What are psyllium husk benefits and side effects? Is psyllium husk low fodmap? Gluten free? Acidic or alkaline? Vegan? Good for you? Healthy? Sustainable? Here are psyllium husk pros and cons: all the info on psyllium husk that every ethical consumer wants to know…
Food is something we consume every day. If you’re like me, you do all the research you can to make sure you don’t hurt yourself, the planet, animals or others when shopping. As an ethical consumer myself, I am giving you all the info I’ve found on psyllium husk benefits and side effects.
You are going to learn all about psyllium husk benefits and side effects. This will include psyllium husk benefits for your health and potential risks, psyllium husk water footprint and carbon footprint, sustainability, if psyllium husk is vegan or impacts animals in other ways, and much more.
After learning if psyllium husk is good or bad for you, the environment, animals and human rights, you will be able to make the best choices you can the next time you buy food.
This post is all about psyllium husk benefits and side effects that every ethical consumer should know.
Psyllium Husk Benefits And Side Effects
HEALTH
Psyllium husk benefits for health may include:
- better digestion
- less constipation
- regularity
- heart health
- gut health
- lower blood pressure
- lower cholesterol levels
- manage and prevent diabetes pancreas health
- weight loss
Psyllium husk side effects may include:
- pesticide consumption if not organic
- do not over-consume, be sure to eat in moderation as with any food
Additionally, psyllium husk is…
ENVIRONMENT
Water footprint: unknown
Carbon footprint: unknown
Destruction: low, psyllium husk production is relatively sustainable, there is no significant damage to air, water, land, soil, forests, etc. as long as there are no pesticides, be sure to buy Non-GMO/organic, as toxic, chemical pesticides contaminate air, water, soil, etc
Psyllium husk is…
- Sustainable
ANIMALS
Kills: none, psyllium husk production does not require any animals
Harms: none, psyllium husk production does not require any animals
Indirectly killed or harmed: none, no animals are indirectly killed or harmed from psyllium husk production as long as toxic chemicals have not been used, be sure to buy Non-GMO/organic, as pesticides harm and kill wildlife and ecosystems by contaminating soil, water, air and plants that animals eat
Psyllium husk is…
- Vegan
- Harmful to wildlife and ecosystems unless organic
LABORERS
Health and safety: varies, overall, agriculture continues to be one of the most dangerous industries, farmworkers may be subject to dehydration, heat stroke, unprotected exposure to harmful, toxic chemicals and pesticides, unsafe machinery and clean drinking water may not always accessible
Living conditions: varies, laborers often experience exploitation, they may face tough working conditions including long hours in the sun and heat performing physically exhausting tasks, labor laws and rights may or may not be in place, even if worker protection exists, employer violations may go unreported, refugees and migrant workers are especially vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment, fearing consequences of job loss or deportation
Wages: varies, generally farmworkers earn meager wages, there are many cases of underpaid agricultural workers, wage theft and no overtime payment or benefits
Psyllium husk…
- May involve worker exploitation, laborer issues, human rights concerns
Psyllium is mainly from the Mediterranean region and in India. The world’s top psyllium husk exporting country is Germany, followed by China, India, USA, Spain, Poland, Egypt, Canada, Hong Kong and UK.
Yes! Psyllium husk is high in fiber and potassium.
Is psyllium husk gluten free?
Yes, psyllium husk is gluten free. Psyllium husk does not contain gluten.
While celiac disease may not be as rampant as many marketing trends lead us to believe, you may have a gluten sensitivity…
Celiac and gluten sensitivity symptoms are similar and may include:
- recurring abdominal pain
- chronic diarrhea
- constipation
- tingling
- numbness in hands and feet
- chronic fatigue
- joint pain
- unexplained infertility
- low bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
There are hundreds of potential symptoms, many of which are also symptoms of other conditions.
Going gluten-free easier than ever with this: Gluten and Gluten Free Foods List
Is psyllium husk a common food allergen?
