Psyllium husk has long been the go-to fibre supplement for gut health specialists to recommend to struggling patients. But as fibre has become fashionable after the troubling revelation that 96 per cent of the UK population are missing the 30g daily intake target<\/a>, perhaps it\u2019s no surprise that there are more than 26,500 posts under the psyllium husk tag on TikTok and an additional 63,300 posts about the product on Instagram.<\/p>\n The supplement contains high levels of mucilage, a type of soluble fibre that turns to gel when combined with liquid. When it travels through the stomach and intestines, it absorbs water to form the gel, which softens and bulks out stool, which can ease constipation and bloating, including for those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). <\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been using psyllium husk for a very long time with my clients, especially those with IBS,\u201d says nutritionist and gut health specialist Marilia Chamon. \u201cIt\u2019s extremely effective, especially for that niche group, which is something that\u2019s not talked about enough.\u201d <\/p>\n Husks come whole, ground into a powder, or in capsules \u2013 but Chamon recommends the powder as you can control the amount and slowly build up your fibre intake, rather than overwhelming your gut with a 10g tablet. \u201cThat will likely make you bloated and can change your bowel movement for a couple of days,\u201d she says. \u201cWith the powder, you can start as low as 3g and build up based on how much you can tolerate.\u201d <\/p>\n It\u2019s important to consume psyllium husk with sufficient water: approximately 500ml to every 20g of fibre. \u201cIf you didn\u2019t, you\u2019d likely choke,\u201d says Chamon. There can also be a risk of gastrointestinal obstruction if not taken with appropriate hydration. As such, some like to add the gel into smoothies with frozen berries, yoghurt, honey and milk, or turn the product into a jam by mixing it with pomegranate juice, to add into a breakfast yoghurt bowl with granola and fresh fruit. <\/p>\n As well as digestion, there\u2019s been evidence to suggest that psyllium aids high cholesterol and blood sugar levels. In a 2018 analysis<\/a> of 28 trials, predominantly involving people with high cholesterol, researchers found that those who took 10g of the product per day for at least three weeks had drops in their low-density lipoprotein (LDL) \u2013 the type of cholesterol you don\u2019t want. Meanwhile, a 2024 review of studies<\/a>, mainly focused on those with Type 2 diabetes or related conditions, found that taking psyllium reduced blood sugar levels. <\/p>\n One of the most headline-grabbing claims about the husk is that it\u2019s \u201cnature\u2019s Ozempic\u201d. \u201cPsyllium and GLP-1 medications both contribute to making you feel fuller,\u201d explains Chamon of the link, \u201cBut it\u2019s a different mechanism. Fibre will slow down your digestion, whereas a GLP-1 medication is a drug that will reprogramme your appetite hormones.\u201d <\/p>\n![\"When](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/iStock-2160754474.jpg\")
When mixed with water the powder forms a gel that can keep you full for longer and reduce cholesterol (Getty)<\/p>\n
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Like most wellness obsessions, putting psyllium husk into your yoghurt every morning isn\u2019t going to be a magic fix (Alamy\/PA)<\/p>\n