What is Psyllium Husk?

Commonly known as a laxative, psyllium husk is a type of fiber made from the husks of the Plantago ovata plant’s seeds. It absorbs water and becomes a viscous compound that benefits constipation, diarrhea, blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight loss. Similarly to other soluble fibers, psyllium passes through the small intestine without being completely broken down or absorbed and is beneficial to many parts of the human body, including the heart and the pancreas. People usually take psyllium as a dietary supplement in the form of husk, granules, capsules, or powder.

Psyllium Husk Health Benefits

Digestive Health: Psyllium is a prebiotic, meaning its a substance needed for healthy colonies of probiotics to grow in the gut. A healthy colony of good bacteria in the digestive system is essential for healthy immune function. Your body is better able to fight infection, reduce inflammation, and maintain healthy tissue and cells.

Heart Health: Psyllium husk taken as part of a healthy diet, can help lower a person’s risk of heart disease. Psyllium can affect your heart by lowering blood pressure, improving lipid levels, and strengthening the heart muscle.

Maintaining a healthy weight: Psyllium helps absorb liquid in your body, which helps give you a feeling of being full. This can help you control the amount of food you eat and allow you to maintain a healthy weight in the long run.

Can help manage diabetes: People with diabetes have to be mindful of their diet to maintain a healthy balance of insulin and blood sugar levels. Psyllium helps people in maintaining a healthy glycemic balance.

Conclusion

Ultimately psyllium husk is an essential supplement we can all benefit from. Our body needs fiber in order to maintain a healthy gut, heart health, maintain a healthy weight and manage diabetes. People looking to maintain a healthy weight with diabetes can especially benefit from psyllium as it helps maintain a healthy glycemic balance. Also, those looking to regulate their blood pressure and strengthen their heart muscles can highly benefit from psyllium. In addition, by decreasing high blood pressure the chances of heart disease are also greatly reduced. Especially in times like we find ourselves in now where our overall health is of the importance, psyllium husk is an important staple to anyone’s overall diet!