As someone who has written extensively on digestive health, I thought I had tried it all. Yet, despite my best efforts, I often found myself battling severe bloating—episodes so uncomfortable that my jeans felt painfully tight for days. My attempts at dietary tweaks and hydration hacks often left me wondering if true relief was even possible. Then, my father told me to try a simple, life-changing remedy: psyllium husk every night.

It was hard to believe at first: something as innocuous as a teaspoon of powder stirred into a glass of water could make a difference. But desperation can be a strong persuader. It's been a week since I started consuming psyllium husk, and my bloating has significantly subsided. At two months, I continue faithfully to add it to my daily regimen, reaping not just relief but other surprising health benefits.

If you are having issues with bloating or other forms of inconsistent digestion, read on to understand what psyllium husk is and why it can be the panacea you were looking for.

What Is Bloating And How Does Psyllium Help?

Other causes of bloating can be foods that produce gas, chewing gum, or carbonation. However, the biggest cause is often constipation. Psyllium husk is a type of soluble fiber obtained from the seeds of the Plantago ovata plant. It acts as a bulk-forming laxative. The way it works is by absorbing water in the gut and creating a gel-like substance that will make bowel movements smoother and more consistent.

What's powerful is the dual action of fiber of the psyllium:

• Soluble fiber, which has the effect of easing stool through the digestive system due to the lubrication caused.
• In addition, it's insoluble fiber that allows adding bulk for a more productive contraction of the colon.

The stool is released much more effectively with less trouble for the risk of complications including the case of having hemorrhoids.

Also Read: Manage Acid Reflux At Night With 5 Simple Tips For Better Sleep

Other Benefits Of Psyllium Husk

Though widely recognized for its anti-bloating and constipation effects, psyllium husk offers much more.

Improved Gut Health

Psyllium is a prebiotic that supports the growth of good gut bacteria. A well-functioning gut microbiome contributes to immunity, reduced inflammation, and overall health.

Weight Loss

Soluble fiber delays digestion, leaving you feeling fuller for longer. Research has indicated that psyllium husk can aid in weight loss by suppressing appetite and thus preventing overeating.

Blood Sugar Control

Psyllium slows down the absorption of glucose, preventing spikes and crashes in blood sugar levels. In people with type 2 diabetes, it may be a helpful tool to keep blood sugar steady.

Reduced Cholesterol Levels

Soluble fiber binds with cholesterol in the digestive system, removing it from the body. Regular intake of psyllium has been associated with lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

How to Add Psyllium to Your Diet

Adding psyllium to your diet requires a little care to maximize its benefits:

• Start by taking a small dose mixed in 12 ounces of water and increase slowly after every couple of days until the body adapts to added fiber.
• Drink sufficient amounts of water with the addition of psyllium for a comfortable elimination or even reduced discomfort or further bloating. Drink 12 ounces of water with each teaspoon of psyllium.
• Psyllium can be taken at any time, but I've found it most effective in the morning, about an hour before breakfast. Avoid taking it with meals, as it can make you feel overly full.
• To ensure proper absorption of medications, take psyllium at least one hour before or two to four hours after any medications.

Does Psyllium Work Instantly?

Unlike stimulant laxatives, psyllium will not offer quick relief. Most people see improvements in bowel regularity within a few days. Initial side effects such as mild bloating or gas are common but usually resolve within a week as your body adjusts.

Is Psyllium Safe for Daily Use?

For most people, psyllium is safe to take daily. However, it's intended as a supplement, not a long-term replacement for fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Strive to meet your dietary fiber needs naturally over time.

Psyllium husk transformed my approach to digestive health. It offered relief from persistent bloating and constipation while providing additional benefits like improved gut health, cholesterol reduction, and weight management. Whether you’re dealing with occasional discomfort or chronic bloating, this simple 30-second trick could be your answer.

If you're willing to give it a shot, start small and be patient. Like me, you might find that this humble fiber is the key to a happier, healthier gut.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new diet or treatment for digestive health.

Tiktok fibremaxxing wellness trend: There is no shortage of wellness trends online that claim to transform your health, but a new one has taken over social media with a focus on gut health. It’s called “fibremaxxing,” and its premise is simple: eat more fibre to improve digestion, metabolism, immunity, and lower the risk of disease. On TikTok and Instagram, the trend often appears as colourful lentil bowls, chia puddings, and smoothies loaded with leafy greens and flaxseeds. But how much of this viral trend is actually backed by science?

