Do Vegetarians Have a Lower Risk of Developing Diverticular Disease?

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Do Vegetarians have a lower risk of Diverticular Disease? The authors explained that a higher fiber intake leads to a reduced transit time, so less water is reabsorbed from the lower gastro intestinal tract, so softer stools are easier to pass.

It also leads to lower intraluminal pressure and a reduced likelihood of forming pouches /bulges.

Prevention through diet and exercise is key

Higher fiber intake: High-fiber foods, such as fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, help by softening the waste material and making it pass more quickly through the colon. This reduces pressure inside the digestive tract. One should aim for at least 20 to 35 grams of fibre each day.
Plenty of fluids: Fiber absorbs water and increases the soft, bulky waste in the colon. But if one does not drink adequate liquids to replace this absorbed water, fiber can be constipating.
Respond to bowel urges: Delaying bowel movements leads to harder stools and greater force and increased pressure within the colon.
Regular exercise: Exercise promotes normal bowel function and reduces pressure inside the colon. At least 30 minutes exercise on most days is necessary.
Probiotics: foods or supplements that contain beneficial bacteria can help by restoring the body's natural balance, and may prevent diverticulitis.

By Poonam Vaswani
Senior Dietitian, Nutritionvista.com

References

NutritionVista

User Comments

01 August, 2011 | Tanmay | Reply

OMG we have heard Indians have a high number of heart patients, high cholesterol and highest number of diabetes but what about this diverticular disease? first time i am hearing of this. How can we prevent it?

27 July, 2011 | Kranthi | Reply

My grandmother is diagnosed as suffering from diverticulosis, is it the same as diverticulitis ?

28 July, 2011 | Poonam | Reply

Dear Kranthi,
The small pouches which bulge through the lining of the intestine are called diverticula. The condition is known as diverticulosis. When the pouches become inflamed the condition is called diverticulitis.

27 July, 2011 | Pavitra Hegde | Reply

I have 2 questions. If a person is already suffering from diverticulitis and probably even has some rectal bleeding etc
1. will the recommended high fiber diet not be abrasive, causing more pain and bleeding?
2. Can the patient have fried or spicy food?

30 July, 2011 | Vijayalakshmi Iyengar | Reply

Dear Pavitra

You are right; when the condition is very severe the patient is on medication and a liquid diet such as fruit juices or broth etc. Gradually the patient is eased onto a regular diet with low fiber foods such as dairy products, eggs, white bread. Fish , meat etc and then onto high fiber foods such as -whole grain cereals, all kinds of beans, nuts, fresh fruits –apples, pears, prunes; veggies like spinach, peas, etc. A minimum of 25-35 of fiber is recommended per day
If there is a problem the doctor may also subscribe pshyllium husk or any other fiber supplement. Plenty of fluids especially water is also recommended to reduce the pressure inside the digestive tract.
Secondly the patient is definitely asked to abstain from both spicy and fried food.
Thank you
Vijayalakshmi Iyengar

27 July, 2011 | Vijayalakshmi Iyengar | Reply

There are may people who suffer from chronic constipation and take insoluble fiber like coarse wheat bran or isabgol (psyllium husk) etc. This will definitely help reduce risk of diverticular disease as it speeeds up transit time through the gut, increase stool weight and relieve constipation.
However, it is preferable that the increase in fiber intake be through the consumption of a variety of cereals and vegetables rather than relying on extensive use of bran and other supplements, as it also contributes to many other important nutrients simultaneously.

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