Fibre is important for your diet, helping your digestive system to work effectively. But it does so much more than just that – it helps to lower your cholesterol, aids weight loss and regulates your blood sugar levels. Studies have also shown that it can help to reduce the risk of some illnesses, such as diabetes, certain cancers and heart disease! Many people don’t get enough fibre in their diet, which can lead to digestive complications and constipation. If this is left untreated for too long, it can cause a health concern known as diverticulosis, which causes pockets to form along the intestinal walls. These can become inflamed and infected in severe cases, leading to extreme pain.
Diverticulosis is mainly caused through a lack of fibre in the diet, however there are other factors which contribute such as obesity, smoking, limited exercise and those over the age of 40. The main cause of this condition is due to the walls of the bowel becoming looser and losing strength, which puts pressure on the digestive system. This leads to the condition forming. Research has shown that eating certain foods like nuts and corn doesn’t impact the risk of developing diverticula, as previously thought – in fact, they can help to reduce the risk, particularly in men.
There are few symptoms for diverticulosis, which makes it difficult to diagnose, but you’ll notice feelings of sharp intense pain in the abdomen if you are suffering with a bout of it. Other symptoms include a fever, nausea and either constipation or diarrhoea. You can prevent the condition by drinking plenty of fluids each day and ensuring that you get enough fibre – this will help your body to move waste out of the digestive tract. In women, the recommended dose is between 25 and 30g, and up to 35g in men. Getting plenty of fruit and vegetables is the easiest way to pack your diet with plenty of dietary fibre, as well as nuts, wholemeal bread and seeds.