Also Read: Hong Thai Herb Inhaler Recalled: Thai FDA Flags Popular Brand Over Contamination — All You Need To Know

The idea of increasing both soluble and insoluble fibre isn’t new, yet fibremaxxing has made it trendy again—and this time, for good reason. Fibre is vital to everyday health, supporting everything from steady blood sugar to regular bowel movements. Here’s what experts say about this growing movement and why fibre truly matters.

What Is Fibremaxxing?

Fibremaxxing is a social media movement that encourages people to boost their fibre intake by adding more fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains to every meal. The goal is to improve digestion, promote fullness, and support long-term health. According to Dr. Urvi Shah, a board-certified hematologist-oncologist and physician at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the concept behind fibremaxxing is largely rooted in scientific evidence. Dr. Shah, who is leading multiple studies on high-fibre plant-based diets, notes that the approach aligns well with established nutrition research.

Is ‘Fibremaxxing’ Good Or Bad For Your Gut?

High-fibre diets are consistently linked to a wide range of health benefits, from lowering the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and colon cancer to aiding weight control and gut function. That’s why Dr. Shah believes fibremaxxing gets several aspects right.

She explains that including a wide variety of plant-based, high-fibre foods is essential because “different fibre types feed different microbes.” A diverse diet helps nurture a balanced microbiome. She adds that the trend’s emphasis on whole foods rather than processed or fibre-enriched items is a major plus. “Whole plants provide fibre, polyphenols, and micronutrients that work together to support the gut,” she says. Prebiotic-rich foods also help shape a healthier microbiota and increase the production of beneficial short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, which has “anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.”

Simply put, upping your fibre intake through natural, unprocessed foods, rather than supplements, can make a real difference to gut health.

What’s The Daily Recommended Amount of Fibre Intake?

Experts suggest that adults should consume between 25 and 30 grams of fibre each day. Men typically require more (around 38 grams), while women need about 25 grams. These numbers can vary depending on age, sex, and calorie intake, but a general guideline is 14 grams of fibre for every 1,000 calories eaten, according to Harvard Health.

How To Add Fibre To Your Diet?

Plant-based foods are the easiest way to increase your fibre intake, this could mean starting your morning with oats or simply adding more vegetables to your meals. Dietitian Laura Tilt notes that several everyday foods are surprisingly high in fibre:

• Rolled porridge oats – 4.5g per 50g (half cup)
• Canned chickpeas – 7g per half can
• Seeded bread – 5g per two slices
• Canned lentils – 6g per half can
• Frozen peas – 4.5g per 80g (3 tbsp)
• Frozen raspberries – 5.5g per 80g (3 tbsp)
• Wholemeal pasta – 6.5g per 75g serving
• Dried apricots – 3g per 3–4 pieces
• Reduced salt/sugar baked beans – 7.5g per half can
• Mixed milled seeds (flax, pumpkin, chia) – 4.5g per 25g

Is Fibremaxxing Helpful?

There’s no doubt fibre plays an essential role in maintaining good health. But like any nutrient, too much of it can cause problems if not balanced properly. A sudden surge in fibre intake without enough water can lead to bloating, gas, constipation, dehydration, or even trigger IBS symptoms. Over-focusing on fibre might also cause you to overlook other nutrients your body needs. The key is moderation, fibre is beneficial, but it works best as part of a balanced, varied diet.

If you landed here, the reason is that you are also someone who cannot tolerate milk, but loves yogurt, and are probably wondering why is that?

The logic is that if you have lactose intolerance, you won't be able to digest any dairy product, but with yogurt, your life is easy. The answer lies in the components of the two various dairy products that come from the same source.

Why Can't You Digest Milk?

The reason is because you are lactose intolerant. This is a condition that makes it hard to digest the sugar in milk and milk products, called lactose. People with lactose intolerance could have diarrhea, gas and bloating after they consume milk. While this condition is usually harmless, it can cause discomfort.

This happens because the enzymes in the small intestine, called lactase is responsible for lactose intolerance. If someone has too low levels of lactase, the person can become lactose intolerant.

The small intestine and colon are parts of the digestive tract, which processes the foods you eat. The intestine pull out nutrients from the food and whatever is not absorbed by the intestines continues along the digestive tract and is expelled as stool during a bowel movement.

But Why Can You Digest Yogurt, If You Cannot Digest Milk?

