How do the bitter compounds in chicory vegetables like endive traditionally aid digestion?
Answer
Stimulating the production and flow of bile from the liver
Traditionally, the noticeable bitter flavor characteristic of endive and other chicory vegetables is associated with a physiological response related to fat digestion. The presence of these bitter compounds is believed to stimulate the liver. This stimulation encourages both the production and the subsequent flow of bile, a substance crucial for the effective emulsification and digestion of dietary fats. Enhanced bile flow also supports the body's inherent processes for natural detoxification.
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