Diverticulitis is an inflammatory disease that affects your digestive system. This condition may arise when a weakness in the lining of your colon causes diverticula, or small pockets, to form in the lining. Stool then gets trapped in the pockets, resulting in an infection. Diverticulitis generally occurs in people over 40, but the condition may arise in a person of any age, according to MayoClinic.com. The main symptoms associated with this condition are severe abdominal pain and diarrhea. Most of the time, this condition improves with a healthy diet and antibiotics. Limiting or avoiding foods that worsen diverticulitis will help prevent unpleasant flares.
Nuts and Seeds
If you have diverticulitis, eating nuts and seeds may worsen your condition. The tiny particles from nuts and seeds may become lodged in the pouches of your colon, irritating the colon lining and causing additional weak spots to form in the colon wall. Seeds that may irritate the colon are sesame, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. MayoClinic.com states that while no scientific evidence shows that nuts and seeds cause diverticulitis flares, if you believe these foods trigger your diverticulitis symptoms, it is best to avoid them.
Popcorn Hulls
Popcorn hulls exacerbate diverticulitis, according to Tufts University. Popcorn hulls may scratch and irritate the colon lining and cause abdominal pain, nausea and/or diarrhea. In addition, popcorn contains a large amount of fiber that may soften stools and increase the frequency of bowel movements. If your diverticulitis symptoms worsen after eating corn-based products, such as corn tortillas, corn chips or corn flour, you should avoid these foods as well.
Chili Peppers
If you eat a lot of hot peppers, it may aggravate your diverticulitis, according to the website Diverticulitis-diet.info. Chili peppers and other spicy foods may irritate and inflame the lining of your colon and cause stomach pain and diarrhea.
Member Comments