Can I drink chicory with diabetes?

Proponents of unconventional methods of treatment have long paid attention to an outwardly unattractive, but very useful plant - chicory. This perennial was known even in ancient Egypt, when the healers of that era discovered the healing properties of an amazing plant. Modern scientists have experimentally proven the presence of chicory beneficial qualities. Therefore, the plant is widely used to alleviate the condition in many pathologies, even with such a serious disease as diabetes. Chicory has a lot of excellent characteristics, and therefore it is worthy to get to know it better.

Plant features

An inconspicuous plant likes to settle in secluded places, for example, in ravines, in a dense forest thicket. For this reason, earlier harvesting chicory was accompanied by certain difficulties. Today it’s enough to just go to the store and buy a package of powder or chicory syrup. Although some people prefer to harvest plant materials on their own.

In ancient times, with the help of chicory, they cleaned the body of toxins and harmful toxins, and also treated some skin diseases. When the popularity of perennials reached a high mark, enterprising Belgians decided to grow chicory on an industrial scale. This happened in the 19th century. The high demand for a medicinal plant has prompted scientists to engage in the cultivation of various varieties of perennial. This problem was successfully solved and today three types of chicory are known:

1. Salad look - has a specific taste. It is made from leaves.
2. Chicory root is also dried, and goes on sale as a substitute for coffee, but it does not have caffeine.
3. White chicory root - grown exclusively for the yellowish roots that can be eaten.

Chicory is an essential component of diets aimed at reducing body weight. Calorie content of the plant is incredibly low - the value of 100 g is only 21 kcal. But the composition of the perennial is so rich that few people can compete with it.

Valuable composition

Most of all, chicory has become famous due to its tonic properties. The drink with his participation is unusually aromatic with a delicate caramel-nutty flavor. But the special composition of the components allows chicory to significantly alleviate the condition of patients with diabetes. For such patients, chicory is an indispensable helper.

The composition contains the following substances:

• organic acids;
• tannins;
• a whole group of vitamins;
• essential oils;
• many minerals, including iron and phosphorus;
• vegetable glycosides, including intipin;
• bivoflavonoids.

This whole complex of chemical elements, organically interacting with each other, provides a number of positive properties. These qualities are useful in both types of diabetes.

Plant properties

The most important component that is valued by physicians in chicory is the polysaccharide. Therefore, doctors strongly recommend that diabetics drink a drink based on this plant. Once in the patient's body, this substance works similarly to the hormone insulin. In addition, the polysaccharide can lower glucose levels, but it does it very gently, without exerting a negative effect on the state of the pancreas.

In the second type of diabetes, ground chicory root has a beneficial effect on the activity of the kidneys, and is often used as a prophylactic to prevent nephropathy and renal failure. In addition to these positive characteristics, chicory is also capable of:

• strengthen the immune resource;
• establish digestion;
• regulate bowel function;
• cleanse the body of toxins;
• normalize the process of blood formation.

If a patient has type 2 diabetes combined with heart problems and being overweight, a drink with chicory will significantly help him to feel better and establish metabolism. The components of the composition of the plant burn fat very well, which means that the problem of overweight can be successfully solved with the help of this wonderful plant.

Chicory in the diet of a patient with diabetes

Studying the plant in detail, one involuntarily raises the idea that chicory is specially designed for people with diabetes. Its entire composition seems to be aimed at combating this endocrine disorder. Take, for example, inulin - one of the components of the composition. After all, it is this ingredient that stimulates a decrease in blood sugar. It activates the metabolic processes. Therefore, the presence of chicory in the menu of patients with diabetes is not only desirable, but also necessary. So, for passionate coffee lovers, a chicory drink will be an excellent alternative to the most popular energy drink. The plant can be used in the form of medicinal decoctions, as well as additives to various dishes.

Contraindications

Terms of use

The most reliable way is to purchase the finished chicory powder in a store. From the plant component, you can make a healthy drink and drink it. True, you should not get carried away even with such a useful drink. The maximum daily rate is two cups. It is very easy to prepare a drink: pour a teaspoon of boiling water over a teaspoon of powder for this, let it brew for a couple of minutes and drink it. If desired, you can add milk (1%), this will only improve the taste of the drink.

There are other uses for chicory in diabetes. For example, it can be added to add flavor to the fruit juices, teas and fruit drinks.

Of course, each person has their own nutritional preferences, but in any recipe, chicory will demonstrate its capabilities. This wonderful plant will help to cope with the manifestations of diabetes.

Video: chicory in diabetes