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Benefits
Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.)
It is a perennial plant with the height of 0.2–1.2 m. It is most commonly found as a wild plant (var. intybus) on roadsides and pastures in the lowlands and foothills of Poland. Wild varieties are also found in other parts of Europe and northern Africa and Asia. The leaves and roots of this plant have medicinal properties, and have therefore been long used in folk medicine.
A decoction of the roots drunk as tea was used to treat gastric catarrh, indigestion, liver and kidney diseases, and jaundice. The roots of the wild varieties are also appreciated nowadays as they contain inulin, which protects against inflammation of the large intestine and neutralizes toxins (cleanses the body).
Besides naturally occurring wild varieties in Europe, northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India and North America, seed varieties are also cultivated, which are usually biennial plants. The thickened roots can be used for the production of natural coffee substitutes, and the leaves are nutritionally valuable animal feed.
The dry matter content in the roots of chicory seeds is approx. 76%. The dry matter consists of: carbohydrates, proteins, fats and minerals. The main carbohydrate is inulin, which belongs to fructans (soluble fraction of dietary fiber). Inulin is now regarded as one of the most popular dietary products to replace sugar and fat in foods. Besides inulin, the roots of chicory seed contain other carbohydrates, e.g. cellulose and hemicellulose (approx. 1.3 %), which belong to the non-soluble fiber group. Although they are not digested in the human digestive tract, they are an indispensable element of our daily diet.
The roots of chicory seed contain small quantities of protein (approx. 1.1%), fat (approx. 0.3%) and minerals (approx. 0.7–0.8%); therefore, their impact on the nutritional value is smaller than that of carbohydrates. The chicory root also includes triterpenes – biologically active compounds. Triterpenes have properties that can be extensively used in pharmacology, exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and antiviral properties. This group includes, among others, sesquiterpene lactones, substances characterized by a strong bitter taste.
Consumers, however, are mostly familiar with the leafy witloof chicory, called Belgian endive (var. foliosum Hegi). It is grown in Europe, including Poland. Chicory leaf buds are valuable lettuce, and the roots are used as animal feed.
The roots of the chicory seed are worth consuming mainly because:
- Carbohydrates: which include fructans
- Hypoglycemic Properties: recommended for diabetics
- Hipocholesterinemic Properties: recommended for people with elevated levels of LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides