Is chicory good for the liver or harmful — 6 facts about its effect

Chicory has been considered a weed plant for some time.

However, in recent research scientists have found that chicory contains a huge portion of antioxidants that protect the liver from the negative effects of external factors.

Other studies confirm that chicory reduces cholesterol and triglycerides in liver tissues, improving lipidogram indicators.

And also dried chicory root is actively used as a substitute for coffee – it is allowed to be taken even with diabetes mellitus and with some chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

In this article, we will look at what effect this plant has on the functioning of the liver and other digestive tract organs, as well as how to brew and take it correctly.

6 useful properties of the plant

The first thing to pay attention to is that in folk medicine, not only chicory root is actively used, but also flowers, leaves, and the pagon itself. For the liver, various kinds of infusions based on chicory bring the following benefits:

1. Protects liver cells. The hepatoprotective effect is provided by resins and bitter essential oils that are part of the root and flowers of the plant. They enhance the protective functions of the immune system, strengthen cell membranes. This effect also extends to the kidneys and pancreas.
2. Purify the bile ducts. And the same inulin in combination with resins contributes to this. These components stimulate the outflow of bile, normalize its composition. Regular consumption of such tea is an excellent prevention of the formation of gallstones.
3. Prevents accumulation toxins in the blood . This helps to "unload" the liver, reduce the amount of toxins that the body has to filter regularly. This is facilitated by inulin, which gently cleanses the intestines and normalizes the balance of microflora. The same effect makes it possible to generally improve the functioning of the entire gastrointestinal tract.
4. Relieves inflammation. Thiamine and riboflavin, which are part of the leaves, flowers and root, regulate the release of histamines. That is why chicory-based tea is recommended to be preferred for hepatitis, including in the complication stage.
5. Strengthens blood vessels , through which blood enters the liver. Ascorbic acid, contained in the root and flowers of chicory, contributes to this. It also protects liver cells from destruction, additionally strengthens the immune system.
6. Helps to remove sand from the gallbladder. In the early stages of gallstone disease, chicory prevents the development of complications. But if there are already signs of inflammation, blockage of the bile ducts, then further intake is prohibited.

Contraindications and possible harm

In some cases, chicory can be not only useful, but also harmful to humans.

The plant causes allergies in many people, so it should be taken with extreme caution for the first time.

Tea based on this plant also increases appetite, so it should be abandoned in case of obesity (especially if it is supplemented by fatty hepatosis, when lipids replace healthy liver cells).

It is also contraindicated in the following diseases:

• Gastric ulcer and/or duodenal ulcer;
• Gastritis of any etiology (including catarrhal);
• Chronic diseases of the vascular system;
• Varicose veins;
• Varicocele;
• Hemorrhoids.

In the presence of any other chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and of the cardiovascular system It is recommended to consult with your doctor in advance. Otherwise, you can get more harm than good from drinking the drink.

Another note – at the initial stages of taking chicory flatulence, constipation, diarrhea may occur . This is a normal phenomenon caused by a sharp change in the balance of microflora. This should not be perceived as a side effect if no other negative symptoms occur.

Is it possible to drink chicory for liver diseases?

Not all liver diseases are allowed to take chicory. Due to its choleretic effect, it stimulates the work of the organ, which, with the same cirrhosis in the advanced stage, is categorically contraindicated. But in the initial stages, on the contrary, chicory will help to normalize the work of the gastrointestinal tract.

What about other liver diseases:

1. Fatty hepatosis. This disease occurs mainly due to obesity, when there is an excess of fat in the body. And chicory root increases appetite. Therefore, in the initial stages, it can be taken in moderation, complementing such treatment with mandatory adherence to a low-calorie diet. But in the advanced stages of hepatosis, chicory is contraindicated.
2. Hepatitis. Chicory will help slow down the inflammatory process, reduce body temperature. But the effect is still negligible. There is no contraindication.
3. Cholelithiasis. Chicory is contraindicated in this disease, as it has a choleretic effect. In the presence of concretions in the bile ducts, this can provoke their blockage, which is eliminated in 95% of cases only through surgery.
4. Pathology of the liver vessels. Chicory is contraindicated, as with any other diseases of the cardiovascular system, when the risk of blood clots increases .

How to take a purchased drink?

The following chicory variations are most often found in grocery stores or pharmacies:

• Soluble (in granules);
• Insoluble (fried, ground).

It is recommended to give preference to insoluble - it has a richer taste and more useful components.

In the soluble, only 20-30% is chicory, the rest is auxiliary components for the formation of granules.

But you can even cook such a drink with milk. More "refined" recipes are often found on forums, for example, cocoa with chicory. The main thing is that the plant does not lose its beneficial properties even in this case. Just do not store it, allowing sunlight to get on the package.

The chocolate drink is prepared as follows:

1. Mix 50 grams of chicory and cocoa;
2. Add 150-200 grams of sugar (to taste);
3. After bringing the milk to a boil, slowly add the mixture of cocoa powder and chicory, stirring gradually;
4. After 3-4 minutes – remove the cocoa from the heat, let cool.

It is better to drink in small portions, up to 100 grams at a time. It is not worth abusing, since in large quantities chicory causes gastrointestinal upset, can provoke gastritis (since it increases the acidity of gastric juice).

Collecting and self-harvesting plants

It is important to know when to harvest a plant. To get the maximum benefit from it, you should be engaged in harvesting for the second year of chicory flowering, already in autumn, when new inflorescences are no longer forming, and the leaves turn yellow. It was during this period that the maximum of inulin, resins, thiamine, and riboflavin was found in the flowers themselves and in the root.

In younger plants, the same essential oils are practically absent.

But flowers and leaves can be harvested back in August, before they begin to crumble. It is better not to touch the root at this time – there are practically no bitter substances in it, there will be no choleretic effect from taking it.

It is recommended to dry chicory either in special fruit dryers or in the oven at minimum temperature and with the door ajar. In the sun, by no means. Many useful substances are destroyed by ultraviolet radiation. The same applies to the use of high temperatures during drying. At 100 degrees or more, riboflavin is destroyed, and inulin is partially destroyed. The benefits of such raw materials will be much less.

How to make tea from a plant? It is recommended to use the following recipe:

1. For 1 cup of water – 1 teaspoon of dry root or mixture (with leaves, pagons, flowers), which is pre-passed through a coffee grinder;
2. Brew like regular coffee, preferably in a turk, over very low heat, turn it off immediately after boiling;
3. After – let it cool down a little and drink like coffee.

It is recommended to drink no more than 50 grams of the drink at a time. Then it can be heated using a microwave. 1 glass should be drunk during the day in 3-4 doses. There is no strict restriction on the course, nutritionists recommend drinking regularly every other day.

Conclusion

In total, the plant is not only possible, but also necessary to take for many diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including the liver. The drink from it turns out fragrant, tasty and low-calorie. Doctors often recommend that they replace traditional black coffee – the body responds positively to such "changes" in the diet. But you still shouldn't abuse it – the plant gives a powerful choleretic effect, which can provoke gastritis or stomach ulcer.