Diet and diverticular disease in Oxford cohort of European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC): prospective study of British vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

Generous intake of vegetarian and high-fiber diets may cut down diverticular disease risk.

This study evaluated the correlation between diet and the occurrence of diverticular disease. Using validated food frequency questionnaires, researchers examined the diets of 47,033 English and Scottish men and women recruited from the Oxford cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). The diverticular disease odds ratio of each subject was also measured.

Researchers found a low incidence of diverticular disease among subjects who regularly consumed vegetarian and high-fiber diets compared to those with high dietary meat intake. Consistent consumption of vegetarian and high-fiber diets was observed to lower diverticular disease risk by 31% and 41% respectively in this study. The results of this study suggest that high intake of vegetarian and high-fiber diets may play a significant role in the prevention of diverticular disease.