To date, the question remains, which is healthier - coffee or chicory? They are asked by many people who want to maintain their health and receive only benefit from such drinks. A definite answer to this question cannot be given, since coffee and chicory have their own characteristics. Each of these drinks has advantages and disadvantages, which are worth discussing separately.
The article provides information on whether it is possible to use chicory as a substitute for coffee. The benefits and harms, composition and taste of both products are described below. All this is important to know for every person who is fond of such drinks, but does not want to suffer from them.
Chicory
When answering a question about how chicory is useful instead of coffee, you should first find out what the first product is. In fact, it has very interesting properties. This root is often used as a substitute for regular coffee, which some people like to drink right after waking up. Its taste and aroma are close to a coffee drink, but chicory also has its own specifics. As a rule, people choose the root of a plant for the simple reason that it brings more benefits than coffee. In addition, it is even allowed to be consumed by babies older than three years and the elderly. And in order to better understand this issue, it is worth considering the features of the drinks separately.
Benefit
It is good to know about the benefits of coffee and chicory to every consumer who is abusing at least one of these products. First of all, you need to talk about the benefits of a second drink.
Chicory is recommended to drink to people suffering from the following ailments and problems:
- eczema
- malaria
- overweight;
- jaundice
- jade;
- nocturnal enuresis;
- diseases of the stomach and intestines;
- anemia
- increased sweating;
- insomnia;
- impaired heart function;
- gallstone disease.
It is also worth noting that chicory coffee is good for diabetes. Although some patients have little faith in this fact, doctors have repeatedly confirmed its reliability.
The product in question has a positive effect on the human body, because it has the following properties:
- general strengthening;
- choleretic;
- lowers sugar levels;
- enhancing immunity;
- anti-inflammatory;
- antimicrobial.
Chicory root is also actively used in the field of cosmetology. There it is customary to make all kinds of masks, decoctions and infusions from it, which restore collagen production, thereby providing increased elasticity and elasticity of the skin.
Structure
Many people ask what is more beneficial - coffee or chicory, without even thinking about the composition of these products. Speaking about the second drink, it should be noted that it is rich in useful components. For example, it contains a whole complex of vitamins A, PP, C, E, group B, as well as trace elements (magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, copper, iron, zinc, manganese), due to which it is called therapeutic. Additionally, tannin and protein compounds are present in it. A special role is played by:
- inulin, which provides an opportunity to drink a drink for diabetics;
- intibin and glycoside, which provide a characteristic flavor of chicory - a slight bitterness.
Also, people sometimes ask about the calorie content of this product. Fortunately, it is not too large - exactly 21 kcal per 100 grams, so the drink can be safely classified as dietary.
Harm
Chicory, replacing coffee, can also have a negative effect on the human body. But it should be noted right away that this happens only if it is consumed in excessive quantities daily.
The adverse effects are:
- acute pain in the stomach;
- vascular ailments;
- individual intolerance;
- lowering blood pressure.
Varieties
To understand whether it is useful to drink chicory instead of coffee, it is necessary to learn about what varieties of the first exist. It is different depending on the type of processing. To date, on sale are: liquid extract, ground root and soluble powder. The very first variety is considered to be the most useful. This is explained by the fact that when receiving a liquid extract they do not resort to heat treatment, this allows you to save all useful substances in it. If you prepare a drink from such chicory, the process will be very easy and fast. Other types of product also have their own characteristics:
- Ground and fried. Such chicory in the manufacture is subjected to purification, drying, frying, as well as fine grinding of roots. The result is a natural product with a pronounced aroma and taste. Due to the absence of chemical elements in the composition, it acts only positively on the human body. In addition, there are many ways to make a drink. It is worth noting that the recipe has similarities with the brewing of ordinary coffee.
- Soluble. The product in the form of a powder is made from a concentrate of fried and small roots. Here, the cooking process consists only in dissolving the composition in hot water. By the appearance of the goods, you can immediately determine that there are no lumps and foreign elements in it. The main thing during its storage is that the jar must be tightly closed so that moisture does not get into the powder.
Coffee
The drink itself is known to many people. It is usually drunk in the morning to recharge your batteries and tune in to your new work day. But is it really worth consuming coffee? The drink has a lot of positive and negative sides, so everyone should ask themselves about its reception.
Particular attention should be paid to the question of whether chicory is suitable as a substitute for coffee. The benefits and harms of the second are very interesting. It is quite possible that some people will prefer it to him, since there really are reasons for this. Although, looking at the situation from the other side, the disadvantages may turn out to be more significant.
Beneficial features
Coffee has a certain effect on the consumer's body. It not only helps to wake up, but also:
- accelerates metabolic processes;
- increases resistance to stressful situations;
- effectively fights depression;
- conducts the prevention of gout and gallstone disease;
- improves memory;
- reduces appetite.
Moreover, the drink in question has anticancer and antioxidant properties. It is also worth attributing to its advantages.
