Endive, commonly popular as escarole, is a green leafy vegetables with a hint of bitter flavour. However, this well-known salad plant is much more than just a leafy green. Escarole is packed with numerous health benefiting plant nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin A etc.
Botanically this perennial herbaceous leafy plant belongs to the Asteraceae (daisy) family, of the genus Cichorium and is closely related to chicory, radicchio and Belgian endive (witloof). Its scientific name: Cichorium endivia.
Endive is native to Asia Minor region. This cool season crop requires well-drained fertile soil to flourish. There are two main cultivar varieties exist: curly (Frisee) endive (cichorium endivia var crispum) with curly narrow leaves and Escarole or scarole (cichorium endivia var latifolia) with broad leaves. Escarole leaves have spine like-dentate margins (dandelion or lettuce like) with thick stalks. Its leaves are less bitter when compare to narrow, curly, intensely bitter leaves of "frisee".

Belgian endive or witloof is a popular winter season vegetable in Europe. It is a type of vegetable with smooth cream-colored leaves compressed into a compact 10 to 12 cm long heads.

Also known as blue daisy, blue dandelion, blue sailors, blue weed, bunk, coffee weed, cornflower, hendibeh, horseweed, ragged sailors, succory, wild bachelor’s buttons, and wild endive, Chicory is somewhat woody, herbaceous plant belongs to the sunflower and daisy family called Asteraceae, close cousins to lettuce and dandelions. Its scientific name is Cichorium intybus and is native to Europe, India, and Egypt, but it has now established into the Americas and can be found extensively there. Daliva, Flash, Zoom,Rossa di Treviso, Rossa di Verona, Giulio Firebird  are some popular varieties of Chicory which are grown worldwide for its leaves, buds and roots.

Health benefits

Endive is a very low calorie leafy vegetable. 100 g fresh leaves provide just 17 calories but contribute about 8% of RDA of fibre.  

Current research studies suggest that high inulin and fibre content in escarole helps reduce high glucose and LDL cholesterol levels in diabetes and obese patients.

Endive is enriched with good amount Vitamin A and beta-carotenes. Both of these compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Carotenes convert to vitamin A in the body. Also, vitamin A is required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. In addition, it is also essential vitamin for vision. Consumption of natural vegetables/greens rich in vitamin A helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.

It contains good amounts of many essential B-complex groups of vitamins such as folic acid, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and thiamin (vitamin B1), niacin (B3). These vitamins are essential in the sense that body requires them from external sources to replenish and required for fat, protein and carbohydrates metabolism.

Escarole also good source of minerals like manganese, copper, iron, and potassium. Manganese is used as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase. Potassium is an important intracellular electrolyte helps counter the hypertension effects of sodium.

Digestive Issues: One of the most common reasons for adding chicory to a diet is to improve various functions of the digestive system. Chicory contains, inulin, which is a powerful probiotic. Probiotics are a classification of bacteria that actually confer benefits on the host, rather than diseases, which is what bacteria is commonly associated with.  Inulin is used to combat a number of intestinal and digestive concerns, including acid reflux disease, indigestion, and heartburn because it actively reduces the acidity of the body’s systems.

Heart Disease: Inulin is not only beneficial for the digestive system, it has also been shown to reduce the levels of “bad” cholesterol in the body. This LDL cholesterol is one of the main causes behind atherosclerosis and high blood pressure, because it somewhat blocks the flow of blood when it binds to arteries and veins. It can also contribute to the possibility of heart attacks and strokes. Interestingly enough, the chemical pathway that inulin functions in to reduce the presence of LDL cholesterol is rarely active unless a person consumes a high level of carbohydrates, so this benefit has s slightly smaller range of affect. However, more research is currently being done on how chicory can help heart health in other ways.

Chicory is also packed with plant phenols, which have been widely studied as anti-thrombotic and anti-arrhythmic agents. They are considered antioxidants, and studies have shown that chicory-based coffee rather than normal coffee can significantly improve the balance of blood and plasma in the body, which reduces chances of cardiovascular disease.

Cancer Prevention: Although research is still ongoing in terms of the exact mechanism of prevention, chicory extract has been linked to a reduction in tumour growth in various cancer studies. Early reports indicate that it is due to the fructans within chicory, which have anti-tumour qualities and antioxidant properties. The polyphenols and phytochemicals within chicory also have a positive effect on preventing cancer of various types, including breast cancer and colorectal cancer.

Reduce Arthritis Pain: Chicory has traditionally been used as a treatment for arthritis, and studies have shown chicory to have significant anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it works to reduce the pain from conditions like osteoarthritis. In a 2010 study, 70% of test subjects who received the chicory treatment reported a noticeable improvement in the pain associated with their osteoarthritic condition. Chicory can also be used as a general anti-inflammatory agent for aches, muscle pains, and joint soreness for this same reason.

Weight Loss: Chicory is a good source of oligo fructose, and inulin itself is a form of natural dietary fibre, and these help in the management of weight and attempts at weight loss. These both aid in the regulation of ghrelin, which is an amino acid primarily associated with feelings of hunger and food-seeking behaviour. By reducing the amount of the ghrelin hormone, chicory can reduce the chances of overeating and promote satiety, or the feeling of fullness. This can help in weight loss efforts!

Constipation: Once again, inulin’s role as a natural fibre comes as a major benefit to chicory eaters! The fibre helps to bulk up bowel movements, promote peristaltic motions, and the secretion of gastric juices. Basically, that means that digestion as a whole is improved, and constipation is greatly reduced. By maintaining a smooth and regulated digestive process, people can reduce the chances of a number of gastrointestinal conditions and diseases, including stomach and colon cancer!

Immune System: Chicory has a number of helpful qualities that make it a powerful booster for your immune system. It displays clear antibacterial effects on a number of dangerous strains of bacteria, and we have already mentioned the benefits of the polyphenolic compounds in chicory in terms of the immune system. There are also phytochemicals in chicory that act as antioxidants, further sweeping out free radicals from the blood stream, which reduces the chances of contracting a number of diseases or conditions, including heart disease and cancer.

Anxiety and Stress: Chicory has sedative qualities that can reduce anxiety and soothe the mind, thereby relieving stress and the dangerous effects it can have on the body. Chicory root extract can also be used as a sleep aid due to this sedative quality, and is much healthier than many of the sleeping pills on the conventional market. relieving stress and anxiety can also help reduce your chances of heart disease, hormonal imbalance, insomnia, cognitive decline, and premature aging.

Kidney Health: Chicory root extract is often used as a diuretic, which increases the amount of urination. Consistent and healthy frequency of urination can help to eliminate toxins that the body stores in the liver and kidneys, and preventing the dangerous conditions that can occur when toxins are allowed to remain in the body. Also, frequent urination can eliminate excess water weight, and even reduce fat, since 4% of urine is usually fat deposits that would otherwise be stored somewhere else in the body!