High-Fiber Diet May Raise – Not Lower – Risk Of Diverticulosis

Though it has been the prevailing wisdom for four decades, a U.S. study finds that eating a high-fiber diet does not reduce the risk of diverticulosis – pouch formation – in the large intestine. In fact, consuming a diet high in fiber seems to increase the risk of diverticulosis, which affects a third of adults over age 60 and can be harmful if complications develop. The study was based on data from 2,104 patients aged 30-80 years who underwent outpatient colonoscopy from 1998-2010. "We were surprised to find that a low-fiber diet was not associated with a higher prevalence of asymptomatic diverticulosis," one researcher said.