What may surprise you is that pine allergies are rare, so many people who believe they are allergic to the Christmas trees that pop up everywhere likely are not. It’s more likely that you’re allergic to the mold that can enter the air from the tree during watering or the dust mites and mold that have accumulated on the tree’s ornaments. If you start having symptoms when you are decorating a tree, you’re likely reacting to the allergens in mold and dust found there. To help ease your symptoms, you’ll need to minimize your exposure by washing your hands after you bring out those boxes of ornaments from storage and unpack them.

Mold from the trees themselves may be responsible for at some of the allergy symptoms people experience during the holidays. As reported by ABC News, researchers at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found that mold from a fresh-cut tree can grow quickly inside a home (https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Healthday/story?id=4509438&page=1). In that experiment, the researchers took mold counts regularly from an indoor tree.

At the start of the experiment, the mold counts on the tree were low. However, after four days, they grew dramatically and ended up reaching 5,000 spores for each square meter. That is five times above the normal mold levels and certainly enough to cause asthma and allergy symptoms. The researchers suggested that people who have mold sensitivity should discard their trees after seven days have passed. Artificial trees are not a good alternative in this case because, when stored, they will gather mold and dust mites each year.

If you have allergies during the holidays or someone in your household experiences them, be careful about how you store and handle your ornaments to help reduce spores and dust in the air. Pack them into plastic storage containers, not cardboard boxes, as the storage containers are easier to clean when it’s time to bring them down into your living space. As tempting as it may be, don’t keep a tree in your house or business for the whole month. Instead, limit the tree to about seven days at the most.

The post Are You Really Allergic To The Holidays? appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

With all the excited talk surrounding fermented foods and digestive help, it may not be so clear what they are and how they can help your digestion, so here are some fast facts for you!

What, exactly, is a “fermented” food?

Any beverage or food that has been transformed by microorganisms’ controlled growth–such as certain molds, yeast and bacteria–is a fermented food. These foods are not new; they’ve been around for thousands of years because of their ability to produce unique flavors.

Are these foods all the same?

You can divide fermented foods into two general groups: ones that contain live microbes when you eat them and ones that do not. Traditional kimchi, uncooked sauerkraut, kefir and yogurt, for example, contain live microbes when consumed. Alcohol, chocolate, tempeh and sourdough bread do not because the living cultures can’t survive the heating and cooking processes used to produce them.

What benefits do you get from eating fermented foods?

There are a variety of benefits that consuming fermented foods offers. They contain vitamins and antioxidants, and they can also aid digestion. Lactic acid bacteria, for example, is used to produce fermented foods such as kefir and yogurt, and this bacteria can improve your digestion of lactose.

Are fermented foods and probiotics the same thing?

This is a bit of a messy area. Not all fermented foods are considered probiotics, and not all probiotics are in fermented foods.

Fermented foods that have some types of probiotics are good for your digestion because they increase the diversity of the beneficial bacteria in your gut. This “good” bacteria can be killed off in various ways, including having to take antibiotics. However, based on the scientific evidence available now, only certain fermented dairy foods, such as yogurt, have the level of probiotics considered necessary for gut health. It’s still a bit unclear how other fermented foods, such as kimchi, may benefit your gut health.

Keep in mind that if the idea of yogurt or kefir is unappealing to you, there are probiotic supplements available. Should you decide to take them, make sure you are following the storage instructions. Some probiotic supplements need to remain refrigerated to keep the beneficial bacteria at peak numbers for maximum effectiveness.

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But beyond the sneezing-type reactions we all think of first when we hear “allergies,” there are also food allergies. These are certainly no picnic–eat the wrong food and it can lead to serious medical consequences, including death.

Today, there is a treatment aimed at getting rid of a food allergy known as oral immunotherapy. If you or a loved one has a food allergy, this is definitely a treatment you’ll want to know more about!

What is oral immunotherapy?

This type of therapy is considered a preventive treatment for allergies. Under the guidance and supervision of an allergist, you consume very small amounts of whatever food you are allergic to. Generally, because the amount is so small, you have little or no reaction to the amount you are given.

Over time, you receive slightly larger portions of the food you’re allergic to, so your body can build up a tolerance to it over time. At the end of the treatment, the goal is to either no longer react to the food or only have a minor reaction when you consume it.

