Is Isabgol good for Weightloss?

 Is Isabgol good for weight loss?

Isabgol is also known as psyllium husk. It is a dietary fibre used widely as a laxative to relieve constipation.

Isabgol, or psyllium husk, is the outer layer of the seeds of the plant Plantago ovata. The psyllium plant is grown mostly in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan and is known as isabgol, a name originating from Persian: asp means horse and gul means flower. History indicates that the isabgol / psyllium husk seeds have been used since ancient times in traditional Iranian medicine to treat digestive conditions.

Research suggests that isabgol can aid weight loss because it contains eight times more soluble fibre than oats. 

Psyllium contains soluble dietary fibre that forms a gel-like layer with water contact. This  gel like layer helps to slow down the transport of food through the stomach and further  digestive process, resulting in increased satiety and thereby contributing to weight loss.

It was also found that isabgol/psyllium husk contains a good amount of fatty acids and starch, which contribute to greater feelings of fullness and less hunger pangs between meals.

Thus, we can conclude that isabgol/psyllium husk can be used in weight loss treatments. However, it is also important to note that it should be consumed in the correct proportion, as it may cause abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea if used in excess.

-Akanksha Kulkarni