top of page

Diverticular disease

Lifestyle modifications

Prevention

  • Adequate intake of dietary fiber (1)

  • A vegetarian diet may reduce the risk of symptomatic diverticular disease through decreasing inflammation and altering intestinal microbiota 3)

  • Limiting intake of salt and red meat (1)

  • Regular physical activity, particularly vigorous activity (1, 2)

  • Avoid obesity (1)


NUTRITION

  • Asymptomatic diverticulosis: Increasing dietary fiber may reduce the risk of developing symptomatic diverticulitis (1)

  • Symptomatic mild diverticular disease: Increasing dietary fiber and hydration (1)

  • Symptomatic divertilitis: A low residue (fiber) diet with minimal residues after digestion and absorption including refined bread, cereals, white rice, juice, dairy products (1)


SMOKING

  • Smoking cessation is recommended as smoking increases the risk of diverticular disease and complications (1, 2)


WEIGHT

  • Weight reduction if overweight or obese (1)

References

Resources

Evidence Pyramid

EXPLANATION TO EVIDENCE PRESENTATION

​

Evidence based on guidelines and evidence based Clinical Decision Systems is written in BOLD

​

Evidence based on meta analysis or systematic reviews is written in BOLD and CURSIVE

​

Evidence based on randomized controlled trials is written in plain font

​

Evidence based on observational / cohort studies is written in CURSIVE

Figure: Evidence pyramid

bottom of page