Have you heard of chicory root? Chances are, if you eat keto and low-carb food products, you’re consuming chicory root on a semi-regular basis. Chicory root stems from the dandelion family and often used as a coffee substitute due to its bitter, woody, and nutty coffee-like flavor. Because chicory root is low in carbs, it’s also frequently used in keto snacks, bars, breads, and cereals, and can even be used as a nutritional supplement. 

The Benefits of Chicory Root 

Inulin, which is extracted from chicory root, has been known to naturally fuel our gut, and enables them to produce fatty acids that help reduce risk of inflammatory diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and more. Inulin is the same type of fiber that is found in bananas and Jerusalem artichokes, but when extracted from chicory root, it contains way less carbohydrates - aka a ketogenic dream. Because inulin is not digestible and can be used as a replacement for dietary fat or sugar, it’s often used in lower-calorie and lower-carb food items. 

The Potential Negative Effects of Chicory Root

You must be wondering, how can chicory root be bad for you? The claimed dangers of chicory root mainly center around gut and stomach pain - a contradictory statement from health experts that claim it’s beneficial for digestion. While chicory root is often said to help with inflammatory diseases, there are arguments from nutritionists, doctors, and consumers that say it does quite the opposite.

Chicory root is typically added to ketogenic foods such as bars and cereals to increase the fiber content. Because it is processed and it breaks down quickly compared to other fibers, it may trigger symptoms such as gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and gut rumbling. Chicory root fiber consumption can often be hard to manage because it’s found in processed snacks - items that people often don’t realize are high in fiber, (compared to overtly fibrous foods, such as legumes or veggies). It’s then over-consumed. Chicory root isn’t great for anybody, but those that have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or have sensitive stomachs, may be especially prone to negative effects.

Only Clean Ingredients in Our Keto Ice Cream

At Mammoth Creameries, we pride ourselves in sourcing whole, organic ingredients — which is why we've chosen to exclude chicory root from our frozen custard. With ingredients like grass-fed butter, pure vanilla extract, and high-quality heavy cream, we understand that many people turn to our ice cream because they have food sensitivities(...and because  it tastes amazing! Our goal is to make sure we’re including pure ingredients that don’t cause bloating and stomach pain, so chicory root isn’t going to make the cut with us. After all, ice cream consumption should be enjoyable!

For more information on how to order our healthy, ketogenic ice cream, or to find the closest Mammoth carrier near you, head to our website.