Diverticulosis and diverticulitis, both of which are linked to a lack of fiber in the diet.
While diverticulosis and its disorders can be mainly controlled by diet, diverticulitis and its disorders demand not only a specific diet based mainly on fiber and fluids, but also behaviors and habits within a lifestyle aimed at preventing more critical situations with less controllable symptoms.
So for both conditions, diet, medical therapy, a non-stressful lifestyle system that provides room for the patient to rest and recover are recommended.
Having had careless eating habits for years, eating fiber-free foods that do not even require special chewing, industrially packaged and quick-use, white and non-wholemeal bread and thus no fiber, has not helped the intestines to perform their functions but rather have greatly contributed to lagging and progressively weakening them.
The risk of suffering from this condition is definitely related to certain factors such as age, histories of obesity or constipation, a sedentary lifestyle, and of course eating habits.
The action of the fibers is of particular relevance as digestion improves and softer stools are produced that pass more easily through the colon without stressing the muscles. A diet without fiber produces as an effect harder stools that generate constipation and travel with more difficulty through the intestinal tract, putting a strain on the intestinal portions, which can give way in some places resulting in the typical sacs called diverticula, which can fill with stagnating stools, leading to inflammatory states.
What foods contain fiber?
Beans, Lentils, Chickpeas, Peas, Mixed vegetables, Spinach, Soybeans, Almonds, Blackberries, Raspberries, Apples, Blackberries.
Bacteria also play a significant role in maintaining intestinal function, so in addition to fiber, yogurts, such as those made from kefir, also contribute helpful bacteria to intestinal processing.
In the same way, a careful diet should avoid red meat, fatty and hard-to-digest foods or even overcooked or over-processed foods, alcohol and foods containing full of sugar.
An appropriate diet coupled with a consistent habit of moderate exercise will be able to mitigate symptoms, making the disease less aggressive and improving quality of life.
