Do I really need to avoid nuts, seeds, and popcorn if I have diverticulitis?
Ask the doctor
Q. I recently had diverticulitis. I have read different recommendations regarding diet advice. For example, should I avoid nuts, popcorn, and foods with seeds?
A. As we age, many of us develop small pouches that bulge out of the lining of our lower intestine. The pouches are called diverticula. And the condition is known as diverticulosis.
Sometimes an infection develops in one of the diverticula. This causes abdominal pain, often with fever. That's diverticulitis.
For many decades, there was a widely held belief that a piece of nut, popcorn, or large seed could get stuck in the opening of the diverticula. And that this could lead to diverticulitis.
But a study testing this belief showed some surprising results. More than 47,000 men ages 40 to 75 kept track of their food intake over 18 years. None had diverticulosis at the start of the study.
Men who ate more nuts and popcorn actually had fewer cases of diverticulitis. The study results were published in JAMA.
During an episode of diverticulitis, the bowel needs to rest. So during this time, I recommend a low-fiber diet. But once it's over, getting sufficient fiber in your diet and drinking plenty of fluids may help prevent more pouches from forming.
A good diet to follow is a Mediterranean-style diet. It's loaded with lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. As for nuts and popcorn — enjoy!
Image: © AaronAmat/Getty Images
About the Author
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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