Colonic diverticular is a common disease in developed Western countries, particularly among people over 45 years of age. Diverticula are pouches that bulge out from your colon, the part of your body that removes waste. Diverticulitis is inflammation of pouches. You can treat colonic diverticular with a high fiber diet to help increase the passage of food through the colon and reduce constipation, which causes inflamed pouches and exacerbates symptoms.
Fruit
Eating raw fruit may relieve your symptoms and increase the speed of elimination of waste. Raw apples, oranges, pears, pineapple, strawberries and peaches contain vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, an indigestible substance that enhances regular bowel movements. Research by scientists at the University of Wisconsin in Madison published an article in the "Journal of Family Practice" in 2006 asserting that a diet high in fiber, particularly fruit and vegetable fiber and low in fat and red meat may help decrease symptoms in people with diverticular disease and reduce the risk of diverticular disease in people without the condition.
Vegetables
Raw vegetables, such as broccoli, green leafy vegetables, carrots and squash, contain high concentrations of fiber. Consuming a diet with generous amounts of vegetables may improve your condition if you have colonic diverticular disease. Research by scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts and published in the "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology" in 2006 reports that insoluble fiber increases bulk and decreases transit time of elimination of waste and a deficiency of insoluble fiber leading to diverticular disease. The scientists also report that between 10 and 25 percent of individuals with diverticular disease develop inflammation. In summary, the research highlights the importance of increasing your consumption of foods that contain soluble and insoluble fiber and avoiding eating red meat to prevent and treat colonic diverticular disease.
Legumes
Legumes, particularly beans, contain high amounts of dietary fiber and may help you manage colonic diverticular. Eating meals that contain red kidney beans, black beans, lima beans, pinto beans and garbanzo beans, increases your intake of fiber. Replacing red meat with soybeans provides you with sufficient protein and extra fiber to help reduce your symptoms. Soy foods, such as tofu and tempeh, are made from soybeans and provide comparable quality protein as animal products.
Grains
Whole grains are a healthy source of dietary fiber. Whole grains include brown rice, rye, barley, whole wheat and millet. However, the refined grains that manufacturers use in processed foods have reduced nutritional content, including fiber.
References
- Cleveland Clinic; Colonic Diverticular Disease; Remzi, F.; 2011
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; What I Need to Know About Diverticular Disease; 2007
- "Journal of Family Practice"; Clinical Inquiries. What Is the Most Beneficial Diet for Patients with Diverticulosis?; Anne Eglash, et al.; Sep 2006
- "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology"; Case Closed? Diverticulitis: Epidemiology and Fiber; Joshua Korzenik; Aug 2006
- MayoClinic.com; Dietary Fiber: Essential for a Healthy Diet; 2009
- MedlinePlus; Soy; 2010
