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Every year, diverticulosis and complications arising out of it, lead to an expenditure of around $2.5 billion in the U.S. alone. It is a disease related with considerable morbidity. For a long time now, it was believed that a diet rich in fibers offered protection against intestinal diverticulosis, which leads to pouching of the colon. However, a recent study, published in the journal Gastroenterology, has found that a high fiber diet may actually be leading to diverticulosis.

 

The study was led by researchers from the University of North Carolina. It was carried out with the purpose of determining whether a low fiber and high fat diet along with constipation and low levels of physical activity, can increase the risk of asymptomatic diverticulosis. The researchers analyzed the diet and physical activity of 2104 patients who underwent colonoscopy between the years 1998 and 2010. All the patients were in between the ages of 30 and 80, and the information was collected through patient interviews.

 

The researchers noted that the incidence of diverticulosis increases with advancing age. But they were surprised to note that the incidence of diverticulosis was the highest in patients who had the highest intake of fibers in their diet. It was also seen that contrary to popular belief, constipation does not increases the risk of diverticulosis. Patients having a bowel movement of more than 15 times per week had a higher incidence of diverticulosis compared to patients with a bowel movement of less than 7. Moreover, high intake of fat or reduced physical activity did not have any bearing on the risk of diverticulosis.

 

 Although the exact reason behind the development of diverticulosis remains a mystery, scientists opine that the gut flora may be playing a role. With the results of the latest study in hand, researchers feel that it is time when the risk factors associated with diverticulosis are reconsidered.

 

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