Abstract
Objective: To assess whether psyllium, a soluble dietary fibre, could, at an acceptable dose (7.4 g), delay gastric emptying of a low-calorie meal, and reduce hunger feeling and energy intake, without requiring intimate mixing with the meal.
Design: A double blind randomized cross over study with 14 normal volunteers, to evaluate the effect of this dose of psyllium on postprandial serum glucose, triglycerides and insulin levels, and on gastric fullness, hunger feeling and food intake.
Methods: Gastric emptying was measured using a standard double-radiolabeled 450 kcal meal and feelings by visual analogic scales. The postprandial serum glucose, triglycerides and insulin levels were also determined.
Results: No delay in the gastric emptying of the solid and liquid phases of the meal was observed with psyllium. After the meal, hunger feelings and energy intake were significantly lower during the psyllium session than during the placebo session (13% and 17% lower respectively; P<0.05). Postprandial increase in serum glucose, triglycerides and insulin levels was less with psyllium than with placebo (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Psyllium reduces hunger feelings and energy intake in normal volunteers at reasonable dose and without requiring mixing with the meal. It does not act by slowing down the gastric emptying of hydrosoluble nutrients, but by increase in the time allowed for intestinal absorption, as suggested by the flattening of the postprandial serum glucose, insulin and triglycerides curves.
Sponsorship: University, Faculté de Médecine X. Bichat, 75018 Paris, France.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $21.58 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Rigaud, D., Paycha, F., Meulemans, A. et al. Effect of psyllium on gastric emptying, hunger feeling and food intake in normal volunteers: a double blind study. Eur J Clin Nutr 52, 239–245 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600518
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600518
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Dichotomous effect of dietary fiber in pediatrics: a narrative review of the health benefits and tolerance of fiber
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2024)
-
Sex differences in basal hypothalamic anorectic and orexigenic gene expression and the effect of quantitative and qualitative food restriction
Biology of Sex Differences (2018)
-
Comparison of voluntary food intake and palatability of commercial weight loss diets in healthy dogs and cats
BMC Veterinary Research (2016)
-
Fiber and Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
American Journal of Gastroenterology (2013)
-
Effects of cereal breakfasts on postprandial glucose, appetite regulation and voluntary energy intake at a subsequent standardized lunch; focusing on rye products
Nutrition Journal (2011)