The vegetarian diet protects against diverticulitis

The vegetarian diet, rich in fiber, protects against disease typical of our societies sealed by junk food: diverticular disease.

Diverticulitis and diverticulosis: frequent in our intestines

Diverticula are small pouches that can form in the lining of the intestine. Most of the time, the presence of diverticula, called diverticulosis, no problem. It is also common, especially from a certain age: it is estimated that 30-40% of people over age 70 have diverticula. Only 25% of them develop a complication called diverticulitis: inflammation of one or more diverticula. The presence of diverticulitis and diverticular disease is called diverticulosis.

Symptoms and causes diverticulitis

In this case, severe pain occurs, usually on the left side of the abdomen. Complications of diverticulitis are numerous and sometimes serious. It may in fact cause bleeding, as well as infection or bowel obstruction, potentially fatal. The causes of diverticula are not well known. Scientists generally attribute to a lack of fiber, particularly because they are common in industrialized countries. They are against virtually absent in the country where the fibers constitute the bulk of the diet.

Protected vegetarians?

In a recent study, a British team studied more than 47,000 people, more than 15,000 had a vegetarian diet. Both groups were followed for 11 years on average, after which it appeared that vegetarians had a risk of diverticular disease decreased by 31%. This does not mean that we should give up our carnivorous side ... Indeed the simple act of eating a lot of fiber, even continuing to eat meat, is protective.

The consumption of dietary fiber is associated with a reduction in all-cause mortality (cardiovascular, infectious, respiratory, cancer, etc.).

In other words, eating fiber would be a guarantee of longevity.

Conclusion: do not give up, perhaps not entirely meat, but reduce the doses, and replace them with products rich in fiber.