About Chicory
Chicory (Cichorium intybus) has limited but positive clinical evidence for liver support. A 2023 meta-analysis of 5 RCTs (197 NAFLD patients) found significant reductions in liver enzymes AST (-7 U/L) and ALT (-17.5 U/L). A separate RCT in burn patients showed prevention of liver enzyme elevation. Also a natural source of inulin (prebiotic fiber), though the liver benefits appear independent of inulin content. Small sample sizes across studies.
What Chicory supports
- May reduce liver enzymes in NAFLD (meta-analysis of 5 RCTs)
- Natural source of prebiotic inulin fiber
How much Chicory to take
The RDA prevents deficiency. The effective range is what clinical trials used to actually move the outcome.
Effective
1000–3000
mg
Root extract doses from RCTs. Also used as chicory seed syrup in some studies.
Clinical evidence
Limited clinical evidence. Meta-analysis of 5 small trials (197 patients) showed reduced liver enzymes in fatty liver disease
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