Your colon includes lining tissue surrounded by involuntary muscle, which propels fecal matter toward your rectum. Diverticula are small outpouchings of the colon that arise from weak areas in the muscular wall. Although diverticula can occur anywhere in your large bowel, they most commonly arise in the last section, which is called the sigmoid colon. The ascending colon --- the first part of your large bowel --- is also commonly involved. Diet is the focus of treatment for diverticulosis, regardless of what regions of your colon it affects.
The Link Between Fiber and Diverticulosis
Doctors theorize that low fiber intake is a significant contributing factor to the development of diverticulosis. This theory is supported by the fact that diverticulosis occurs commonly in populations with low-fiber diets and rarely in those with high-fiber diets. You may have noticed that low dietary fiber consumption often leads to constipation, which necessitates straining to have a bowel movement. The pressure associated with straining may be the underlying cause of diverticulosis.
Diverticulosis Diet
The primary treatment for diverticulosis is a high-fiber diet. Increasing your fiber intake adds bulk and water to your stool, which reduces the likelihood of constipation. To keep your bowels moving regularly and comfortably with diverticulosis, your diet should include 25 to 35 g of fiber daily. Try to obtain your daily fiber from the food you eat rather than supplements. With a bit of planning, it is relatively easy to eat the recommended amount of fiber. Including 1 or 2 high-fiber foods in each meal will help you meet your goal.
High-Fiber Foods
Fruit and vegetables are excellent sources of dietary fiber and provide you with a rich array of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients as an added bonus. Aim for variety in selecting fruit and vegetables to include in your nutrition plan. Keep in mind that whole fruit provides significantly more fiber than fruit juice. Beans are another good option to help you meet your daily fiber goal. In addition to a high concentration of fiber, beans are a good source of protein. Consider substituting beans for meat in some of your dishes to optimize your fiber intake and reduce the amount of fat in your diet. Cereal grains are an important source of dietary fiber. Whole-grain cereal, pasta, bread, rolls and crackers provide more fiber and nutrients than their counterparts made from refined grains. Opting for brown rice instead of white rice also helps boost your fiber intake.
Water
Water is an essential part of an effective, high-fiber diet for diverticulosis. Fiber adds bulk to your stool because it absorbs a large amount of water. If you eat a high-fiber diet but do not drink enough water, you are losing some of the benefit. Drink water or another beverage with every meal and be sure to consume at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water daily.
References
- American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy: Understanding Diverticulosis
- UCSF Medical Center; Diverticular Disease and Diet; February 2011
- Ohio State University Medical Center: Diet for Diverticulosis
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis
- "American Family Physician"; Diverticular Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment; Holly Salzman, M.D., Dustin Lillie, M.D.; October 2005