This type of therapy is now used for a wide variety of allergies, including peanuts, eggs and milk.

The process in a nutshell

The first part of receiving this therapy is getting a food allergy test from an allergist. This way, they will know what foods you react to; people sometimes have food allergies that they are not aware of.

Once your allergies and their severity have been identified by the testing, your allergist will create a plan that is made just for you. Keep in mind that, depending on your allergy, you can have mild reactions during immunotherapy. Some people can also have a more serious reaction known as anaphylaxis, which can lead to death if not treated promptly. This is why it’s important to never try to do this on your own. When you’re in a doctor’s office, they can immediately intervene if you happen to have a more severe reaction.

Food allergies can really make living difficult, especially if you’re allergic to a very common food or food ingredient. If you’re struggling with food allergy and its management, contact an allergist to discuss all your treatment options.

The post What’s The Deal With Oral Immunotherapy? appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

If you’re not sure where your gut stands, check out the signs of an unhealthy gut below.

Your stomach is often upset

Stomach troubles such as heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, bloating and gas can all be warning signs of an unhealthy gut. When your gut is in balance, it will have less trouble processing your food and eliminating waste.

Your diet is high in sugar

Your gut has good bacteria in it that it needs to be healthy, and when you have a high-sugar diet, it can decrease those good bacteria levels. Consuming refined sugars in large amounts–especially high-fructose corn syrup–may also increase inflammation, according to Healthline (https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/sugar-and-inflammation).

You had a sudden weight change

Losing or gaining weight without exercise or diet changes can signal an unhealthy gut. When your gut is not balanced, it can impact how your body absorbs stores fat, regulates blood sugar and absorbs nutrients. Overgrowth of bacteria in the intestine can cause weight loss, and resistance to insulin can cause weight gain, for example.

You’re tired or having sleep trouble

Poor sleep and insomnia can be linked to an imbalanced gut. Serotonin, the hormone that impacts your sleep, is largely produced in the gut. If things aren’t working there as they should, it can disrupt this production and your sleep.

You’ve developed new or worsening skin conditions

Some skin conditions, including eczema, might be linked to a damaged gut. Gut inflammation from food allergies or a poor diet can cause more proteins to leak out into your body, which may irritate the skin.

You have food intolerance

When you have a food intolerance, it means you have trouble digesting some foods. It’s possible, although not known for sure, that a food intolerance could be caused by not having enough good bacteria in the gut.

If you have any of the warning signs above, make some changes today. Improve your diet and work on increasing the good bacteria in your gut by getting probiotics from foods such as yogurt or a supplement. If your digestive troubles persist or get worse, speak to your doctor about what is happening.

The post Is Your Gut Unhealthy? appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

Luckily, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure you and your loved ones have a safe time at a reception, even with food allergies.

Tell the happy couple ahead of time

When you RSVP for the wedding, let the couple know you have a food allergy and what you are allergic to. This way, they know beforehand and can give the caterer a heads up. Do this even if you talk to the bride or groom frequently and they already know about your allergy. There is a lot to keep track of for a wedding, so reminders help!

Talk to the venue

You may be asked by the couple to speak to the venue for specific accommodations depending on your allergy. You should also let the waitstaff at the wedding know in case the message wasn’t passed down. If they can’t tell you for certain what is in the food, they will find the person who can.

Watch food in trays

When food is left in trays for people to take from, there’s always a chance of cross-contamination. Those nut-free cookies you’re eyeing could have peanut dust on them from a guest who had a peanut cookie before touching the nut-free tray. You may want to avoid trays altogether or explain the situation to a server, who may be able to bring you some items from the back.

Have a backup plan

In some rare cases–usually with kids who have food allergies–there is a chance there just won’t be anything safe or appealing to eat. Bring some safe snacks with you just in case this happens so you’re not hungry.

A wedding can be a great time, even if you’re not in the mood for it, and your food allergies should never prevent you from enjoying the celebration for the happy couple. As with other dining experiences, you just need to take the time to talk to the right people and ask the right questions so you can have a safe food experience at the wedding.