The answer to this lies in the fermentation process that turns milk into curd and breaks down much of the lactose, which is the sugar, that is often difficult to digest. The probiotic bacteria used to make curd contain their own lactase, which helps in the breakdown of lactose, and this can further help with digestion even for those who do not produce enough lactase on their own.

Furthermore, during fermentation, the bacteria in curd, called the Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus convert lactose into lactic acid, which is easier for the body to process. This helps your body to digest curd easily over milk. Since the bacteria contains lactase, which the milk lacks, some people may find it easier to digest curd or yogurt over milk.

The bacterial cells also physically protect their lactase, and it can work to break down the lactose from the curd as it passes through the digestive system.

Why Is Curd Gut-Friendly?

The key to a healthy gut health is lactobacillus, a kind of probiotic, which helps in digestion, suppression of disease-causing bacteria and treats constipation. It also is beneficial in treating irritable bowel syndrome. It breaks down sugar into lactic acid.

A study by a Bhubaneswar-based professor Balamurugan Ramdas also revealed that Bengal or Odisha's popular breakfast Panta Bhaat, which includes fermented cooked rice, also releases the same bacteria, that fermented milk releases and so it contains short-chain fatty acids, which are responsible for improving gut health and boosting immunity.

Furthermore, curd is known to balance the gut flora, probiotics improve digestion, and the absorption of nutrition. They also help in the breakdown of food, reducing issues like bloating, gas, and constipation. The probiotics in curd can help restore the natural balance in your gut, which can soothe an upset stomach and alleviate discomfort from indigestion. A healthy gut is closely linked to a strong immune system, and the probiotics in curd help to boost gut health, which in turn can enhance immunity.

While people do take eating healthily seriously, many people forget to take the timing into consideration. Many studies have shown that eating late at night or midnight snacking is bad for your metabolism and makes you gain weight, but does the same logic apply to how early you eat your breakfast? A new published in Communications Medicine explains why the timing may be important, even for breakfast.

The time you eat breakfast could play a surprising role in your overall health and even influence how long you live. New research suggests that for older adults, meal timing, especially when they eat their first meal, may reveal important clues about their health status. The study found that eating breakfast later in the day was linked to higher rates of health issues like depression, fatigue, and dental problems, along with a greater risk of early death.

Experts believe that changes in an older person's meal schedule, particularly breakfast time, could be an easy way to check on their general health. He suggests that encouraging older adults to stick to regular mealtimes could be an important step in promoting healthy aging and a longer life.

How Does Breakfast Timing Affect Health?

The research followed almost 3,000 adults in the U.K., aged 42 to 94, for over 20 years. The people in the study reported their usual times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with details about their health.

Meal Times Shifted Later with Age

As the participants got older, both their breakfast and dinner times gradually became later. For every ten years of life, breakfast was delayed by about eight minutes and dinner by four minutes.

The Serious Connection

Most importantly, delaying breakfast was linked to having more long-term health problems and a higher chance of death during the study period. For every hour breakfast was delayed, the risk of death went up by 8–11%.

Experts emphasized that eating later, especially delaying breakfast, is tied to both health problems and a higher risk of death in older people. This finding gives new weight to the old saying that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for seniors.

Why an Early Breakfast is Better for Your Health

While this study can't definitively prove that eating earlier directly causes a longer lifespan, experts agree that the evidence strongly supports a regular, early breakfast habit.

Work with Your Body's Clock

Experts recommend having breakfast within one to two hours of waking up. Experts also explained that our body's ability to process food is best right after we wake up.

Avoid Health Risks

Skipping or heavily delaying breakfast can lead to dangerous spikes in blood sugar later in the day. These spikes can hurt blood vessels, increase body inflammation, and raise the risk of serious illnesses like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Keep Your System in Sync

Eating early helps keep your body's internal 24-hour clock (circadian rhythm) working correctly. This proper timing supports better metabolism and better sleep patterns throughout the day.

The Importance of Routine

Health experts strongly emphasize that the consistency of your mealtimes is just as important as the time itself. Eating at regular times helps keep the body's natural 24-hour rhythm strong, which controls everything from digestion to hormones.

A healthy life includes a routine of exercise, good sleep, social connections, and healthy eating habits, which means being thoughtful about what you eat and when you eat it.

By regularly eating breakfast and dinner earlier, you match your eating pattern with your body's natural cycle. This can help you avoid eating too much late at night and supports better sleep. Having a simple, consistent breakfast may be one of those small, daily choices that add up to a longer, healthier life.