One of the 10 holistic ingredients in MTE, chicory root is a multitalented superfood that complements our wellness blend of adaptogens, nootropics, and superfoods.
You’ve probably seen the chicory plant before, and you might have heard about it in the world of gut health supplements. But what is it, exactly? And why is it so popular in the vitality industry?
The chicory plant (Cichorium intybus) is a tall, leafy, flowering plant in the daisy family. It grows wild with daisy-like blue, white, or pink flowers. The leaves are often used in boujee salads and other trendy whole-food meals. But the fibrous roots seem to have the most potential, which is why you’ll mostly hear it referred to as chicory root, and not just chicory.
Historical & Traditional Uses of the Chicory Root
It’s claimed that chicory was first cultivated in Egypt around 5000 years ago for liver and heart support, but there’s little more than anecdotal evidence to support that. In the Greek-dominated ancient world, chicory is mentioned in many pharmacopoeias, and it continues to be in the books right up to modern times.
The experiential evidence of chicory root has accumulated over the last 2300+ years, spanning continents, contexts, and belief systems. Some traditional uses of the chicory plant include:
- In Afghanistan, immune tonics of chicory root extracts were used to treat malaria.
- Traditional Indian medicine used different parts of the chicory plant for liver disorders, diabetes, cough, gout, and rheumatism.
- In Italy, chicory leaves and roots were used for vascular support, including blood cleansing, blood pressure, and vascular conditions.
- In Poland, chicory roots were steeped as a tea and used for digestive problems and appetite stimulation.
- In South Africa, all parts of the chicory plant were used to treat jaundice.
- Traditional uses for the chicory root in Turkey include cancer, kidney stones, wound healing, hemorrhoids, and urinary disorders.
Chicory root has regained its popularity in the modern era, but for millennia, physicians, botanists, and even poets have been singing its praises. This aeon of indigenous knowledge from across the world has led today’s research to investigate the compounds and mechanisms behind this superfood’s health benefits.
Clinical Evidence for the Benefits of Chicory Root
Over 100 distinct compounds have been identified in the chicory plant, most of which are concentrated in the roots. The main one you’ll hear is the fiber inulin, which is known for organic gut support. But there are a bunch of other good things going on in there, too.
Benefits of chicory that are supported by modern science include:
Antimicrobial
In lab settings, several organic acids contained in the chicory root have shown an ability to inhibit bacterial adhesion to cells, as well as the biofilm formation that comes with bacterial infestation.
Chicory root extracts have also demonstrated inhibitory effects on disease-causing organisms, including Salmonella, E. coli, and Micrococcus. Leaf, seed, and root extracts have shown particular abilities against several drug-resistant viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Digestive Support
The tannins and lactones in the chicory root have shown distinct benefits to digestion and gut biome in studies on grazing animals. Benefits include reduced gastrointestinal disorders and increased digestive function. Chicory root supplements have also shown an anti-worm ability in several types of grazing mammals and gastroprotective properties in rats.
Antimalarial
This is an example of traditional uses being confirmed by clinical analysis. If you recall, chicory root extracts were used in Afghanistan to treat malaria. Modern studies have confirmed the antimalarial activity of the chicory root via its bitter compounds – namely, lactulin and lactucopricin.
Liver & Immune Support
Many of the traditional medicinal uses of chicory have been as a hepatoprotectant, and clinical literature supports these uses.
One double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the effects of chicory in patients with liver cirrhosis reduced several harmful markers and demonstrated anti-oxidative, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties. Several other studies have shown that chicory root extracts can reduce fat accumulation and necrosis in animals with liver disease.
Other Supported Benefits
There are a host of other capabilities of the chicory plant modern science has uncovered or confirmed. They include:
- Anti-diabetic/blood sugar regulation
- Anti-inflammatory
- Analgesic/pain relief
- Antioxidant
- Antitumor
- Antiallergenic
Chicory root has also demonstrated anti-toxicity activity, restorative activity in several immune system markers, inhibitory effects on lymphocyte production, wound healing effects, and an ability to reduce stress symptoms on the heart.
Why Gut Health Matters so Much
Digestive health isn’t just about a calm stomach and regular movements. You may have heard the gut referred to as a “second brain”, and there’s some weight to that argument. Not only does your digestive system have its own nervous system, it can also operate autonomously from your actual brain.
The community of bacteria in your gut, referred to as a microbiome, is very important in those gut-brain interactions. Prebiotics and probiotics foster a diverse community, which creates homeostasis. An unbalanced microbiome, on the other hand, can mess with digestive signaling and indirectly mess with mood, energy levels, and even immune system function.
We didn’t just throw chicory root in our formula to add another item to the long list of MTE’s benefits. Supporting gut health is necessary to support vitality, which is what our daily wellness blend is all about.
That and a caffeine-free energy boost – because we love the ability to get energy without caffeine and all its issues.
Is Chicory Root a Safe Superfood?
A review of the literature supporting all these uses of the chicory root cites several toxicity studies on chicory supplementation. Studies showed no toxic or mutagenic effects in animals, and the scientific community generally agrees that chicory is safe for human use even in high doses.
However, chicory root isn’t recommended for everybody. You should consult a physician before adding chicory to your daily supplement routine if you:
- Have a gallbladder or liver condition
- Kidney disorder
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Diabetes
- Are on certain medications
People who should avoid chicory as a wellness additive include:
- Children
- People with a ragweed allergy
- People who are pregnant/nursing
MTE’s Trio of Superfoods: Chicory, Amaranth & Spirulina
More Than Energy is a daily energy blend – a pared-down, plant-powered wellness companion for fatigue, mood, digestion, immunity, energy, focus, recovery, and more.
Of the 10 clean ingredients in MTE, chicory root is one of three key superfoods we use to support the adaptogens and nootropics in our formulation. The other two are amaranth for cardiovascular support, immune support, antioxidant activity, and more; and spirulina for energy, nutrition, anti-inflammatory activity, and more.
The ingredients in our proprietary daily wellness blend make up more than the sum of their parts, adding up to overall wellness support that helps you feel steady and clear throughout the day.
Try MTE and feel what daily energy can be when it starts with real support.