The post How To Allergy-Proof Your Wedding Guest Experience appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

Your digestive system has a large impact on your health. Stomach troubles can make eating, sleeping and even daily life difficult. Your immune system also is strongly connected to your gut, with Healthline noting that about 70 percent of that all-important system is housed there (https://www.healthline.com/health/digestive-health/things-your-gut-wants-you-to-know).

While you can’t wave a magic wand and clear your digestive issues, you can try a little “digestive vacation” to help reset and get things back on track. As with any other diet change, however, be sure to check with your doctor before trying this.

Think in advance

Generally, a digestion vacation can last from three to nine days. To make it a success, get all the ingredients you need for your meals so you don’t slip up simply because there is nothing else to eat. The aim will be to have meals of healing foods, ones that are free of foods that are more difficult to digest.

Eat whole foods only

For your vacation, plan meals that have fruits, vegetables, fish, lean meats and other spices and fats that will cleanse and heal. Green vegetables, avocados, chicken, lean white fish, coconuts and their milk, and fresh berries all work.

Drink a ton of water

Exactly how much water you should drink is up for debate. One common rule of thumb is to drink half of your weight in water ounces each day. This means a 170-pound person should drink around 85 ounces a day. During your vacation, try to sneak in an extra cup or two. Hydration is important in general, and a little extra water can help your body flush out toxins.

Keep it relaxed

Your digestion vacation should occur on days when you don’t have anything stressful or unusual going on, such as major events or a large social gathering. Pick a set of days where you can spend your time doing something relaxing, such as napping, reading, walking and yoga. This will help keep your stress hormone levels low, which can encourage digestion and help you on your way to a healthier gut.

The post Ever Take A Digestion Vacation? appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

Try some bitters

Digestive bitters have been used for centuries for better digestion. These tinctures work by stimulating saliva, pepsin, bile and stomach acid production, which helps prime your system to digest and absorb your food. Generally, you’ll want to take the bitters around 15 minutes before you eat, or you can take them after you eat if you’re having indigestion.

Keep it relaxed

When you’re afraid, stressed or worried, you activate your “fight or flight” response, and the nerves involved can slow down your GI motility and secretions, according to Healthline (https://www.healthline.com/health/four-ways-to-improve-your-gut-if-youre-stressed). Under extreme stress, digestion can actually halt completely!

To counteract the effect of stress on your digestion system, use a quiet, relaxing setting to eat your meals. Don’t multitask while eating; instead, focus on your meal. Take some deep breaths before eating, and if you can, try a short mediation before you tuck in.

Limit your drinks during meals

If you drink too much fluid with your meal, you may dilute the stomach acid you need to digest your food properly. To combat this, limit beverages 15 minutes before, during and after eating your meal.

Chew your food

You probably heard this from several adults in your life when you were a kid, but it’s good advice. Chewing is the first step in your digestion, with your saliva containing enzymes that are responsible for breaking down carbs and fats. This kickstarts the digestive process, and these enzymes actually keep working for around 60 minutes, until your stomach acid deactivates them. If you’re not really chewing your food thoroughly, you’re missing out on this important part of the process. Chew your food at 30 times before you swallow it, until it is well broken down. You can even do this with soft foods, like applesauce and soup. Instead of just swallowing it as soon as it enters your mouth, move it around a bit to help activate those enzymes.

Use the tips above for smoother digestive sailing. You may even find that you enjoy your food a lot more!

The post 4 Easy Tips For Better Digestion appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

The animal study in question, published in the Nutrients journal, took a look at how black raspberries may fight the skin inflammation allergies can cause (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352349/). Researchers found that a diet rich in these berries lessened the inflammation caused by contact hypersensitivity, which is an allergic skin condition that causes inflammation, swelling and redness when the skin comes into contact with an allergen or irritant.

Researchers used mice for this study and split them into an intervention group and a control group. Both received the same diet with a notable difference: the intervention group also received the equivalent of one serving of black raspberries for a person.

After a period of three weeks passed, the researchers exposed a single ear on every mouse to an allergen that was known to cause contact hypersensitivity and the typical swelling that results. Over the next three days, they examined the improvement in swelling to see if there was any notable different between the two groups.

The researchers found a significant reduction in swelling in the black-raspberry-eating mice when compared to the control group mice. They concluded that the antioxidants found in black raspberries might help prevent inflammation by acting on the dendritic cells, which are the cells that process antigens and tell the immune system to switch on or off, particularly when it comes to inflammation.

