Psyllium-rich foods—such as oats, barley and citrus fruits—protects the gut from Crohn’s disease and IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). Psyllium fibre activates bile acid that dampens inflammation in the gut, a common characteristic of IBD, say researchers from Georgia State University. They tested different types of fibre on laboratory mice, but only psyllium had the ability to improve symptoms of metabolic syndrome and colitis.   Oats, barley, nuts and seeds, legumes such as peas and beans, and citrus fruits such as apples, oranges and grapefruit are rich in psyllium.