Coffee or chicory – which is healthier to drink, according to scientists?

Coffee and chicory are fairly common drinks. They both have a proven set of beneficial properties: they reduce the risk of developing diseases of the cardiovascular, digestive and central nervous systems, and increase overall life expectancy. However, drinks differ from each other and have various side effects and contraindications that must be taken into account.

In this article we will compare the pros and cons of coffee and chicory, and also figure out which of them is healthier and which should be preferred in one case or another.

Pros and cons of coffee

Coffee contains large amounts of caffeine, antioxidants and other biologically active substances. The beneficial properties of coffee have been well researched. It activates the nervous system, strengthens the heart and blood vessels, and increases physical and mental performance.

pros

The most striking beneficial qualities of coffee are described below:

1. Increased mental and physical performance. It has been proven that coffee improves brain function, leads to an improvement in the overall emotional background, and increases the speed and quality of any tasks performed.
2. Reducing body weight. It has been proven that coffee helps you lose weight, since caffeine can speed up overall metabolism and increase the utilization of fat cells from the depot.
3. Normalization of glycemic background. According to scientific data, just 1 cup of coffee reduces the risk of developing type II diabetes by 14%, 4 cups – by 30%. The action is based on slowing down the absorption of glucose from the lumen of the digestive tube and increasing the sensitivity of peripheral tissue cells to insulin.
4. Prevention of degenerative pathologies of the central nervous system. Scientists say that when consumed regularly, coffee is beneficial for the nervous system, as it reduces the incidence of diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Pick's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Such deviations lead to rapid disability, loss of labor and social adaptation, and the ability to self-care.
5. Preventing cirrhosis. According to American experts, coffee reduces the risk of developing liver cirrhosis caused by various diseases (viral or alcoholic hepatitis, benign and malignant tumors) by 20-80%. For more information on the effect of coffee on the liver, see a separate article.
6. Prevention of depression. Surprisingly, coffee is good for depression. It has been proven that when taken regularly, it reduces the severity of anxiety and stress by 20%, and reduces the risk of suicide by 53%.
7. Antitumor effect. According to research, drinking 2-5 cups of the drink per day (with long-term consumption) significantly reduces the risk of malignant degeneration of liver cells, mucous and submucous membranes of the large intestine and rectum, and skin.
8. Improved cardiovascular health. It has been noted that coffee strengthens the heart and blood vessels, significantly reduces the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction, hemorrhagic stroke.
9. Preventing gallstone disease. American scientists have found that caffeine reduces the secretion of bile acids into the lumen of the gallbladder and normalizes the motor activity of the entire biliary tract. The combination of the described effects prevents the formation of stones.
10. Prevention of gout. Chinese experts have discovered that caffeine slows down the formation of uric acid and accelerates its excretion along with urine. As a result, reliable prevention of the early development of gout and hypertension is ensured.
11. Improved gut health . The wide range of antioxidants included in the drink significantly reduces the incidence of inflammatory, autoimmune (Crohn's disease, UC) and malignant proliferative processes in the walls of the digestive apparatus.
12. General increase in life expectancy. According to scientists, coffee has an effect on almost the entire human body and reduces the likelihood of developing a wide range of (including life-threatening) diseases. As a result, life expectancy increases as the risk of death decreases.

Thus, coffee, due to the presence of a wide range of antioxidants and caffeine, helps improve the emotional background, prevents the development of many pathologies and increases overall life expectancy.

Minuses

Coffee deficiencies occur (in most cases) as a result of excessive consumption. Below are the most common adverse reactions associated with drinking the drink:

1. Increased anxiety and general restlessness.
2. Irritability, negative or aggressive attitude towards people and surroundings.
3. Dizziness (central).
4. Photopsia (goosebumps, dots before the eyes).
5. Feeling of palpitations or interruptions in the functioning of the heart muscle (arrhythmia).
6. Unpleasant or painful sensations in the calf muscles.
7. Addiction. With regular use, caffeine addiction develops. The human body gets used to a “qualitatively new mode of operation.” Scientists say that abruptly giving up coffee can trigger withdrawal symptoms, which also occurs when you limit your intake of cocaine or morphine.
8. Sleep disorders. It has been proven that coffee increases the time it takes to fall asleep and makes sleep more shallow.

Coffee has many side effects that should be taken into account before drinking. For example, drinking a drink late can lead to insomnia.

Effect of harm or treatment

— Chicory has many useful properties. The main positive effects on the most important functions: correction of the functions of the liver, pancreatic (pancreas) gland and kidneys; Gastrointestinal tract, nerve systems, heart and blood vessels; removal of harmful substances from the body; improvement of metabolism; protection against depression and colds; prevention of malignant tumors; strengthening immunity and others.

