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Ps8.5
Psyllium Husk Research
Likely helpsHigh safety
45 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Psyllium Husk appears to help in 14 of 19 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2009–2025 with a typical study size of 242 participants.
Based on 45 studies · 21 meta-analyses · 10 RCTs · 23,188 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
14helped1unclear4didn't help· 26 more without graded effect data
30 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
200920172025
1HbA1c 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%).
2Body 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.
4Meta-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.
6Constipation 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.
9Body 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).
10Induction 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.
12Weekly frequency of spontaneous bowel movementsMeta-AnalysisCited 8×n=399 · medium study2022
Among individuals with constipation, there is an overall low certainty of evidence indicating that kiwifruit may increase SBM when compared to placebo or psyllium.
Eltorki M et al. · Canadian journal of gastroenterology & hepatology (2022)
No clear effect
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Seven RCTs, including 399 participants (82% female; mean age: 42 years (SD 14.6)), were included.
Compared with placebo (n = 95), kiwifruit extracts might increase the weekly frequency of SBM (MD: 1.36; 95% CI: -0.44, 3.16) with low certainty of evidence; moreover, it had an uncertain effect on BSS (SMD: 1.54; 95% CI: -1.33, 4.41) with very low certainty of evidence.
Additionally, compared with placebo (n = 119), kiwifruit or its extracts reduced abdominal pain (SMD: -1.44, 95% CI -2.83, -1.66) with moderate certainty of the evidence and improved frequency of straining (SMD: -0.29; 95% CI: -1.03, 0.47).
13Anthropometric and biochemical parameters in NAFLDMeta-AnalysisCited 41×n=242 · medium study2020
More prospective, controlled studies should be conducted to reveal specific details regarding the fiber type, dosage, and duration for optimal intervention.
Stachowska E et al. · Nutrients (2020)
These effects suggest the potential benefits of fiber consumption for NAFLD populations.
More prospective, controlled studies should be conducted to reveal specific details regarding the fiber type, dosage, and duration for optimal intervention.
14Treatment of gastroenterological diseasesSystematic Review2024
Some clear recommendations for the use of phytotherapeutics to treat gastroenterological diseases show their great potential.
Utz S et al. · Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie (2024)
Some clear recommendations for the use of phytotherapeutics to treat gastroenterological diseases show their great potential.
Due to their wide range of effects, phytotherapeutics can be used very well as a complement to conventional medicines in case of complex regulatory disorders.
However, further methodologically well-conducted impact studies would be helpful in order to be able to make further recommendations.Thieme.
16Resolution of ulcersMeta-AnalysisCited 4×n=216 · medium study2020
The majority of patients receiving medical treatment for the management of SRUS experience resolution of their ulcers.
Qari Y et al. · Saudi journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Saudi Gastroenterology Association (2020)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
The pooled effect estimate of treatment efficacy revealed that, of the patients receiving medical treatment, 57% had resolution of their ulcers (PP 0.57; 95% CI; 0.41 to 0.73).
17Systematic ReviewCited 31×n=444 · medium study2018
Considering the short duration of the trials, the lack of trials including newer laxatives and the low quality of some of the included trials, the long-term efficacy and safety of these laxatives are not conclusive.
Alsalimy N et al. · Journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics (2018)
Considering the short duration of the trials, the lack of trials including newer laxatives and the low quality of some of the included trials, the long-term efficacy and safety of these laxatives are not conclusive.
There is a need to conduct more robust RCTs that include newer agents to evaluate long-term outcomes.
Complementary and alternative therapies might be effective for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases; however, given the low number of trials and the heterogeneous methodological quality of trials, further in-depth research is necessary.
Langhorst J et al. · Journal of Crohn's & colitis (2015)
Complementary and alternative therapies might be effective for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases; however, given the low number of trials and the heterogeneous methodological quality of trials, further in-depth research is necessary.