According to the lead researcher on the study, Steven Oghumu, whenever skin is exposed to an allergen, the immune system sends out the cells that activate inflammation and cause swelling, redness and itchiness. Oghumu also noted that instead of trying to combat a skin reaction after it happens with things like steroid creams, you may be able to reduce or control the severity of your allergic response by eating foods rich in antioxidant compounds and anthocyanins, such as black raspberries.

Antioxidant-rich foods are already known for the myriad of benefits they provide your body, and skin allergy protection is just one more to add to the list. If your current diet is lacking in these wonder nutrients, it’s time to make some changes!

The post Black Raspberries For Skin Allergies? Who Knew? appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

Take a walk

When you walk, it improves the movement of gas in your intestinal tact because your body is held in an upright position. This can actually reduce the bloating symptoms you’re experiencing.

Try some yoga

In addition to helping you tone your muscles and improve flexibility, the postures and breathing in your yoga routine can relieve some bloating by stretching the muscles in your stomach and stimulating your digestive system. Generally, the recommended yoga poses for bloating include the forward bend, the child’s pose, the knees-to-chest, the upward-facing dog and the downward-facing dog.

Pass on the fizzy beverages

The bubbles in carbonated drinks can increase the gas in your belly and make your bloating worse. Trade some of your fizzy drinks for water, which also helps constipation–another possible cause of bloating that many people just don’t think of.

Do light exercises

Light exercises can help your body stop retaining intestinal gas, which causes and contributes to bloating. Everything from washing dishes to folding laundry counts as light exercise.

Add probiotics to your diet

A probiotic supplement can help restore the balance between good and bad bacteria in your gut. This can boost your digestive processes overall, reducing your bloat.

Eat more fiber

Both forms of fiber aid your digestive system, which may ease your bloating symptoms. Insoluble fiber, found in things like leafy greens, adds more bulk to your stool so it moves out of your body faster. Soluble fiber, found in nuts, cucumbers and other vegetables and fruits, feeds the good bacteria in your gut, promoting proper digestion. Another fun fact about soluble fiber is that it can make you feel more full, which can lead to some weight loss if you begin to eat less.

If you notice your bloating occurs most often after eating certain foods, you could have a food intolerance that is causing it. Keep a food diary so you can learn what to avoid–essentially, what your bloat triggers are–and take steps to change your diet accordingly.

The post Ban Your Bloat Today appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

Once regarded as very rare, allergies to spices are now seen more commonly. Back in 2012, an American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology annual meeting presentation saw the release of a surprising estimate. Around two to three percent of people around the world has a spice allergy. That’s a small percentage on its face, but it represents more than 100 million people.

Spice allergies may represent around two to three percent of all food allergies, but they often go undiagnosed because there are not a lot of reliable tests for them. As with other food allergies, spice allergies can cause reactions that range from sneezing episodes to anaphylaxis, a life threatening-reaction that can prevent a person from breathing properly. Spices are used in more than just food, so an allergic reaction can also be triggered by the presence of a spice in dental products, toothpastes and cosmetics.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate spices, so they may not always be shown on labels for items that contain them. This can make it difficult for a person to identify which spice they are allergic to and what products may contain it in some way.

Common spice allergies include reactions to garlic, cinnamon, vanilla and black pepper. Some spice blends may contain these spices, among many others, making it more difficult for a person with an allergy to determine what is safe to use or consume.

Any type of cooking could potentially increase or reduce the allergens that produce symptoms in a person with a spice allergy. Generally, if you have had multiple allergic reactions to unrelated foods or tend to have reactions to commercially-prepared foods but not the food you cooked at home, you may have a spice allergy.

If you believe you may have a spice allergy, try to keep a detailed record of what foods seem to trigger a reaction. Take this record to an allergist for help in determining which spice or spices you are allergic to. Your allergist can also provide you with a list of foods and items to avoid once they’ve identified which spice is causing you to have a reaction.

The post Yes, You Can Be Allergic To Spices appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

If you experience heartburn regularly, you may have a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or peptic ulcer disease. I do suggest you visit your doctor if you’re really struggling with heartburn as these conditions can cause other problems and it’s wise to seek medical advice before you begin to experience more troublesome complications and symptoms.

