Big Food - Psyllium Husk Fiber - 800 g

What is Big Food psyllium husk fibre?

Psyllium is an impactful and highly beneficial source of dietary fibre (arabinoxylan) derived from the Plantago Ovata, a native plant of Asia, Africa and Mediterranean regions of Europe (Source: NCBI).

Our high-quality product is sourced from the husks of the plant seedlings

Psyllium is a widely popular supplement which stems initially from its use as a dietary laxative (Source: NCBI). It is known as a soluble (or viscous) fibre which refers to the ability to dissolve in water, forming a gel-like substance. This gel resides in the gut and adds water to the stool, enhancing defecation (pooping HeHe) and provides a host of additional benefits.

Key health aspects of psyllium husk fibre

Soluble fibre

There are two primary classifications of fibre - soluble and insoluble. More recently, it has been recommended that these names are changed to viscous and non-viscous. The labels simply refer to the fibre’s ability to dissolve in water, and both types play important roles in the diet

Soluble fibre can draw water in the colon, which can help to soften the stool acting as a natural laxative.

It is recommended that we consume at least 3-4 grams of soluble fibre each day, with a total fibre intake of 25-30 grams. 1-2 teaspoons of our natural psyllium will provide you with your total daily soluble needs!

Why is fibre important?

This is a section that highlights the key benefits of fibre in general, not specifically psyllium. However, our psyllium husk can help you to achieve your daily fibre (and soluble fibre) goals, and thus reap the benefits of doing so. Some of the potential health benefits of increasing fibre in your diet are -

• Supports digestive health
• Helps regulate appetite
• May reduce LDL-cholesterol (the bad kind)
• May aid weight loss (through appetite and reduced absorption)
• keto-friendly

What is soluble fibre?

Our psyllium husk fibre is a uniquely rich source of soluble fibre. Although in recent years, researchers are using the labels viscous and nonviscous instead of soluble and insoluble, we will use that latter labels for simplicity. Soluble fibre is the portion of fibre that can dissolve in water and is said to be viscous.

The most well-studied benefit of soluble fibre is its potential as a natural laxative. Soluble (or viscous) fibre draws water into the colon, which can increase the bulk to as well as soften the stool. While most fibres are fermentable in the colon by our gut bacteria, a component of soluble fibre is not (Source: NCBI). In one study, this was the crucial factor that improved the lubrication, bulk and moisture of stools among 15 participants that supplemented psyllium husk for seven-days compared to other fibre supplements (Source: NCBI).

Increasing soluble fibre intake is known to help suppress the appetite, especially after meals (Source: NCBI). This type of fibre draws water into the colon, which stimulates stretch receptors more dramatically. When these are stimulated they cause us to feel more full and satiated. In one study, a healthy dose of psyllium before and after a meal resulted in greater fullness when compared to a placebo group (Source: NCBI).

Soluble fibre, usually in the form of psyllium, has become a widely-studied supplement for the potential reducing-effect it may have on LDL-cholesterol. When there are consistently high levels of LDL-cholesterol in the blood, risk of cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions increases. Soluble fibre has been shown to bind to bile acids, and drag them down (to the toilet) with them (Source: Examine.com). To make up these bile acids that we have lost, our body needs to use cholesterol, which may in turn lower our circulating levels (Source: NCBI). In one study of 20 men with high cholesterol, supplementing for 40 days with psyllium led to marked reductions in LDL-cholesterol, compared to a placebo (Source: JLR.org).