What is the cause of diverticular disease?
Many believe a low-fiber diet is the main culprit behind diverticular disease. This disease was initially noticed in America in the early 1900s, around the same time that processed foods were introduced into our diet. Of further support for the low-fiber diet theory is the fact that diverticular disease is common in developed countries where low-fiber diets are consumed. However, it is rare in countries where citizens eat a diet high in fiber. Fiber is the part of grains, fruits, and vegetables that the body cannot digest. While some fiber does dissolve in water (soluble fiber) the other form of fiber does not (insoluble fiber). Nevertheless, both types of fiber remain undigested by the body?s digestive enzymes and pass out of the body by way of the stools. Both types of fiber help make stools soft. When stool is soft, you do not have to strain as hard to have a bowel movement. On the other hand, when the stool is hard, you often have to strain to pass it. This straining increases the
