Diverticular disease happens when small pouches form in your colon (large intestine), causing pain and discomfort. Scientists reviewed research showing that eating more fiber and plant-based foods rich in special compounds called polyphenols might help prevent these pouches from forming and reduce symptoms. While the evidence looks promising, researchers say we need more studies to understand exactly how much fiber and which foods work best for different people. This review suggests that changing your diet could be an important way to manage this common digestive problem.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How eating fiber and plant compounds affects diverticular disease, a condition where small pouches form in your colon and cause pain
  • Who participated: This was a review of existing research, not a new study with participants. Scientists looked at many previous studies about fiber, plants, and gut health
  • Key finding: Eating more fiber and foods rich in polyphenols (plant compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains) appears to help prevent diverticula from forming and may reduce symptoms in people who already have the condition
  • What it means for you: If you have or want to prevent diverticular disease, eating more fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, and whole grains may help. However, talk to your doctor before making big diet changes, especially if you already have symptoms

The Research Details

This is a narrative review, which means scientists read and summarized many different research studies about fiber, polyphenols, and diverticular disease. Instead of doing a new experiment, the researchers looked at what other scientists had already discovered and tried to find patterns and common themes.

The review focused on understanding how fiber and polyphenols work in your body to protect your colon. Fiber affects how your intestines move and the consistency of your stool, while polyphenols are special compounds in plants that fight inflammation and damage in your gut.

Because this is a review rather than a new study, the researchers couldn’t control variables or follow specific people over time. Instead, they gathered information from many different types of studies to paint a bigger picture of what the evidence suggests.

This type of review is important because it helps doctors and patients understand what we know so far about treating diverticular disease with diet. By looking at many studies together, scientists can see if there are consistent patterns that suggest fiber and plant foods really do help. This information can guide future research and help people make informed choices about their diet.

This is a narrative review, which means it summarizes existing research but doesn’t use strict mathematical methods to combine results like some other reviews do. The researchers note that existing studies have differences in how they were done and what they measured, making it hard to draw firm conclusions. The review is published in a respected medical journal, which is a good sign, but the findings should be seen as ‘promising’ rather than ‘proven’ until more rigorous studies are completed.

What the Results Show

The review found that low fiber intake appears to be a major risk factor for developing diverticular disease. Fiber helps your colon work properly by affecting how muscles contract and how stool moves through your intestines. When you don’t eat enough fiber, the pressure in your colon can increase, which may lead to small pouches forming in weak spots of the colon wall.

Polyphenols, which are natural compounds found in colorful fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and tea, appear to have protective effects. These compounds fight inflammation and oxidative stress (a type of cellular damage) in your gut. They also appear to help feed the good bacteria in your digestive system, which may further protect your intestinal health.

The review suggests that a diet rich in both fiber and polyphenol-containing foods may help prevent diverticular disease from developing and may reduce symptoms in people who already have it. However, the researchers emphasize that different people may need different amounts of fiber and different types of foods based on their individual situation.

The review also found that polyphenols may help maintain the integrity of your intestinal lining, preventing harmful substances from passing through. Additionally, these plant compounds appear to improve the balance of bacteria in your gut microbiome, which plays an important role in overall digestive health and immune function. The research suggests that personalized nutrition approaches—tailoring fiber and polyphenol intake to individual needs—may be more effective than one-size-fits-all recommendations.

This review builds on decades of research showing that Western diets low in fiber are associated with higher rates of diverticular disease. The newer finding is that polyphenols and their effects on gut bacteria may be just as important as fiber alone. Previous research focused mainly on fiber quantity, but this review highlights that the quality of foods (particularly plant-based foods with polyphenols) matters significantly. The evidence suggests we should think about diet as a comprehensive approach rather than just adding fiber supplements.

The researchers note several important limitations. First, the existing studies they reviewed used different methods and measured different things, making it hard to compare results directly. Second, most studies were small and didn’t follow people for very long periods. Third, it’s difficult to separate the effects of fiber from polyphenols since they often come in the same foods. Finally, the review couldn’t determine the exact amount of fiber or which specific polyphenol-rich foods work best for different people. More large, well-designed studies are needed to answer these questions.

The Bottom Line

Based on current evidence, eating more fiber-rich foods (vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes) and polyphenol-rich foods (berries, leafy greens, nuts, tea, whole grains) appears to help prevent and manage diverticular disease. Aim to gradually increase fiber intake to 25-35 grams per day, drinking plenty of water as you do. This recommendation has moderate confidence because the evidence is promising but not yet definitive. If you have active symptoms, consult your doctor before making dietary changes.

This research matters most for people who have diverticular disease or want to prevent it, especially those over 40 (when the condition becomes more common) or those with a family history of the disease. People eating typical Western diets low in fiber should particularly pay attention. However, if you have severe diverticular disease with complications, you should follow your doctor’s specific recommendations rather than self-treating with diet alone.

You may notice improvements in symptoms within 2-4 weeks of increasing fiber and plant-based foods, though some people take longer. For disease prevention, consistent dietary changes over months and years appear to be most effective. Don’t expect overnight results—think of this as a long-term lifestyle change rather than a quick fix.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily fiber intake (target 25-35g) and servings of polyphenol-rich foods (aim for 5+ servings of colorful fruits and vegetables daily). Also monitor digestive symptoms like bloating, pain, or changes in bowel habits to see if they improve over time.
  • Use the app to set a goal of adding one new high-fiber or polyphenol-rich food to your diet each week. For example: swap white bread for whole grain, add berries to breakfast, or include leafy greens in lunch. Log these additions and rate how you feel afterward.
  • Create a weekly check-in where you log your fiber sources, symptom severity (on a 1-10 scale), and energy levels. Over 8-12 weeks, you’ll see patterns showing whether dietary changes are helping your symptoms. Share this data with your doctor to guide personalized recommendations.

This review summarizes research about diet and diverticular disease but is not a substitute for medical advice. Diverticular disease can be serious and requires professional diagnosis and treatment. Before making significant dietary changes, especially if you have symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, or changes in bowel habits, consult your healthcare provider. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace personalized medical guidance from your doctor or registered dietitian.