Can you drink too much chicory?

January 9, 2020 5:03 AM

I’ve started drinking chicory instead of coffee and I really like it. Is something funky going to happen to me if I drink a lot of it?

I use two tablespoons in a coffee maker for one cup, several times a day. Can you drink too much of this stuff? Thanks!

posted by dianeF to Food & Drink (6 answers total)

The biggest issue I've heard about with chicory is tummy problems and gas, but you would probably already be seeing those results, if that was the case with you.
posted by backwards compatible at 5:17 AM on January 9, 2020 [3 favorites]

Yeah, from my health food days in the 80s (very big on chicory then), fartiness is what usually happens with too much chicory.
posted by xingcat at 6:27 AM on January 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

You're probably drinking less chicory than many New Orleanians do with their coffee every day, for what that's worth.
posted by asperity at 8:21 AM on January 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

The inulin in chicory will have a laxative effect. The more you drink, the stronger the effect.
posted by pupsocket at 10:47 AM on January 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

Inulin can also cause intense intestinal cramps for some people. Ramp it up slowly to be sure you're not one of them.
posted by sjswitzer at 12:48 PM on January 9, 2020 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thanks, guys. There has been an increase in that type of activity but it’s nothing I can’t handle. Thanks again!
posted by dianeF at 5:53 PM on January 9, 2020