How Psyllium Husk Can Improve Your Gut
Fiber is one of the most important yet overlooked nutrients that humans and animals both need daily. The USDA recommends consuming 28 grams of fiber a day. However, most Americans seem to suffer from getting an adequate intake of fiber in their diets. With the influx of processed and fast foods, Americans are moving farther and farther from natural foods that provide the necessary fiber to sustain our bodies.
Luckily, if someone is struggling with fiber intake there are remedies to solve that. With a lot of research behind it and its surprising affordability, psyllium husk might just be the next best thing to heal your gut. Here are a few reasons why psyllium husk can provide amazing benefits in improving your gut health, weight loss, and much more.
What Is Psyllium Husk?
Psyllium Husk is a supplement comprised of soluble fiber; it is made from seed coverings of a plant called Plantago ovata. Native to India, each plant can yield up to 15,000 seeds which are pulverized into a fiber powder that is composed of 100% fiber. Psyllium husk has been used for centuries as a form of traditional medicine, with modern research also supporting its benefits.
Aside from a complete, whole-food diet, psyllium husk is one of the easiest methods to get your daily dietary fiber as it can be consumed as both a powder and in a capsule. And is often used in combination with several types of flour, to add more fiber to common baked goods, such as bread, pastries, and pasta.
So, What Are The Benefits?
Between strengthening the gut biome and supporting weight loss, psyllium husk has a few important benefits. All of which can improve the daily health of those who seek a more nutritious and wholesome lifestyle.
Psyllium Husk And Your Gut Biome
If you’ve ever used psyllium husk you know that when mixed with water, it turns into a viscous gel. The consistency of the psyllium-water mixture provides ease of motion, as food travels down the digestive tract. It is almost like a lint roller gathering all unused elements and debris from your intestines while keeping your digestive system happy.
Psyllium husk can also function as a prebiotic, providing the gut with nutrients needed to support the friendly tiny microbes that help your gut remain balanced. Having a balanced gut is essential, as an imbalance can lead to less mental focus, weight gain, and out-of-whack hormone levels. So, if you feel any of these symptoms, check in with your doctor and see if you need to supplement some fiber into your diet. Also, ask if they suggest psyllium husk.
Psyllium Husk For Weight Loss
Psyllium husk is a soluble fiber that is entirely indigestible, which means that it does not provide any calories that can be used by the human body for energy or as nutrients for our cells. Its solubility with water helps form a gel-like substance, which means that the body can take more time to absorb the necessary nutrients and in turn provide an individual with a feeling of fullness that lasts longer.
Eating the suggested amount of fiber is the best way to remain full on less food, that’s why most diet foods consist of legumes, fruits, whole grains, and vegetables. It aids in losing weight without the dreaded feeling of consistent hunger, which presents the need for snacking or straying from one’s diet. Psyllium husk for the win.
Ways To Incorporate Psyllium Husk Into Your Diet
Because of its gel-like consistency when mixed with water, psyllium husk can often be used in combination with most flour and gluten-free flour alternatives. In fact, due to the mixture’s viscosity, it is a perfect replacement as you will not miss out on the binding abilities that you would usually get from gluten in homemade recipes.
Even if you are okay with gluten, psyllium husk is tasteless, so including it in your normal baked-good recipes can result in a greater daily fiber intake. Some ways you can incorporate psyllium husk into your baked goods is in bread, pizza doughs, pancakes, or even cookies.
Final Thoughts
With its vast benefit to your gut microbiome and its boost in weight loss, free from the icky feeling of hunger, psyllium husk is a healthy alternative to your daily fiber needs. It can be taken as a direct supplement, in capsule or powder form, or as an additive to a vast majority of baked goods.
Whichever way you wish to use it, psyllium husk is worth adding to your diet. It’s a great item to keep stocked in your home anytime you feel like you’re missing fiber in your diet or you want to give your gut a boost.