Negative sides
Speaking about which is more beneficial - coffee or chicory, you should definitely consider the disadvantages of both drinks. The second has already been described above, but now you need to pay attention to the first. So, coffee can contribute to the appearance of the following:
- sleep disturbance;
- increase in blood pressure;
- headaches;
- general weakness;
- increase in blood cholesterol;
- the appearance of dependence on the composition;
- deterioration of the appearance of the skin and hair;
- apathy;
- heartbeat acceleration;
- the development of vascular and joint diseases;
- nervousness.
What is coffee
Comparing chicory and coffee, do not forget that each of them has its own varieties. It is they who determine the benefit and harm of the product.
Coffee can be natural, instant and sublimated. In the first case, it is allowed to use it in not too large doses, but only in the absence of contraindications. As for the second and third types, they contain slightly less caffeine, but at the same time they have a greater negative effect on the body. This happens for the simple reason that not all manufacturers work in good faith, adding harmful chemicals to their products.
Which drink is healthier
Choose: coffee or chicory - which is better, it costs each person their own. Here, for the most part, it all depends on the individual characteristics of the body, because the pros and cons of both drinks. The best option would be to visit a doctor who, based on his state of health, will confirm which product can be consumed so as not to harm his health.
People who have no serious health problems were very lucky - they are allowed to drink both chicory and coffee. But at the same time, you must always adhere to the dosage. Doctors say that both drinks can be consumed up to four in the evening in an amount of not more than two mugs per day.
Chicory drinks
You can prepare a drink according to various recipes. Their number today is quite large, so there is a choice. Having considered several cooking options, surely everyone will want to try them out, because the taste of the finished product is difficult to compare with anything.
Instant coffee and chicory combine very well in one mug. To prepare a drink involving both of these components will not take too much time. Here you will need to use 0.5 tsp. chicory and coffee, 150 ml of boiling water and icing sugar. The cooking process is simple:
- to connect dry components;
- pour hot water;
- to cover with a lid;
- leave for two minutes;
- strain;
- spread over the cups.
If desired, the drink can be decorated with whipped cream. But at the same time it is worth remembering the sweets, because many people prefer to drink coffee and chicory without sugar at all.
No less popular drink is cocoa based on chicory. It is made from two tablespoons of root powder, a liter of milk, a teaspoon of vanillin and granulated sugar. For cooking, you need to take a stewpan and place all the components there, with the exception of milk. Then the last ingredient is required to put on fire, bring to a boil and pour the dry mixture there. The resulting mass should be cooked for 5 minutes. Then it needs to be filtered and poured in portions.
Also worth noting is a drink approved for use by diabetics. It is made from ground chicory root, flaxseeds and burdock leaves, taken in equal quantities. Still here you will need to add blueberries (to taste). The resulting collection must be poured with boiled hot water, best in a thermos, and left for 10 hours. It is recommended to use such a product twice a day before main meals in half a glass.
Chicory coffee can be made for those who want to lose weight. To do this, you need to take the fried and ground product in an amount of 40 grams, and then pour it with a liter of boiling water. After the mixture is required to insist, strain and combine with the already prepared green tea in a ratio of 1: 1.
The second version of the drink that helps to lose weight is a composition with ginger, honey and lemon. All these ingredients will need to be taken in equal proportions, pour boiling water so that it is a couple of centimeters higher than the mixture, and left in a tightly closed container for about 12 hours. Then you need to add the chicory root powder in the same amount in which the other ingredients were taken.
Drinking both drinks for weight loss is recommended three times a day. The main thing is to drink them before eating, as they significantly reduce appetite and help to get enough faster.
What is better for pregnant and lactating
Especially often the question about what is more beneficial - coffee or chicory, is asked by future or real mothers, whose development depends on the state of health of the baby. The first drink is forbidden to use both during pregnancy and during lactation. But on the other hand, chicory will be his perfect substitute. It is he who does not have absolutely any negative effect on the child, although the effect in the form of vigor and the elimination of depression gives the same as coffee. The only exception is the presence of contraindications to this drink, indicated above.
As for coffee, in some cases, the attending physician may allow it, but this applies only to women suffering from severe toxicosis. In such a situation, they can use the product no more than half a coffee cup per day. But experts recommend chicory to drink after waking up to get a boost of energy and in the evening to calm the nerves after a hard day.
Reviews
Some people consider chicory as a substitute for coffee, while others argue that there is simply no point in comparing these products, since they are completely different. In general, people's opinions on this issue diverge, because everyone has their own point of view.
Most reviews boil down to the fact that chicory resembles a drink from childhood, so adults drink it with great pleasure. And if you combine it with milk, then it is very similar to coffee. Those who use it exclusively in the mornings often speak about the second drink - people like its effect, although over time it ceases to be so strong.
Based on the foregoing, the person himself must decide which drink to drink. Clear recommendations, useful and harmful properties presented in the article will help him in this. In general, both products can be consumed, but observing the dosage, since if it is exceeded, negative consequences can be obtained from any drink.