Dynamed Update

Consumption Of Nuts, Corn, Popcorn And Berries Not Associated With Increased Risk For Diverticular Disease

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Consumption of nuts, corn, popcorn, and berries were not associated with an increased risk for diverticular disease in a prospective cohort study (Health Professionals Follow-up Study). Men aged 40-75 years without diverticulosis (or its complications), cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease at baseline (n = 47,228) answered self-administered questionnaires. They were followed every 2 years for medical information and every 4 years for dietary information for 18 years. Comparing men with intake at least twice weekly vs. intake less than once monthly, the risk for diverticulitis was reduced for popcorn and possibly for nuts. There were no associations with corn consumption or with berry consumption (strawberries and blueberries). None of these food groups were associated with diverticular bleeding (JAMA 2008 Aug 27;300(8):907). This study does not establish the safety or risk of specific foods in patients with known diverticulosis, but the presumption is that many participants had unknown diverticulosis and did not appear harmed by ingestion of nuts, corn, popcorn or berries. For more information, see the Diverticulitis or Diverticular bleeding topics in DynaMed.