That advice aside, if you’re dealing with occasional heartburn, you don’t have to rely on over-the-counter medications all the time if you don’t want to. There are some natural things you can do to help ease that discomfort when it pops up.

Drink baking soda

Of course, this one is not meant for regular use and it does include sodium, so do not try this if you’re on a restricted-sodium diet. As noted by Very Well Health, baking soda is a natural antacid (https://www.verywellhealth.com/heartburn-treatments-1742754). Dissolve about one teaspoon of the soda into eight ounces of water. Drink the water, and the baking soda will neutralize stomach acid and ease your heartburn.

Try to lose weight

This can be a tall order, but when you’ve overweight, it puts pressure on your stomach and increases your heartburn risk. If your body mass index is over 30, you should consider adding some exercise into your daily routine and changing your diet to help you shed some pounds.

Wear looser clothes

As with extra weight on your frame, tight clothes around your stomach put additional pressure on it, and this can increase your bouts of heartburn. For women, control pantyhose and body shapers can be an overlooked source of this pressure, and for men, belts can contribute.

Don’t lay down right after eating

You should not recline for two or three hours after you eat. This can make it easier for the acid causing the heartburn to rise out of your stomach, since it’s being produced to break down the food you recently ate.

Naturally, you also shouldn’t eat during the three hours before you hit the hay. This will create the same problem as lying down right after you eat does.

Heartburn can be a frustrating thing to deal with, but you can use the easy and natural methods above to help ease that fire in your chest!

The post Bringing The Natural Hammer Down On Heartburn appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

I bet if you don’t have any food allergies right now, you’re thinking you never will. So, what I am about to say might shock you: you can develop food allergies later in life, as an adult. In fact, more older folks are discovering that now than ever before.

As reported by the Guardian, a national US study found that close to just over half of all Americans with food allergies developed those allergies after they turned 18 (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/aug/21/can-adults-develop-food-allergies). The same study uncovered that shellfish was the most commonly seen allergy. The next most common allergen was peanuts, and that was followed by tree nuts such as cashews, pecans and walnuts.

Children, when suffering form wheat, milk or egg allergies, have the chance to “grow out” of that reaction as they get older. Interestingly, when an adult develops an allergy to a food, they often have that allergy for the rest of their life.

This large-scale study was led by food allergy researcher Dr. Ruchi Gupta of the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago. She had noticed that during her global medical meetings, it appeared there were increasing reports of adults developing food allergies. Since this was nothing more than anecdotal information, Dr. Gupta and her research team decided to quantify the data. They examined data from over 40,000 adults on food allergies and discovered the foods that were triggering allergies in adults were also the same ones affecting many children across the country.

Once the researchers complied all of the data, Dr. Gupta and her team became interested in the reasons behind this adult allergy development trend. While gathering information from the sample group, researchers asked the participants what they thought was the cause behind their recently-acquired allergies. The answers reported varied, including moving to another country, suffering a viral illness or changing hormone levels. As Dr. Gupta and her team continue their work in this area, they hope these answers will help them understand why children carry some allergies through adulthood and why some adults develop new ones later in life.

I do hope you never develop a new food allergy, but if you suspect you are, be sure to consult with a doctor. What starts out as a mild reaction can develop into a more severe one over time, so you need to be prepared.

The post Yes, Even Adults Can Develop Food Allergies appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

Before you mark bitters off of your cooking adventures list, take some time and learn just what they have to offer.

As noted by the European Journal of Herbal Medicine, bitters have a long history of use in many cultures and are known to treat everything except issues with the urinary tract (cms.herbalgram.org/herbclip/pdfs/020442-258.pdf). These are not necessarily medicinal foods. They are just a necessary part of a healthy diet, providing your body with things it cannot get elsewhere.

The word “bitters” is a catch-all term for secondary plant metabolites that include lactones, monoterpene iridoids, volatile oils, sesquiterpene, iridoids and hydrocarbons, all of which carry a bitter flavor. Mammals and insects tend to avoid bitter flavors. One theory is that animals–including humans–learned to associated a bitter taste with toxicity. Many bitter compounds are poisonous, but when they are consumed in small amounts, they can actually be very beneficial.

