The Diverticular Disease Diet

The Diverticular Disease Diet

Some simple changes  like adding fiber to your diet  can help protect you from diverticular disease.

Diverticular disease describes two common diseases of the colon, diverticulosis and diverticulitis.

When small pouches form in the colon wall, the condition is called diverticulosis. The pouches, called diverticula, can become inflamed; when this happens, the condition name is diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can be dangerous if left untreated, causing bleeding, blockages, tears, and infection.

Diet and Diverticular Disease: Is Low Fiber the Cause?

“Diet probably has a role in the development of diverticular disease,” says Osama Alaradi, MD, a gastroenterologist and senior staff physician at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Mich. Researchers have noticed that a low-fiber diet in particular seems to play a huge role.

“Countries where they continue to eat high fiber still have lower incidence of disease,” Dr. Alaradi explains. Diverticulosis and diverticulitis are less common in Africa and Asia, and most common in Western nations like the United States, where incidence reaches as high as 40 percent of people over age 60, Alaradi says.

In the United States, diverticular disease was less common at the beginning of the 19th century and has been steadily increasing since the 1960s. “Less exercise, more fast food, and less fiber. The lifestyle has changed,” Alaradi explains. “It’s much less common in vegetarians.” Vegetarian diets tend to be higher in fiber than non-vegetarian diets.

Diet and Diverticular Disease: Is High Fiber the Solution?

“High-fiber and low-fat diets are protective against diverticular disease,” Alaradi says. “It’s probable that the high fiber is more important than the low fat.” This may be related to the role of fiber in preventing constipation, which is not only uncomfortable, but also increases the pressure inside your colon, which may put you at risk for diverticular disease.

“You develop raised colonic pressure,” Alaradi says. “If you have to strain to have a bowel movement, the pressure is higher.” This pressure can cause the weak spots in your colon to bulge out, forming the diverticula.

“When we talk about the role of diet in management, we mean either to prevent more episodes or to minimize the recurrence,” Alaradi says. “There is some evidence to suggest that a long-term fiber supplement reduces recurrence.”

There’s no time like the present to increase your fiber intake. Start slowly when adding fiber to give your body time to adjust. Vegetables and fruits are good sources of fiber to start with. Then increase fiber through whole grains and vegetable proteins, like beans and legumes. Talk to your doctor or ask for a referral to a registered dietitian if you need help finding sources of fiber that you like.

Diet and Diverticular Disease: The Truth About Nuts and Corn

Many people with diverticular disease decide to avoid nuts, corn, and popcorn after their diagnosis, mistakenly believing them to cause irritation to the diverticula. “There is no evidence for this practice, but it’s a widespread belief among patients, and even among physicians,” Alaradi says.

A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association followed more than 47,000 men over a period of 18 years and found no evidence that nuts and corn complicate diverticular disease. In fact, these high-fiber foods are a much better snack choice than a bag of chips, which have little fiber and no nutritional value.

In general, the more mindful you are of what you eat, the lower your chances of developing diverticular disease. Choosing healthy food on a regular basis is simply best for your body in the long run.