Chicory is not indicated for those taking antibiotics. It weakens the effect of medications. At the same time, in asthmatics with an allergic reaction to “vitamin C”, chicory worsens cough. Allergy sufferers should start drinking this drink with small doses and carefully monitor the body's response. People with hemorrhoids and varicose veins should be careful.

— Coffee has become the subject of long debate regarding harm and benefit. Caffeine, as a plus, has an invigorating effect, however, according to doctors, the invigorating drink is prescribed only to people in good health. Frequent consumption of caffeine has a complex negative effect on the body. At the same time, moderate consumption prevents some cancers, diabetes, heart pain and headaches.

However, experts have very conflicting opinions. Therefore, unless there is a contraindication, coffee can be consumed in moderation. A couple of cups a day is normal. Unfortunately, caffeine is addictive, and many people drink too much coffee without noticing it.

Pros and cons of chicory

Chicory is an equally popular drink. It is often used as a coffee substitute by people who have certain contraindications.

pros

The main advantages of a drink based on crushed chicory roots include:

1. Saturation of the body with valuable nutrients. 60 grams of dry chicory root contains 7% of the daily requirement of manganese, 4% phosphorus, 5% potassium, 3% folic acid, 7% vitamin B6 and 5% vitamin C. It is also important to note that chicory is 11% consists of inulin - a valuable prebiotic necessary to maintain intestinal microbiocenosis and normalize fat and lipid metabolism.
2. Normalization of digestive function. Chicory normalizes intestinal microflora (individual populations of microorganisms increase 4-5 times), improves stool consistency, and provides reliable prevention of constipation.
3. Preventing colorectal cancer. It has been proven that inulin, due to the suppression of chronic inflammation, prevents the earlier formation of colon and rectal cancer.
4. Normalization of glycemic background. The drink, according to Chinese experts, helps increase the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin, which provides fairly reliable prevention of type II diabetes mellitus and other glucose metabolism disorders (fasting hyperglycemia, increased glucose tolerance).
5. Increased bone density. American scientists have found that chicory increases the bioavailability of calcium, a key macronutrient that ensures the maintenance of bone mineral density. As a result, the likelihood of developing osteoporosis and bone fractures (especially in old age) is reduced.
6. Improved liver health. Chicory root contains chicoric acid, which protects hepatocytes from oxidative damage and improves liver function. Against the background of regular consumption of the drink, there is a decrease in markers of liver cell destruction (ALT and AST), alkaline phosphatase (a symptom of bile stagnation). Chicory can prevent the early development of liver cirrhosis.
7. Prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Inulin, which is part of chicory, reduces the concentration of total cholesterol in the blood and its atherogenic fractions (LDL, TAG), thereby reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis and related complications (coronary heart disease, chronic cerebral ischemia, myocardial infarction, etc. ). Chicory also improves the rheological properties of the blood and can help eliminate edema due to its diuretic effect.
8. Improving the course of diseases and conditions . It has been proven that when taken regularly, chicory reduces the severity of pain in the presence of arthritis or osteoarthritis, which makes it useful for older people. The effect is comparable to drugs such as Indomethacin or Meloxicam.
9. General increase in life expectancy. Chicory, like coffee, prevents the early manifestation of many deadly diseases, which, of course, has a positive effect on life expectancy. Experiments in this area were carried out on rats and roundworms, and showed good results.

Thus, chicory is a useful product that normalizes the functioning of the cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, and musculoskeletal systems. When regularly added to the diet, the risk of developing malignant pathologies and early death is reduced.

Minuses

The main disadvantages of chicory include the following:

1. Negative impact on the children's body. There is a myth according to which pregnant women can drink chicory instead of coffee. However, it is not. Chicory is strictly forbidden to be consumed during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and for children under 3 years of age. Neglecting this rule can lead to disruption of the child’s development.
2. Irritation of mucous membranes. If the oral cavity and digestive system are healthy, chicory is harmless. However, in the presence of inflammatory pathologies (gastritis, duodenitis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, stomatitis), the product aggravates the course of the underlying disease.
3. Stimulation of the formation of stones in the gallbladder. Chicory stimulates the secretion of bile into the lumen of the biliary tract and promotes the formation of stones. If there is a history of cholelithiasis, it is contraindicated.
4. Allergic reactions. Unfortunately, hypersensitivity to individual components of chicory is extremely common. Cases of cross-allergy have been described.

Chicory is not without its drawbacks. It is not recommended to take the drink during inflammatory diseases of the digestive tube, children under 3 years of age, women during pregnancy, as well as with increased sensitivity of the body.

Which is ultimately healthier?