Any time you eat something that is bitter, it triggers the release of the gastrin hormone, which supports and boosts your digestive function by stimulating the secretion of the following:

•       Saliva, which is the first step in food digestion
•       Hydrochloric acid, which you need to properly break down food and absorb minerals
•       Pespin, an enzyme that breaks protein into smaller pieces
•       Intrinsic factors necessary for Vitamin B12 absorption

Bitters also trigger the bile flow in your body, which boosts dietary fat digestion and helps prevent waste from accumulating in your liver. Over time, the consumption of small doses of bitters can strengthen your entire digestive system, including your liver, pancreas, gallbladder and stomach.

All bitters should be taken according to directions and in low doses only. Too high a dose of bitters can impair your digestive system and even carry the risk of death. In addition, people with serious ulcerative or erosive gastrointestinal conditions, chronic respiratory congestion, poor blood circulation and depressed metabolism should not taken bitters. They are also contraindicated for pregnant women.

Side effects are rare, but some people may experience headache and muscle aches when they first start taking bitters. If you have any concerns about taking them, speak to your doctor before use.

The post Bring On The Bitters appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

While many people associate food allergies with children, the Centers for Diseases and Control Prevention estimate that around 4 percent of all adults have them (https://acaai.org/allergies/types/food-allergy). Food allergies can start at any age, too, and adults can develop an allergy to a food they’ve eaten for years with no problems.

More than 170 foods have been reported to provoke an allergic reaction, but the most common allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat and fish.

The rise of food allergies overall have been very noticeable in the West, where there is also an increased in Vitamin D deficiency. Because of this potential correlation, researchers have begun to explore whether there is a link between the two.

Vitamin D is known to impact the development of the immune system and support it after birth. This vitamin also plays a role in the regulation of IgE, an antibody found in the body that plays a significant part in an allergic response.

Of course, it’s still not known exactly what role Vitamin D may play in food allergies, but in general, people all over the world are now very deficient in it. A Qassim University professor actually called it an “ignored epidemic” in a paper published in the International Journal of Health Sciences (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3068797/#).

The best way to determine whether you are Vitamin D deficient – and if so, how much more you need – is to get your levels checked twice a year. Have it tested once when your level is likely to be at its lowest, during the middle of winter, and once when it should be at its highest, which is the middle of summer. Once you know what your levels are and what they should be for your age and gender–most people need around 9,600 IUs per day to hit the target blood levels–you can begin increasing the intake in your diet and supplementing. Be sure to get re-tested after you’ve been supplementing to ensure you are now hitting those target levels. If you’re not, adjust your supplementation as necessary.

The post Does Vitamin D Play A Part In Food Allergies? appeared first on Dr Asa Andrew.

With a woody stem and bright flowers, chicory is found in Germany, France and the Netherlands. It contains many vitamins, including C and E, along with zinc, potassium, manganese, iron and calcium, and also the natural polysaccharide inulin. It’s the inulin that may be why chicory is believed to offer digestive health benefits.

One study that was published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that inulin improved the levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/effect-of-inulin-on-the-human-gut-microbiota-stimulation-of-bifidobacterium-adolescentis-and-faecalibacterium-prausnitzii/B5897AC48DE5977ABA96D98D1A52B8A9/core-reader). In that study, 12 volunteers took 10 grams of inulin for 16 days, while a control group did not take any. When the researchers compared the feces from the two groups, they found that the inulin group had a significant boost in the beneficial B. adolescentis bacteria.

Another study in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition found that inulin derived from chicory helped ease constipation, which is a major problem in the US (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09637486.2016.1212819). Volunteers in that study who took the supplement had significantly increased bowel moments when compared to the group that received a placebo.

It’s easy to get more chicory into your daily diet because it’s widely available in many forms. It can be used in your salads or added to your coffee–some people even use it as a coffee substitute because it has a similar taste but does not contain any caffeine. It can also be boiled, with the roots, buds and leaves–known as endive–being eaten like any other vegetable. Since there are many different chicory products available on the market today, do some searching before you decide which forms to try. You may just find you love it in your salad or prefer to add it to your coffee.

Keep in mind that if you are pregnant, currently breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant, you should not consume chicory because it can cause muscle contractions that can stimulate menstruation. If you have any allergy or other concerns about chicory, speak to your doctor before you use it.

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