Organic Chicory Coffee and Colon Health

Chicory root has long been used as a beverage ingredient and is world famous as the key ingredient in coffee blends from New Orleans.

Hand picked French chicory imparts a natural sweetness to Chickadee Brand Organic Coffee.

The sweetness (10% of typical sugars) in chicory is due to the presence of of the fructan, inulin.

Inulin is a fructooligosaccharide, a naturally occurring polysaccharide produced by many types of plants, including chicory.

Colon Health Effects:

Inulin fiber is a carbohydrate belonging to a class of compounds known as fructans. Because inulin fiber is resistant to digestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract it reaches the large intestine essentially intact, where it is fermented by indigenous bacteria. 
As a prebiotic, Inulin fiber stimulates the growth of friendly and healthy intestinal bacteria which supports good colon health. Since it also has a very low glycemic index, it is suitable for many people who are on restricted diets.

Inulin-type fructans (beta (2,1 )fructans) extracted from chicory roots (Cichorium intybus) are prebiotic food ingredients, which in the gut lumen are fermented to lactic acid and SCFA. 

The effects have been reported to be associated with gut flora-mediated fermentation and production of butyrate. In human cells, inulin -derived fermentation products inhibit cell growth, modulate differentiation and reduce metastasis activities. In conclusion, evidence has been accumulated that shows that inulin -type fructans and corresponding fermentation products reduce the risks for colon cancer.

Side Effects, Safety, Risk:

Medical research has shown that chicory can reduce the heart rate, thus it can help counteract the stimulating effect of caffeine when blended with coffee. Inulin side effects have rarely been reported, perhaps very high amounts could cause some gastrointestinal symptoms.