Diverticulosis is a condition in which small pouches are developed in the colon. In some cases, there is infection or inflammation in such pouches which results in the so-called diverticulitis.

The prevalence of both diverticulosis and diverticulitis has been observed to be different in developed and non-developed countries. Importantly, this difference has been attributed to the consumption of fibres. In industrialised countries, diets are known to be low in fibre which is in contrast to non-developed countries where people consume high fibre vegetable-based diets. Therefore, fibre has been suggested as a prophylactic approach for diverticulitis. They soften the stools and lower the pressure in the intestine facilitating the passage of the contents.¹ 

 

Evidence about the possible role of commensal microbiota on the development of diverticulitis is limited. Some studies indicate no difference in the microbiota from individuals with or without diverticula.²

 

References

1. Insel et al. (2004). Nutrition, 2nd edition. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett. P 135.

2. Jones et al. (2017) Scientific Reports 8:4951.