Psyllium for cholesterol, blood pressure and heart health
What it found
In people, psyllium lowered total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B, and lowered systolic blood pressure but not diastolic pressure.
In rats, it reduced heart muscle injury after restricted blood flow.
What they found
Studies in people
Blood pressure in people
Two recent meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials found psyllium significantly lowered systolic blood pressure compared with control diets. It did not significantly affect diastolic pressure, though one meta-analysis suggested diastolic pressure might drop with interventions lasting at least 8 weeks.
Cholesterol in people
Meta-analyses found psyllium reduced total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B. This may lower the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
Animal and lab studies
Heart injury in rats
In a rat model of ischemia/reperfusion, psyllium supplementation decreased myocardial injury. This happened through inhibition of apoptosis and antioxidant activities.
Other findings
Gaps in research
Few studies have looked at psyllium's role in atherosclerosis, especially vascular inflammation and remodeling. No studies have yet investigated its effect on pro-inflammatory cytokine concentrations, cellular adhesion molecule expression, or leukocyte adhesion.
How it was done
The authors wanted to review how food hydrocolloids such as psyllium affect cardiovascular health, including blood pressure, blood fats and inflammation.
They reviewed meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials in people and a rat study of ischemia/reperfusion injury.
What it can’t tell you
- The meta-analyses combine results from different trials, so they can show a link between psyllium and these measures but not prove cause and effect.
- The rat study cannot show what happens in people.
- Epidemiologic studies on dietary fiber are limited by differences between actual and reported intake, and the wide variety of fibers makes it hard to isolate psyllium's specific impact.
Who paid
- Conflicts
- Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing interests.
- Authors work at
- Mercer University, USA; Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, USA; East West University, Bangladesh
The paper
- Title
- A review of food hydrocolloids on cardiovascular health: Alginate, astragalus polysaccharides, carrageenan, fucoidan, lunasin, and psyllium
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Pandey AK, Ezewudo E, Hoque N, et al (2025). A review of food hydrocolloids on cardiovascular health: Alginate, astragalus polysaccharides, carrageenan, fucoidan, lunasin, and psyllium. International journal of biological macromolecules. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.144505Free full textPubMed 40409656DOI
Summary written 30 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error