Psyllium, as all soluble fibers, is known to improve the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar by controlling the glucose absorption in the gut. Various trials had success when using psyllium as a glucose lowering dietetic tool.Doses vary, but it shows significant improvement, mainly on prediabetes and type 2 diabetic patients. Given the benefits of psyllium fiber, it is a very easy addition to the diet.

In general, the health-promoting effects of psyllium include growing beneficial bacteria and increasing the production of short-chain fatty acids previously shown to be positive for colonic health. Another property of psyllium is that it retains water in the small intestine, and thereby, increases water flow into the ascending colon. The resulting increase in the fluidity of colonic content treats constipation and therefore increases absorption of most vitamins and minerals essentially required to improve the immune system.

Like other soluble fibers, psyllium forms a gel that cannot be digested or absorbed, therefore it slows down digestion and delays gastric emptying. That explains the persistent impression of satiety after eating a large quantity of fibers. These assumptions are not sufficient to confirm the therapeutic use of psyllium for weight loss, but by delaying the return of hunger, it could help people to cope with diets.