Chicory Root
Overview
Chicory provides high inulin content and can be used as a coffee substitute, supporting gut microbiome diversity. Prebiotic fibres including inulin (chicory, onions) support Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia; ↑ butyrate production; improved gut barrier.
Nutritional Table (per 100 g)
Core nutrition
| Nutrient | Amount per 100 g | % RDA per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 23 kcal | — |
| Protein | 1.7 g | — |
| Total fat | 0.3 g | — |
| Saturated fat | 0.1 g | — |
| Carbohydrates | 4.7 g | — |
| Fibre | 4 g | — |
Key micronutrients
| Nutrient | Amount per 100 g | % RDA per 100 g |
|---|---|---|
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% |
| Zinc | 0.4 mg | 3.8% |
| Magnesium | 30 mg | 7.1% |
| Selenium | 0.3 µg | 0.5% |
| Calcium | 100 mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 420 mg | 12.4% |
| Choline | 12.8 mg | 2.3% |
| Folate | 110 µg | 27.5% |
| Vitamin B12 | 0 µg | 0% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.1 mg | 6.2% |
Bioactive compounds
Values below are often from specialist compositional databases or literature, not the standard USDA panel. Asterisks (*) refer to source notes at the bottom of this section.
| Compound / class | Amount per 100 g | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ALA | 41 mg | — |
| EPA | 0 mg | — |
| DHA | 0 mg | — |
Note: Bioactive-compound values vary substantially by cultivar, species, cocoa or oil percentage, processing, and brand formulation. Show quantitative values only where a defensible source exists; otherwise prefer qualitative presence statements or ranges in source notes.
Recipes
Food Context
Synergies
- Part of diverse prebiotic fiber strategy
Preparation
- Can be consumed as root vegetable or coffee substitute
- High inulin content
- Supports Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia
Substances
Substances in this food: editorial (Overview / literature) plus analytical (nutrition table).
10 substances in this food
Iron
Oxygen transport; dopamine synthesis (tyrosine hydroxylase cofactor)
Zinc
Cofactor in neurotransmission and antioxidant enzymes; dopamine modulation
Magnesium
Enzymatic cofactor (>300 reactions); neurotransmitters; mitochondria; redox balance
Selenium
Antioxidant enzyme cofactor (GPx); supports redox balance
Calcium
Bone health; neurotransmission; interacts with vitamin D and K2
Potassium
Electrolyte for nerve transmission, muscle function, and blood pressure regulation
Choline
Acetylcholine precursor; methyl donor; phospholipid synthesis for membranes
Vitamin B9 (Folate; 5-MTHF)
One-carbon metabolism; methylation; homocysteine recycling
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine → PLP)
PLP cofactor for neurotransmitter synthesis; relies on brain PDXK activation
ALA (Alpha-Linolenic Acid)
Essential omega-3 precursor; limited conversion to DHA/EPA
References
- Prebiotic Fibres: Inulin (chicory, onions), GOS (legumes), resistant starch (cooled potatoes, green bananas), pectin (apples)
- Chicory root: Coffee substitute, high inulin
- Inulin (chicory, onions) supports Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia; ↑ butyrate production; improved gut barrier