Vegetarians are less likely to suffer from diverticulitis because their diet is high in dietary fiber, reports Passeport Santé.
Diverticulitis is the inflammation of small pockets – diverticula – lining the colon and intestines. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. In the worst cases, it can also cause bleeding and peritonitis.
According to a study published in the British Medical Journal, U.K. researchers at the University of Oxford tracked 47,033 people for 11½ years. One third were vegetarian, the rest were omnivores, including meat.
Vegetarians had 31 percent less risk of developing the disease. However, omnivores who ate a lot of fiber also had a lower risk.
Researchers emphasized additional research is still necessary before dietary recommendations could be applied.
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