If you have diverticulosis, your doctor may suggest you avoid all nuts, seeds and corn, and any foods containing these ingredients, like tomatoes, cucumbers and strawberries. However, it is now no longer necessary for you to avoid these foods when you have this disease unless you notice that they give you problems. In fact, including nuts, seeds and corn in your diet when you have diverticulosis may help prevent problems.
Diverticular Disease
Diverticular disease is a common digestive disorder, effecting one-third of U.S. adults over the age of 60, according to a 2008 study published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association." It is characterized by small pouches that line the colon, and bulge outward in weakened spots. Diverticulosis is a form of the disease that causes minimal discomfort, such as bloating, gas or constipation and requires minimal treatment, including regular visits to your doctor and a high-fiber diet. Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when one of the pockets becomes inflamed and infected, causing pain. Treatment for diverticulitis requires bowel rest and antibiotics.
Nuts, Seeds or Corn Diet
Patients with diverticulosis were told to avoid nuts, seeds and corn to prevent diverticulitis. It was believed that these hard to digest foods would get caught in the diverticular pockets, damaging the tissue, causing bleeding and infection. However, the exact cause of diverticulitis is not understood, and research indicates that avoiding these foods does not increase your risk. A 2008 prospective cohort study published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" of more than 47,000 men investigated whether the consumption of nuts, seeds or corn increased risk of diverticulitis. The research was based on a self-administered medical and dietary questionnaire. The investigators found no association between nut, seed or corn consumption and diverticulitis. In fact, the investigators found an inverse relationship between popcorn and nut consumption, and diverticulitis.
Current Diet for Diverticular Disease
Your diet for diverticular disease depends on whether you are experiencing an acute episode of diverticulitis or managing your diverticulosis. For diverticulitis, it is recommended that you first rest your bowel by following a clear liquid diet, an easy to digest diet that provides some nutrition and helps keep you hydrated. As your symptoms improve, your doctor will advance your diet to an easy to digest low-fiber diet, that includes soft fruits, soft cooked vegetables, refined flour food products and tender meats. To manage your diverticulosis, it is recommended that you follow a high-fiber diet, including fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, whole grains and legumes.
Considerations
As high-fiber foods, including nuts, seeds and corn in your diet can help you manage your diverticulosis, and it is no longer recommended that you eliminate these foods from your diet. However, if you notice an increase in diverticular symptoms, abdominal pain, gas or constipation, after consuming these foods, you should talk to your doctor about whether you should include them in your diet or not.
References
- Journal of the American Medical Association; Nut, Corn and Popcorn Consumption and the Incidence of Diverticular Disease; Lisa Strate, et al.; August 2008
- RD411; Diverticular Disease Diet; March 2011
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders; Diverticulosis and Diverticulitis; July 2008
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