Colon Broom and Metamucil are not the same product, but they share the same active ingredient: psyllium husk, a plant-based soluble fiber. The core difference is branding, price, and a few secondary ingredients. Both work the same way in your gut, and neither contains a proprietary or unique fiber source that the other lacks.
They Use the Same Fiber
Psyllium husk is the functional ingredient in both products. It absorbs liquid in your intestines, swells, and forms a bulky, softer stool that’s easier to pass. This mechanism is identical regardless of which brand delivers it. Metamucil provides approximately 3.4 grams of psyllium husk per serving. Colon Broom also uses psyllium husk as its primary fiber source, though it’s marketed with additional plant extracts and flavoring.
Because psyllium is the same plant fiber in both cases, the laxative effect, the timeline for results, and the general experience of using them are comparable. If one product “works” for you, the other almost certainly would too.
What’s Different in the Formula
The secondary ingredients are where the two products diverge. Metamucil’s sugar-free versions use aspartame as a sweetener (the label notes it contains 25 mg of phenylalanine per serving, which matters if you have phenylketonuria). Colon Broom uses stevia and citric acid for its strawberry flavor, and adds small amounts of ingredients like sea salt and lemon juice. None of these extras change the fiber’s core function, but they do affect taste, and taste is a real factor when you’re mixing powder into water every day.
Metamucil is available in both powder and capsule forms, giving you flexibility if you dislike the texture of fiber drinks. Colon Broom is sold only as a powder. If swallowing a gritty drink is a dealbreaker for you, Metamucil’s capsule option solves that problem in a way Colon Broom currently doesn’t.
The Price Gap Is Significant
This is the most practical difference between the two. Colon Broom is listed at roughly $125 for a two-pack on Amazon, which works out to over $6 per ounce. Metamucil, by contrast, typically costs between $15 and $30 for a canister that lasts a comparable amount of time. Depending on the specific size and flavor, you can expect to pay roughly four to six times more per serving for Colon Broom than for Metamucil.
Colon Broom’s higher price reflects its direct-to-consumer marketing, influencer partnerships, and subscription model rather than a meaningfully different ingredient profile. You’re paying for branding, not a superior fiber.
Health Benefits Are Tied to Psyllium, Not the Brand
The proven benefits of these products come from psyllium husk itself, not from anything unique to either brand. The FDA has authorized a specific health claim for soluble fiber from psyllium: that it may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease when part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol. This authorized claim dates back to 1998 and applies to psyllium husk regardless of which company sells it.
Beyond heart health, psyllium is well-studied for relieving constipation, improving stool consistency, and helping manage mild diarrhea by absorbing excess water. Some research also supports modest benefits for blood sugar control after meals. These effects depend on consistent daily use and adequate water intake, not on brand selection.
Side Effects Are the Same
Because the active ingredient is identical, both products carry the same potential for digestive side effects. Bloating, gas, and mild cramping are common when you first start taking psyllium, especially if you jump straight to a full dose. Starting with half a serving and increasing gradually over a week or two gives your gut time to adjust. Drinking a full glass of water with each dose is essential. Psyllium absorbs a lot of liquid, and taking it without enough water can make constipation worse or, in rare cases, cause a blockage.
These side effects aren’t specific to either brand. If Colon Broom causes bloating, switching to Metamucil won’t fix the problem, because the fiber doing the work is the same.
Which One to Choose
If cost matters to you at all, Metamucil (or a generic store-brand psyllium husk powder) delivers the same fiber at a fraction of the price. If you prefer Colon Broom’s strawberry flavor or find its marketing materials helpful for building a daily habit, it won’t hurt you, but you’re not getting a different or superior product. The fiber is psyllium husk either way, the mechanism is the same, and the clinical evidence supporting its use applies equally to both.
Generic psyllium husk powder, often sold under store brands at pharmacies and grocery stores, is the cheapest option of all and contains the same ingredient with minimal additives. For most people, it’s the most practical choice.