9 Incredible Health Benefits of Blond Psyllium
Although its name could make you think of an ingredient found in a shampoo or a mysterious chemical, it is not: it is a plant that can be added to our diet!
Blond psyllium is a millennia-old plant found in the regions between India, Pakistan, and Iran. If its origin remains unclear, one thing is certain: the blond psyllium, which is sometimes also known as ispaghul, isabgol, or Indian psyllium, contains many benefits for the body.
Used in Ayurvedic medicine for its power against constipation and by the Egyptian people for its action on intestinal transit in general, only recently has blond psyllium begun to make a name for itself in our country. Its recognition by the European and American public was evident in the late 1990s when the US Food and Drug Administration recognized some of its health benefits. The Kellogg brand has incorporated it into some of its cereals while showing its benefits on their packaging, sharing them with thousands of consumers.
What are the benefits of blond psyllium?
The benefits of blond psyllium are found in its tiny seeds, and more particularly, in their husks. It contains a good amount of fiber and mucilage, a vegetable substance that swells and takes the form of a viscous paste when wet.
These components are very beneficial to our gut, but that’s not all. Here are the main virtues of this plant.
1. It fights against constipation
This is one of the best-known benefits of blond psyllium. It retains the water contained in the stool, which helps improve and accelerate transit.
It is considered one of the best laxatives because it has no damaging effect on the mucosa. It eliminates constipation, without causing side effects such as bloating. In addition, it also has a calming effect, which is useful especially if your intestines are irritated due to constipation. It is also part of the category of ballast laxatives, which are known to be gentler on the body.
Blond psyllium is generally recommended for chronic constipation. It is also recommended in cases of haemorrhoids or painful situations, especially after surgery.
Note: it takes about two days before the blond psyllium takes effect.
2. It helps fight diarrhoea
As surprising as it may seem, blond psyllium is also useful in the opposite situation: in case of diarrhoea.
Indeed, absorbing water in the stool, makes the stool more consistent.
3. It participates in healing haemorrhoids
Since it improves stool consistency, blond psyllium also has a positive effect if you have haemorrhoids. Not only does it help reduce the pain and bleeding caused by haemorrhoids; it also helps to speed up their healing.
4. It prevents and heals inflammations of the intestine
The exceptional number of fibers it contains helps to improve the composition of the intestinal flora, which also restores the health of the intestine. The fibers clean the walls of the intestine while getting rid of toxins.
This allows, among other things, the reduction of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. However, blond psyllium does not reduce the pain that results.
In addition, by acting on the intestinal flora, psyllium also takes the role of probiotic.
5. It helps to lose weight
On the one hand, blond psyllium acts as an appetite suppressant. By absorbing water from our intestines, it can swell dramatically and, thus, cause a feeling of satiety. To avoid eating too much, you can add it to your dish, or even mix it in a glass of water to drink an hour before eating.
On the other hand, it has the advantage of not being absorbed by the body and it helps to reduce the ingestion of fats and sugars in the body.
By combining it with a healthy diet, it could be your new slimming ally!
6. It reduces cholesterol
Again thanks to the fibers it contains, psyllium helps to significantly reduce the absorption of cholesterol by the body. But that’s not all: it promotes the secretion of bile acids, which also reduce the absorption of cholesterol.
Thus, it is recommended for people suffering from hypercholesterolemia. Note, however, that its effects would be almost non-existent in people with normal cholesterol levels.
7. It helps fight against diabetes
Thanks to its action on food ingested by the intestine, it reduces the glycemic index of meals. In addition, it helps to normalize the level of lipids in the blood.
It would be particularly effective for people with type 2 diabetes. Note, however, that it is important to consult your doctor before you start using blonde psyllium for your diabetes.
8. It prevents certain cardiovascular diseases
Some studies have demonstrated the effects of blond psyllium on hypertension. By consuming a certain dose three times a day, it would help to lower blood pressure. This is specifically the case in patients with hypertension or in overweight people.
9. It would stop the development of cancerous colitis
The positive impact of blond psyllium against cancerous colitis is particularly observed in patients in remission. A daily intake can hinder the development of colitis and reduce its symptoms, or even prolong the remission in the same way as a more traditional treatment.
However, studies on the subject are still in infancy. Further studies should, therefore, be conducted to confirm these effects.
How to consume it?
The blond psyllium is not assimilated by our body. It is therefore not considered a food and is not included in the recommended daily doses. Also, if you had never heard of it before, no doubt you have questions about how to consume it.
Note first of all, that it should not be confused with black psyllium, which is found in particular in Provence and which does not offer as much benefit to the body as blond psyllium.
Although it can also be found in seed form in some stores, psyllium is usually sold in powder form. This is easier to use than the seeds, which must be mixed with water and soaked for several hours before they can be eaten.
The powder is sometimes used as a thickener or stabilizer by the food industry, which includes it in pastries, ice cream, or gluten-free bread. But if you want to enjoy its benefits on a daily basis, the most common way to consume Psyllium Blond Powder is to drink it after diluting it in a glass of water or juice. It is advisable to drink it quickly to promote its absorption. In fact, by waiting too long, it could gel, which will make its absorption more difficult and make it less effective once in the body. After drinking, drink another glass of water, without psyllium this time. Ingesting it with a lot of water will help to make it swell.
If you prefer, you can also mix it with many dishes such as soups, yoghurts, and compotes, even in cookie dough. It is often used as a thickener in their dishes!
As for the dosage, it is generally advisable to consume between 30g and 40g per day to enjoy its effects. This amounts to about 3 tablespoons, usually taken at different times of the day. However, it will be up to you or your doctor to find the right dose for you. This could be less than 3 tablespoons, but rarely higher.
It is also recommended not to start directly with 3 spoons. Start with a teaspoon and increase the dosage gradually, to accustom your body to psyllium.
Note that you will have to wait about 24 to 48 hours to feel the effects of blond psyllium. Have patience!
Although most people can eat psyllium without any risk, it is important to note a few precautions:
- Drink plenty of water when you eat, to avoid a possible obstruction of the digestive tract.
- Its consumption is not recommended for people suffering from severe abdominal pain or gastrointestinal obstruction.
- If you have another chronic illness or if your health conditions are different from normal, it is best to consult your doctor before eating blond psyllium.
- If you are taking medication, do not take your medicine at the same time as psyllium. It is best to respect at least one hour’s difference between taking both.
- Children cannot consume the same dose as adults. For babies, half a teaspoon a day is more than enough, and it’s important to ensure that they drink enough water after each shot! Children over 6 years old are entitled to half of an adult dose. From 12-13 years old, they can be considered adults.
- In the case of nausea, fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, blood in the stool, or other unusual symptoms, stop taking it and consult a doctor if it seems necessary.
And you, do you already consume blond psyllium? Have you noticed any beneficial effects? Let us know in the comments down below!