It is impossible to say for sure which drink is more beneficial. Coffee has more pronounced and effective effects, it invigorates better in the morning, is more beneficial for losing weight, and provides reliable prevention of a number of cardiological and endocrine diseases. However, it has an impressive range of side effects, most of which are due to the presence of caffeine, the main active ingredient of the drink.

It is known that chicory does not contain caffeine, therefore, emotional disturbances, depressive disorders, hypertensive crises (with refractory hypertension), etc. do not develop when taken.

If the human body is healthy and has no obvious contraindications, then coffee is a better choice.

If there are abnormalities in the central nervous (sleep disorders), endocrine and cardiovascular systems (drug-resistant arterial hypertension), it is better to drink chicory than coffee.

Chemical composition

The popularity of chicory drink is due to its positive effect on the body. It contains the following elements:

• vegetable proteins;
• vitamins of group B, A, C and PP;
• pectin;
• organic acids;
• potassium;
• iron;
• calcium;
• magnesium.

The root of the plant contains a large amount of inulin, a polysaccharide that reduces sugar levels. For this reason, the drink is useful for people with diabetes.

Who should replace coffee with chicory?

Chicory can be a good substitute for coffee for the following conditions:

1. Ages from 3 to 16 years. You can only drink coffee from 16-17 years of age.
2. Any sleep disorders.
3. Any pathology of the mental sphere.
4. Renal arterial hypertension. Refractory hypertension with frequent crises.
5. Glaucoma.
6. Smoking. Nicotine enhances the effects of caffeine and increases the risk of side effects, especially addiction.
7. Taking antidepressants (Fluvoxamine) and oral contraceptives.
8. Iron-deficiency anemia.
9. Severe functional failure of the liver and kidneys.

If there are contraindications to coffee, you should completely abandon it and use chicory as a replacement.

History of chicory from Ancient Egypt to modern Russia

Little is known about the biological homeland of common chicory (Cichorium intybus). Since ancient times, it grew in the Mediterranean, and then came to both hotter, drier regions (such as northern Africa) and cooler ones (Northern Europe, central Russia).

The incredibly viable plant attracted the attention of healers back in Ancient Egypt. In 1872, an ancient document consisting of 108 sheets of papyrus was found in Thebes. Translators managed to decipher it several decades later. “The Book of Preparation of Medicines for All Parts of the Body” contained a description of many medicinal plants (used by Egyptian healers), including chicory. 3.5 thousand years ago, doctors used it as an ingredient in antidotes for snake and insect bites.

In Ancient Rome, the health benefits of chicory were studied by the best scientists of their time - Theophrastus and Pliny the Elder. However, it was not used as a medicine, but as a garden herb: the leaves were added to salads and other dishes. In the Middle Ages, the “father” of modern medicine, the great Avicenna (Ibn Sina), wrote about this plant. And in Europe, chicory was grown in monastery courtyards by Catholic monks. The roots were roasted and ground, and then infused with hot water.

At the beginning of the 18th century, settlers from Europe brought chicory to North America, where it quickly spread and became part of American cuisine.

No one knows for certain when chicory began to grow in Rus', but since ancient times people have called it “Petrov batog” (according to legend, the Apostle Peter used it as a twig for the sheep of his flock). The cultivation of chicory and its industrial use is the merit of Peter I. He brought the habit of drinking chicory drink from Holland and, in order not to be left without it in Russia, ordered the herb to be grown in the Yaroslavl province. The largest harvest was produced by the fields of the village of Poreche-Rybnoye, where by the beginning of the 19th century up to 10,000 poods (about 164,000 kg) of chicory were harvested annually. By 1834, the harvest reached approximately 40,000 pounds. Chicory processing enterprises operated in the vicinity of the same village.

The first large plant using the new steam engine opened only in 1884. “Trading house A.P. Selivanov’s sons” operated until Soviet times, and then was nationalized. But the use of chicory continued: in 1932, the Chicory Research Institute was founded, and the plant began to be cultivated throughout the USSR. During the Great Patriotic War, this became a great help for both front-line soldiers and residents of the rear: soluble powder for “coffee”, crackers and sweets were made from chicory. The heyday of chicory continued until the early 80s, then there was a sharp decline, which only ended now.

Finally, chicory has ceased to be considered a cheap substitute for coffee and has acquired the status of a healthy drink.

Is it possible to mix drinks and why?

In order to reduce coffee in the daily diet, it is recommended to mix it with chicory, gradually increasing the proportion of the latter.

Initial concentration: 1 part chicory, 3 parts coffee. After 3-4 days - 2 parts coffee, 2 parts chicory, after 1-2 weeks the drink should contain at least 75-80% chicory. After a month, take only chicory.

Such a “slow” transition scheme will avoid the development of withdrawal symptoms and help the body cope with addiction to coffee without harming itself.

To gradually give up coffee, it is recommended to mix it with chicory.