No, psyllium husk is not a common food allergen. Some people may experience allergic reactions to psyllium husk but it is relatively rare by comparison.
A group of the eight major allergenic foods, AKA the Big-8, include:
- milk
- eggs
- fish
- crustacean shellfish
- tree nuts
- peanuts
- wheat
- soybeans
These foods account for about 90% of all food allergies in the United States.
Severe food allergies can be life threatening. Following ingestion of a food allergen, a person with food allergies can experience a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Persons may still be allergic to and have serious reactions to foods other than the eight foods identified by the law.
Be aware of common dietary restrictions and food allergens with this: The Big 8 Most Common Food Allergens List
Is psyllium husk low FODMAP?
Yes, psyllium husk is low FODMAP, a food that fits into a low-FODMAP diet.
A low FODMAP diet may help those with bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
It’s all about knowing your body. Observe what works and what doesn’t. You body might even react negatively to a low-FODMAP food simply due to intolerance. Everyone is different! Be mindful and patient. Take time to get to know what’s best for your physical health and overall wellbeing.
Is psyllium husk sustainable?
Psyllium husk production is relatively sustainable since there is no known significant damage to air, water, land, soil, forests, etc. Be sure to buy non GMO/organic, as toxic, chemical pesticides contaminate air, water, soil, etc. when using regenerative practices.
A 2018 Oxford University study – which is the most comprehensive analysis to date of the damage farming does to the planet – found that ‘avoiding meat and dairy is the single biggest way to reduce your impact on Earth’ as animal farming provides just 18% of calories but takes up 83% of our farmland.
Consuming animal products and byproducts is not environmentally friendly and is one of the worst things for the Earth. Not only is meat production wasteful, it causes enormous amounts of pollution. The industry is one of the biggest causes of climate change.
A 2010 United Nations report said that a global shift towards a vegan diet is vital to save the world the worst impacts of climate change.
Read more about ‘What Makes Food Sustainable Or Unsustainable?’
Is psyllium husk vegan?
Yes, psyllium husk is vegan. Psyllium husk is from the husks of seeds of a type of plant, and not an animal product or byproduct, therefore making it a vegan food.
Animals of factory farming are suffering. They live in horrific conditions that often include confinement, physical abuse and unnatural environments…so much so that they need to receive antibiotics to keep from getting ill or spreading disease. Growth hormones allow all kinds of animals to become fatter faster and live short lives.
Go vegan for animals!
It’s the best way to help animals and it’s not as difficult as you may think. Speak for animals with your actions, for they cannot speak at all.
Going vegan is easier than ever, at a glance with this: Vegan and Non-Vegan Foods List
Does psyllium husk have human rights issues?
At this time there are no major concerns with psyllium husk production but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening! It’s important to stay aware of human rights concerns that may come with specific brands.
Did you know the single largest employer in the world is agriculture? The labor involved behind each and every product cannot go unrecognized.
Sadly, many labor concerns exist around the world in both developed and developing countries. We must be vigilant to ensure what we buy is not contributing to industries that are unfair to their valuable workers. Some known problems include workplace health and safety, child labor, gender inequality, inadequate pay, wage theft and exploitation. Workers can even experience harassment, humiliation and violence and unfair employers often fail to provide laborers with access to shade, drinking water, restrooms and breaks. Consequently, laborers can face nausea, dizziness, heat exhaustion, dehydration and heat stroke -the leading cause of farmworker death!
Such mistreatment is like modern day slavery. Workers are often afraid to report issues because they fear it will result in losing their jobs or deportation.
Fair trade organizations fight to ensure better social, environmental and economic standards.
We can improve people’s lives with foods we eat every day simply by buying products that are certified fair trade.
Be sure to read up on this list of ‘Foods You Should Always Buy Fair Trade‘
This post was all about psyllium husk benefits and side effects.
Sources:
unsweetened psyllium fiber powder USDA
