What is Psyllium Husk?

If you read the ingredients section for Lo-Dough, you’ll see that one of the things used is something called Psyllium Husk - triggering a number of questions and queries. But what exactly is it?

Contents:

1) The importance of dietary fibre
2) Psyllium husk is gluten free
3) Helping to control blood sugars
4) What else is in Lo-Dough?

Lo-Dough includes this ingredient, but what exactly is it and is it healthy?

Let’s take a look.

Psyllium husk comes from a shrub-like herb called Plantago ovata. This plant can be seen growing all over the world, but is most commonly found in India. Psyllium husk is derived from the gel-coated seeds produced by the plant, and is a completely natural form of dietary fibre which has some great health benefits, including:

Helping to control blood sugar levels
Managing healthy weight loss

Good for your gut and digestive system

The importance of dietary fibre

According to figures from Public Health England (PHE), most Brits aren’t getting enough fibre from their diets.

Findings from the latest National Diet and Nutrition Survey reveal that the average Brit consumes 18g of fibre each day, however, this is significantly below the recommended intake of 30g.

As part of a report on nutrition.org.uk, it’s claimed that fibre can also help with type 2 diabetes. It states: “Dietary fibre has been shown to improve glycaemic control and has an important role in managing diabetes. Studies suggest that a high intake of dietary fibre reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. There is also evidence specifically for higher intakes of cereal fibre and higher wholegrain consumption and lower incidence of type 2 diabetes.”

The NHS has also published information sating how dietary fibre is a crucial component to any diet: aiding digestion, preventing constipation and lowering your risk of heart disease.

Psyllium husk is gluten free

Psyllium husk can be great in baking, and it’s often used for gluten free recipes. It becomes a gel when added to water or moisture, preventing gluten-free baked goods from becoming dry and crumbly. Lo-Dough as a product remains completely gluten free.

Helping to control blood sugars

Introducing more soluble fibre like psyllium husk helps to reduce blood glucose levels. High blood pressure levels can be dangerous for those with or without diabetes, as there is a risk of heart disease or stroke. This natural fibre has been said to help keep this under control.