SLO LIFE Magazine AugSep 2021

RICH HISTORY
Chicory is making a comeback. While it may have faded
from popularity, only to surge on the health scene in recent
years, chicory has a rich, intercontinental history where it
was popularly used as an herbal medicine throughout Asia
and Europe. “Historically, chicory was grown by the ancient
Egyptians as a medicinal plant, coffee substitute, vegetable
crop, and occasionally used for animal forage,” notes a 2013
scientific review led by Renée Street. This hardy plant became
a staple around the globe, from South Africa, where the
roots are “made into a tea for jaundice and used as a tonic
for infants,” to Turkey, where “an ointment is made from the
leaves for wound healing.”
In France, chicory became a commercial crop after Napoléon
Bonaparte encouraged citizens to drink local chicory root
coffee instead of imported colonial coffee. As citizens embraced
this local coffee alternative, demand skyrocketed. In his book
“Coffee and Chicory,” 19th century author Peter Simmonds,
“estimated demand for chicory to be a whopping 16 million
pounds around 1860 in France.”
In Louisiana, New Orleans embraced chicory as a coffee
replacement when “their port was blockaded during the Civil
War,” notes a 2020 publication by Marie Viljoen. “The Great
Depression and two world wars propelled chicory into the
20th century, where it came to represent deprivation for many.”
Others embraced chicory so greatly it became preferable to its
bitter, caffeinated counterpart.
Now, it seems chicory has come full circle, with recent accolades
as a healthful addition to everyday life. With roots as an herbal
medicine, and more people growing increasingly wary of the
disadvantages of caffeine present in traditional coffee, chicory
seems to easily fill a void between the two. Though the science
behind the claims is relatively slim, early findings are promising.
SCIENCE OF CHICORY
Preliminary studies on chicory revealed it to be a “multipurpose plant that
contains high amounts of proteins, carbohydrates and mineral elements,” notes
Street. However, it appeared chicory contained a secret ingredient, inulin.
“Inulin is a type of fiber … a carbohydrate made from a short chain of fructose
molecules that your body doesn’t digest,” explains Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN, LD.
What does this mean for our digestive system? Inulin is a prebiotic, an
essential counterpart to probiotics. This means inulin, Streit clarifies, “feeds the
beneficial bacteria in your gut that play key roles in reducing inflammation,
fighting harmful bacteria and improving mineral absorption.”
However, chicory may provide a plethora of health benefits beyond prebiotics.
One study, published in Phytotherapy Research, “... offered an encouraging
starting point to describe the antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory effects of
phenolic compounds found in chicory coffee.” Antithrombotic properties mean
chicory could possibly reduce the formation of blood clots, pointing to its
potential heart-healthy benefits.
The anti-inflammatory aspect can be beneficial to those experiencing pain
associated with arthritis. This claim was supported by a study published in
2010, that “suggested that a proprietary bioactive extract of chicory root has a
potential role in the management of osteoarthritis.” Managing arthritis pain
with something as mild and natural as chicory root is incredibly promising.
However, both studies conducted were pilot studies, “And therefore, considered
to be insufficient so support a well-established use indication for chicory root,”
notes Street.
However, with relatively mild side effects, chicory root may become an
attractive option to try. Chicory can trigger reactions “in people who
are allergic to ragweed pollen or sensitive to related plants, including
chrysanthemums, marigolds, daises and other members of the same plant
family,” says Andrew Weil, M.D., in a 2016 article. Additionally, “consuming
[chicory] could theoretically be a problem for people with gallstones, but these
are unlikely possibilities.” As with any supplement, consult with your doctor
before incorporating chicory into your health and wellness plan. >>
74 | SLO LIFE MAGAZINE | AUG/SEP 2021