Comparing coffee and chicory | Which is healthier

In the debate about the dangers, harmfulness or harmlessness of coffee a lot of copies are broken. It is said to affect the cardiovascular system, irritates the mucous membranes of the stomach, and is addictive. But at the same time coffee as no other drink helps to cheer up, wake up and improve your vitality. It’s also delicious.

The alternative to coffee is chicory. Caffeinated beverages are consumed by hypertensive people, people with angina pectoris, and people suffering from peptic ulcers. And in taste, chicory “from afar and in the dark” resembles coffee. Maybe, since it is so safe, it should completely replace espresso and other cappuccino?

In this article we will try to put an end to arguments and find out what is better and healthier – coffee or chicory.

Coffee

The main advantage of coffee is that it contains caffeine. Caffeine is an alkaloid, which has an invigorating, restorative and psychostimulating effect. This is why coffee helps you wake up and improves performance.

In addition, coffee boasts a fast-acting. The tonic effect occurs within 10-20 minutes after the intake and lasts, depending on the type of drink and the peculiarities of human metabolism, up to 1-2 hours. After that the psychostimulatory effect passes. At the same time it is not recommended to consume one cup of coffee after another – the body starts to accumulate theobromine, which leads to a decrease in mental and physical vitality.

In general, coffee is characterized as follows:

1. Source of caffeine– the most fast-acting tonic that helps wake up, cheers up and has a psychostimulant effect;

2. It has a bright and full flavor. Of course, a particular palette of tones depends on the variety of coffee, brewing method, preparation, additives (including sugar) and many other external factors. In almost all cases, however, the taste is intense, rich and intense;

3. Reduces the feeling of hunger, Has not too noticeable, but still available “fat-burning” effect, so it can be used in comprehensive weight loss programs as an aid;

4. It has the prophylactic effectHas a wide range of illnesses, including cancer, diabetes, asthma, and cirrhosis of the liver;

5. Among the negative factors– It is addictive and has an irritant effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach. That is why it is better not to drink on an empty stomach and at all to refrain from drinking it if you are prone to ulcer diseases.

Thus coffee has both positive and negative qualities. And the most negative of these is addiction. Regular consumption of coffee leads to caffeine tolerance – in order to wake up, we have to drink it more and more often – and to the emergence of addiction. It is certainly not as strong as narcotic, alcohol, tobacco, or medication, but there is.

So, to summarize.

Advantages

• Rapid tonic effect;

• Acts as a psychostimulant (improves concentration, concentration and other cognitive functions);

• A bright, rich taste;

• Prophylactic effect against a multitude of diseases – diabetes, “cancer”, diabetes mellitus and so on;

• Positive effect when used as an aid to weight loss.

The disadvantages of

• It irritates the mucous membranes if consumed on an empty stomach, which is especially dangerous for people with gastritis or ulcer prone;

• When consumed regularly, it is addictive, which manifests itself in both caffeine tolerance and dependence on caffeine.

It is worth noting that the dangers of coffee appear with its prolonged, regular or excessive use. 1-2 cups a day without an empty stomach are unlikely to harm the body in any way.

Chicory

Although chicory is used as an alternative to coffee, the flavors of these drinks are quite different. Yes, and the effect – too. So switching from coffee to chicory may require a longer adjustment period than one would like.

In addition, the invigorating properties of chicory are extremely controversial. It does not contain psychostimulants. It certainly contains a huge amount of vitamins, as well as proteins and fats, but everything is about as invigorating as an ordinary breakfast. The only “but” – chicory contains tannins, which have a mild tonic effect, but they are present in extremely small quantities – even tea bags offer more tannins.

That is, to cheer up in the morning by drinking a cup of chicory-based drink will not work. The tonic effect is slow and mild, so that it does not produce a rush of energy.

In general, chicory is characterized as follows:

1. Mild tonic effectdue to the content of vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates and tannins in the drink;

2. Specific taste, which has little in common with coffee drinks. But it’s not much like tea either, so it can be used just to diversify your diet;

3. Contains inulin.This probiotic regulates blood sugar levels and helps with normal metabolism. So chicory is suitable for use in weight loss, and its property of supporting the metabolism is especially important for those who lose weight through dieting or diet control;

4. Inulin not only regulates metabolism, but also improves the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, which means it helps with digestion. Drinks based on chicory without sugar are suitable for people with diabetes;

5. Among the negative qualities– Noticeable diuretic and choleretic effect. This is why it is contraindicated in cholelithiasis.

It’s important to note that chicory is sold in two forms. The first is directly chicory. The second is the chicory extract. And the extract is strongly not recommended for purchase, because it has neither positive nor negative effects, and it is quite difficult to understand what substance is used as “ballast” in the finished powder.

So, to sum up.

Advantages

• It contains inulin, which regulates metabolism and has a positive effect on intestinal microflora;

• Safe for Diabetes;

• It has a mild tonic effect.

Disadvantages

• No psychostimulant effect. That is, drinking chicory before some kind of preparation for an exam will be no more practical than just water;

• Contraindicated in gallstone disease and not suitable for use after heart attacks, strokes and similar “strokes.

The bottom line is that chicory is more of an alternative to tea than coffee. However, many people like the taste of this plant’s burnt root. So the choice of beverage becomes more a matter of personal preference than practical benefit.

It is also important to note the content of inulin in the drink. It is good for regulating the metabolism, has a sweet taste, and is safe for people with diabetes. But it is especially useful for losing weight while dieting or controlling the diet, because at such times it is more important than ever for the body to maintain a normal metabolism.

Comparison

In general, the conclusions are obvious – coffee invigorates and tones up, but chicory – just a beverage with some useful action due to the vitamins and inulin content.

There are more questions about taste than there are about benefits. The rich aroma of coffee, its complex taste palette, including sour, bitter, floral and fruity tones, but characterized by richness and strength, may not seem pleasant to everyone. Just like chicory. So you should choose on the basis of your feelings and impressions.