Nutrition Facts Water and Beverages Is Chicory Coffee Good for You? Chicory Coffee as a Healthy Substitute for Your Regular Brew By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Richard Fogoros, MD on July 27, 2017 Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified internal medicine physician and cardiologist. He is Verywell's Senior Medical Advisor. Learn about our Review Board Richard Fogoros, MD Updated on February 03, 2020 Print Verywell / Alexandra Shytsman More in Nutrition Facts Water and Beverages Dairy Fruit and Vegetables Proteins Whole Grains Snacks If you are a coffee-lover looking to cut back on your caffeine intake, chicory coffee is often touted as a healthy alternative to the standard brew. Made from the roasted and ground root of the chicory (Cichorium intybus) plant, this lower-caffeine alternative has a flavor that’s remarkably similar to the taste of regular coffee. There are two types of chicory coffee. One type is caffeine-free, made entirely from chicory root or from chicory mixed with other caffeine-free ingredients. The other type, which contains caffeine, is made by brewing regular coffee combined with roasted, ground chicory root. The caffeine content of the latter type depends on the coffee to chicory ratio in the brew. Because so few studies have explored the health effects of chicory coffee, little is known about the safety of long-term chicory coffee consumption. Still, sipping chicory coffee in moderation shouldn’t be a problem for most healthy people, although some people notice gas, bloating, or diarrhea after consuming a lot of chicory (due to the inulin content). People with allergies to ragweed, marigolds, daisies, and related plants may experience an allergic reaction to chicory. If you have allergies, talk to your doctor before drinking chicory coffee. Should You Drink Chicory Coffee Instead of Regular Coffee? Although drinking too much regular coffee can have a negative impact on your health, coffee also has its share of health benefits. For example, studies have shown that regular coffee consumption may help fend off diabetes, keep your brain sharp as you age, and protect against depression. Additionally, some research indicates that compounds found in regular coffee may help decrease oxidative stress, which is a destructive biological process linked to heart disease and other major health problems. How Free Radicals Create Oxidative Stress Still, overdoing it on caffeine can set you up for a host of health troubles, ranging from abnormal heart rhythms to anxiety. Therefore, many medical experts recommend limiting your caffeine intake to 400 mg per day (the equivalent of about four cups of regular coffee). Chicory is more water-soluble than coffee, so if you'll use a lot less of it (25 percent chicory to 75 percent coffee is often recommended if you are trying chicory for the first time). Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Flamm G, Glinsmann W, Kritchevsky D, Prosky L, Roberfroid M. Inulin and oligofructose as dietary fiber: a review of the evidence. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2001 Jul;41(5):353-62. Grosso G, Micek A, Castellano S, Pajak A, Galvano F. Coffee, tea, caffeine and risk of depression: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2016 Jan;60(1):223-34. Kaur N, Gupta AK. Applications of inulin and oligofructose in health and nutrition. J Biosci. 2002 Dec;27(7):703-14. Nishimura M1 Ohkawara T, Kanayama T, Kitagawa K, Nishimura H, Nishihira J. Effects of the extract from roasted chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) root containing inulin-type fructans on blood glucose, lipid metabolism, and fecal properties. J Tradit Complement Med. 2015 Jan 20;5(3):161-7. Schumacher E, Vigh E, Molnár V, Kenyeres P, Fehér G, Késmárky G, Tóth K, Garai J. Thrombosis preventive potential of chicory coffee consumption: a clinical study. Phytother Res. 2011 May;25(5):744-8.