In the first place – chicory, which tastes like coffee. But are these drinks really interchangeable? We understand what chicory is, what its benefits are and whether it can be considered a full-fledged alternative to coffee.
Ukraine , Ukraingate , 12 , January , 2022 | Health
What is chicory
The drink is made from chicory root, which is dried, roasted and ground like real coffee. There is a lot of controversy about the taste: some argue that it is indistinguishable from coffee, some consider this drink quite specific and not “coffee”. However, the amount of nutrients in chicory root is impressive: vitamins A, B and E, vitamin C, fiber, magnesium and inulin (making it an ideal drink for people with diabetes). In addition, it (unlike coffee, which irritates the gastric mucosa) has a beneficial effect on the health of the digestive system.
What chicory has useful properties
Nutritionists unanimously identify several useful properties of chicory:
high content of fiber and trace elements provide healthy digestion and normalize the balance of intestinal microflora;
prevention of diabetes due to high inulin content;
reduces the risk of inflammatory processes in the body and strengthens the immune system.
Does chicory invigorate just like coffee
It is a known fact that caffeine invigorates, increases efficiency and concentration. Chicory does not contain caffeine at all, but has a tonic effect due to its high content of vitamins. However, the effects of vitamins and caffeine can hardly be called equivalent. Of course, if you drink chicory every day for a month (minimum), the overall fatigue of the body will be reduced by the action of a complex of vitamins. But if you need to cheer up after a sleepless night, a cup of black coffee will be much more effective.
Does chicory taste like coffee?
However, coffee and chicory are completely different plants, and no matter what they say, they also taste very different. It would be strange if the beans of the coffee tree tasted the same as the root of a dandelion-like plant. If you are a true connoisseur of coffee and can determine the variety by smell and the country from which it was brought, to taste, you are unlikely to like chicory.
Can you completely replace coffee with chicory
Replace, rather, no. Plants and the beverages made from them are too different to evaluate them in terms of interchangeability. Each has its pros and cons. The choice is yours.
Source : Ukrgate