Psyllium husk, commonly used for relieving constipation, has been found to also be effective in alleviating hangovers and preventing liver damage. It may also help improve abnormal behaviors associated with acute alcohol intoxication or hangovers.
A joint research team led by Professor Dam Yoo of Soonchunhyang University Seoul Hospital’s Gastroenterology Department, Clinical Lecturer Kyoung-Mo Yang of Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital’s Gastroenterology Department, and Professor Beom-Seon Jeong from Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine’s Anatomy Department conducted a study to explore the effects of psyllium husk on alcohol metabolism. The research involved a mouse model where they divided the mice into groups—one that consumed alcohol and took psyllium husk and another that did not—after administering large quantities of alcohol. They compared blood tests, liver and small intestine tissue examinations, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and mouse behavioral experiments.
The comparison revealed that the group of mice which consumed psyllium husk had significantly lower blood levels of ALT and AST, indicators of liver inflammation, compared to the group that did not consume psyllium husk. Small intestine examinations showed less damage in the group that took psyllium husk, and PCR results indicated reduced expression of alcohol-degrading enzymes in the small intestine.
Additionally, the group that took psyllium husk showed significantly lower blood concentrations of ethanol and acetaldehyde, which play critical roles in hangovers. In the liver tissues, there was a notable reduction in the expression of inflammatory cytokines and alcohol-degrading enzymes as well.
Professor Dam Yoo stated, “This study confirmed through animal experiments that psyllium husk has an effect in preventing hangovers and liver damage after alcohol consumption. We hope this will aid in the development of hangover remedies and treatments for alcohol-induced liver damage.”
Psyllium husk is also known to be effective in lowering blood sugar levels and preventing constipation. It is a representative gel-forming dietary fiber. By absorbing and retaining water, the rate at which it moves from the stomach to the duodenum slows down. This delay in sugar absorption prevents rapid increases in blood sugar levels, subsequently reducing the stimulation of insulin secretion. Moreover, the gel increases stool volume, helping to alleviate constipation symptoms.
The results of this study were recently published in the international journal ‘Frontiers in Pharmacology.’