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Ps8.5
Psyllium Husk Research
Likely helps
106 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Psyllium Husk appears to help in 15 of 20 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 1985–2026 with a typical study size of 242 participants.
Based on 106 studies · 31 meta-analyses · 48 RCTs · 28,942 total participants
Confidence
High confidence
What the studies found
15helped1unclear4didn't help· 86 more without graded effect data
InflammationReduced gut inflammation markers · 2-4 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
By the numbers
Pulled from 44 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
67%
across studies
People studied
29k
typical study: 242 people
Strongest designs
79
31 pooled, 48 randomised
Showed benefit
75%
15/20 studies
How long studies ran
1–4 weeks
2
Populations Studied
General population5
Adults3
Type 2 diabetes patients2
Adults with chronic constipation2
Active research area
52 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
198520052026
1faecal incontinence and constipation managementMeta-Analysisn=1,598 · large study2024
There was evidence in favour of some conservative interventions, but these findings need to be confirmed by larger, well-designed controlled trials, which should include evaluation of the acceptability of the intervention to patients and the effect on their quality of life.
Todd CL, Johnson EE, Stewart F, Wallace SA, Bryant A, Woodward S, Norton C. · The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2024)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Conservative interventions may result in a large improvement in faecal incontinence (standardised mean difference (SMD) -1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) -3.47 to -0.23; 3 studies; n = 410; low-certainty evidence).
We interpreted SMD ≥ 0.80 as a large effect.
Physical therapies may result in a moderate improvement in constipation symptoms (SMD -0.62, 95% CI -1.10 to -0.14; 9 studies; n = 431; low-certainty evidence).
2HbA1c reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 26×n=2,685 · very large study2023
Galactomannans were the most effective dietary fiber for reducing the levels of HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol in patients with type 2 diabetes.
Juhász AE et al. · The American journal of clinical nutrition (2023)
Galactomannans had the highest effect on reducing the levels of HbA1c (SUCRA: 92.33%) and fasting blood glucose (SUCRA: 85.92%).
With regard to fasting insulin level, HOMA-IR, β-glucans (SUCRA: 73.45%), and psyllium (SUCRA: 96.67%) were the most effective interventions.
Galactomannans were ranked first in reducing the levels of triglycerides (SUCRA: 82.77%) and LDL cholesterol (SUCRA: 86.56%).
3Body weight reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 11×n=6,171 · very large study2023
We conducted random-effects network meta-analysis with a Frequentist framework to estimate mean difference [MD] and 95% confidence interval [CI] of the effect of nutraceuticals on weight loss.
Shahinfar H et al. · Pharmacological research (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
We conducted random-effects network meta-analysis with a Frequentist framework to estimate mean difference [MD] and 95% confidence interval [CI] of the effect of nutraceuticals on weight loss.
Supplementations with green tea (MD: -1.25 kg, 95%CI: -1.68, -0.82) and glucomannan (MD: -1.36 kg, 95%CI: -2.17, -0.54) demonstrated small weight loss, also the certainty of evidence was rated low.
Based on our findings, supplementations with nutraceuticals can result in a small weight loss in adults with overweight or obesity.
5Meta-AnalysisCited 1×n=2,769 · very large study2024
Analysis used a random effects model to determine weighted mean difference and 95% confidence intervals.
Zhu R et al. · Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) (2024)
Analysis used a random effects model to determine weighted mean difference and 95% confidence intervals.
Compared with the control group, Plantago consumption significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC) by 0.28 mmol/L and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 0.35 mmol/L, correlating to an estimated 7% decrease in cardiovascular event risk.
Additionally, TC and LDL-C were significantly lower in participants consuming Plantago husk or psyllium, and soluble fiber intake was specifically effective in lowering TC, LDL-C, and triglycerides.
7Constipation treatment responseMeta-AnalysisCited 66×n=1,251 · large study2022
Fiber supplementation is effective at improving constipation.
van der Schoot A et al. · The American journal of clinical nutrition (2022)
Large harm
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
Overall, 311 of 473 (66%) participants responded to fiber treatment and 134 of 329 (41%) responded to control treatment [RR: 1.48 (95% CI: 1.17, 1.88; P = 0.001); I2 = 57% (P = 0.007)], with psyllium and pectin having significant effects.
Fiber increased stool frequency [SMD: 0.72 (95% CI: 0.36, 1.08; P = 0.0001); I2 = 86% (P < 0.00001)]; psyllium and pectin had significant effects, and improvement was apparent only with higher fiber doses and greater treatment durations (≥4 weeks).
Fiber improved stool consistency (SMD: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.18, 0.46; P < 0.0001), particularly with higher fiber doses.
18Body weight changeMeta-Analysisn=27 · very small study2025
In summary, this study found that psyllium significantly increased body weight.
Gholami Z et al. · Journal of health, population, and nutrition (2025)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Borderline
The findings indicate that psyllium significantly increased body weight, with a WMD of 3.57 (95% confidence intervals: 1.43, 5.72; p-value < 0.05).
However, there was a non-significant decrease in BMI, with a WMD of -0.06 (95% confidence intervals: -0.68, 0.55; p-value > 0.05), and a non-significant decrease in WHR, with a WMD of -0.10 (95% confidence intervals: -0.34, 0.12; p-value > 0.05).
Additionally, there was a non-significant increase in WC, with a WMD of 0.72 (95% confidence intervals: -0.93, 2.37; p-value > 0.05).
19Induction and maintenance of remission in inflammatory bowel diseaseMeta-AnalysisCited 18×2025
Prebiotics, particularly FOS and germinated barley foodstuff, show potential as effective and safe dietary supplements for induction and maintenance of remission in UC, respectively.
Limketkai BN et al. · Inflammatory bowel diseases (2025)
Huge harm
← WorseNo effectBetter →
For induction of clinical remission in ulcerative colitis (UC), the fructooligosaccharide (FOS) kestose was effective (relative risk, 2.75, 95% confidence interval, 1.05-7.20; n = 40), but oligofructose-enriched inulin (OF-IN) and lactulose were not.
For maintenance of remission in UC, germinated barley foodstuff trended toward preventing clinical relapse (relative risk, 0.40; 95% confidence interval, 0.15-1.03; n = 59), but OF-IN, oat bran, and Plantago ovata did not.
Prebiotics, particularly FOS and germinated barley foodstuff, show potential as effective and safe dietary supplements for induction and maintenance of remission in UC, respectively.