Diverticulosis is a gastrointestinal disease characterized by diverticula, pouches that form in your colon, a part of your large intestine that facilitates the removal of waste. These pouches bulge out and can become inflamed. Waste passing through your colon can fill the bulge, making it difficult for you to eliminate, which can cause constipation and growth of pathological bacterial and exacerbate your symptoms. Consult your doctor about which foods you should avoid eating.
Refined Grains
Eating low fiber foods, such as refined grains, is the primary cause for diverticulosis. Refined grains, such as white bread and white rice, have minimal amounts of insoluble fiber, whereas whole grains have high amounts of fiber. A low fiber diet increases the amount of time it takes for the transit of waste through your intestinal tract, increasing pressure in your colon and your risk for diverticulosis, according to research by scientists at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts and published in the "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology" in 2006. The scientists also report that between 10 and 25 percent of patients can develop diverticulitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the pouches, which can cause pain and irritation.
Processed Meats
Processed meats are very low in fiber and may increase your risk of colon and rectal cancers. Research by scientists at Gifu University School of Medicine in Gifu, Japan and published in the "Cancer Letters" in 2006 reports that high consumption of processed meat increases your risk of colon cancer, compared with low consumption of processed meat. Processed meats that you should avoid include bacon, bologna, salami, hot dogs, liverwurst, sausage, pepperoni, pastrami and beef jerky.
Dairy
Dairy products are also low in fiber. Drinking whole or low fat milk and eating cheese, sour cream, ice cream and yogurt may provide your body with protein, calcium and saturated fat. Yet, dairy does not speed up the transit of waste in your colon, increasing your risk of constipation, which can exacerbate the symptoms of diverticulosis. Nonetheless, dairy products that are fermented with Bifidobacterium lactis strain DN-173 010 are effective in increasing the frequency of stools in children who experience constipation and defecate less than 3 stools per week, according to research by scientists at Emma's Children's Hospital and Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and published in "BMC Pediatrics" in 2009.
Cooked Vegetables
Raw vegetables are a rich source of fiber, yet cooked vegetable lose nutritional value, including fiber, during heating. Boiling removes more nutrients and fiber quality from vegetables, such as carrots and spinach, than steaming. Removing the skin of vegetables may also reduce the fiber content. Eating a high fiber diet with plentiful amounts of fruit and vegetable fiber and low in red meat and fat, may reduce your symptoms and complications of diverticulosis, according to research by scientists at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and published in the "Journal of Family Practice" in 2006.
References
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; What I Need to Know About Diverticular Disease; 2007
- "Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology"; Case Closed? Diverticulitis: Epidemiology and Fiber; Joshua Korzenik; Aug 2006
- "Cancer Letters"; The Relationship between the Consumption of Meat, Fat, and Coffee and the Risk of Colon Cancer: A Prospective Study in Japan; Shino Oba, et al.; Dec 8 2006
- "BMC Pediatrics"; Effect of the Consumption of a Fermented Dairy Product Containing Bifidobacterium Lactis Dn-173 010 on Constipation in Childhood: A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial (Ntrtc: 1571); Merit Tabbers, et al.; 2009
- "Journal of Family Practice"; Clinical Inquiries. What Is the Most Beneficial Diet for Patients with Diverticulosis?; Anne Eglash, et al.; Sep 2006
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