It’s another beautiful day to find out the different health benefits of psyllium husk.
If you’re unfamiliar with it, it’s also called Psyllium, Ispaghula, and Isabgol. Psyllium is just the common term for several plants in the group of Plantago genus.
Here is my list of the health benefits of psyllium husk.
1. Psyllium Husk Is Good For Your Heart
Having high cholesterol levels can be a marker that you may be at risk of having heart disease.
Regular consumption of psyllium husk can help you deal with your cholesterol levels because it is highly rich in soluble fiber.
A high fiber and a low-fat diet are recommended for improving conditions in many heart diseases.
High blood pressure or hypertension can also be bad for your heart.
Some studies show a relationship between a high fiber diet and lower blood pressure levels.
2. Helps Ease Hemorrhoids
Consuming psyllium husk may help you relieve hemorrhoids or piles.
It has high fiber content that can soften your stool.
This promotes smoother and less painful bowel movements.
3. Psyllium Husk Helps You Lose Weight
What’s good about foods like psyllium husks that are rich in fiber is that it can make you feel fuller with lesser calorie intake.
This prevents you from eating too much that can prevent you from losing weight.
4. Improves Digestion
This particular health benefit of psyllium husk can also be attributed to its high presence of fiber.
Not only does it help with the digestion of your food, but it also helps the regular movement of undigested food out of your body.
Because of the effect mentioned above, it can prevent or treat constipation and diarrhea.
5. Psyllium Husk Helps Detoxify Your Body
Because psyllium husk has a laxative effect, it stimulates the release of waste out of your body.
Regular bowel movements help in removing toxins and waste out of your body.
6. May Help The Formation Of Gallstones
Gallstones are stone formations within your gallbladder.
Complications of gallstones may lead to different kinds of diseases like cholecystitis, pancreatitis, and cholangitis.
It’s said that one way of preventing gallstones to form is to have a diet that’s high in fiber.
This is where psyllium husk comes in to help since it’s very rich in fiber.
7. Psyllium Husk May Help Reduce Blood Pressure Levels
According to this published research, “Dietary protein and soluble fiber reduce ambulatory blood pressure in treated hypertensives,” consuming protein and soluble fiber can help control blood pressure levels.
It’s been observed that it can reduce your systolic pressure.
However, more studies should still be done to say that its effects are significant and conclusive.
8. May Help Manage Blood Sugar Levels
Psyllium husk can be helpful to people who have diabetes or are concerned with their blood sugar levels.
This husk can expand and transform into a gel when mixed with liquid or water. This can slow down the absorption of sugar in your body when you digest food.
Some studies show improved blood glucose control from consuming foods rich in soluble fiber.
9. Psyllium Husk Is Considered To Be Prebiotic
Psyllium husk is prebiotic.
This means that stimulate the growth of good bacteria in your gut.
In turn, it can lead to better digestion and improved immune system.
If you’re looking for more foods that can boost your immune system, you should check my article about echinacea.
I also have an article about the health benefits of echinacea here.
10. Helps Reduce Cholesterol Levels
Psyllium is considered to be a lipid-lowering agent. This means that it can treat high levels of fats like cholesterol in your blood.
The linoleic acid and soluble fiber in this plant improve the production of bile acid that can lower cholesterol.
At the same time, it also decreases the absorption of cholesterol into your body.
Conclusion
Psyllium husk is an amazing source of fiber. This is where it gets most of its health benefits.
Just that it’s high in fiber is a good reason for me to consume it. But if I have to pick one on the list of health benefits of psyllium husk, I would choose that it’s good for your heart.
How about you? Which one on the list is your favorite or do you need?
Please make sure to ask first your doctor or medical professional if it’s OK for you to consume psyllium husk.
Also, please share this article with someone who may need to know the health benefits of psyllium husk.
Thank you!