irritate the diverticula. However, no scientific evidence
support this opinion. The seeds in tomatoes, zucchini,
cucumbers, strawberries, and raspberries, as well as
poppy seeds, are generally considered harmless. An
eating plan for diverticular disease is usually based
on what works best for each person. To help the
colon rest, the treating physician may also recommend
bed rest and a liquid diet.Function
Fiber is the edible part of fruits, vegetables, and
grains that the body cannot digest. Since they are not
absorbed into the body, dietary fibers are not consid-ered a nutrient. Some fiber dissolves easily in water
and becomes soft in the intestines, while insoluble fiber
passes almost unchanged through the intestines. Both
kinds of fiber are required to make stools soft and easy
to pass. Fiber also prevents constipation, which makes
the bowel muscles strain to move stool that is too hard.
It is believed to be the main cause of increased pressure
in the colon that may cause the weak colon spots to
bulge out and become diverticula.
Many plant foods contain both soluble and
insoluble fibers. For example, psyllium husks, contain
a mixture of 70% soluble and 30% insoluble fibers.
Despite the general use of the terms ‘‘soluble’’ andKEY TERMS
Abdomen—Part of the body that extends from the
chest to the groin.
Abdominal cavity—The hollow part of the body that
extends from the chest to the groin. It is located
between the diaphragm, which is the thin muscle
below the lungs and heart, and the pelvis, the basin-
shaped cavity that contains the reproductive organs,
bladder, and rectum. The abdominal cavity contains
the abdominal organs.
Bile—Digestive juice secreted by the liver and
stored in the gallbladder; helps in the digestion of
fats.
Colon—Part of the large intestine, located in the
abdominal cavity. It consists of the ascending colon,
the transverse colon, the descending colon, and the
sigmoid colon.
Diverticulitis—Inflammation of the small pouches
(diverticula) that can form in the weakened muscular
wall of the large intestine.
Feces—Waste product of digestion formed in the
large intestine. About 75% of its mass is water, the
remainder is protein, fat, undigested roughage, dried
digestive juices, dead cells, and bacteria.
Gastrointestinal tract (GI tract)—The tube connect-
ing and including the organs and paths responsible
for processing food in the body. These are the mouth,
the esophagus, the stomach, the liver, the gallblad-
der, the pancreas, the small intestine, the large intes-
tine, and the rectum.
Immune system—The integrated body system of
organs, tissues, cells, and cell products such as anti-
bodies that protects the body from foreign organisms
or substances.Inflammation—A response of body tissues to injury
or irritation characterized by pain and swelling and
redness and heat.
Insoluble—That cannot be dissolved.
Insulin—A hormone secreted by the pancreas and
required for the regulation of the metabolism of car-
bohydrates and fats.
Intestinal flora—The sum of all bacteria and
fungi that live in the intestines. It is required to
break down nutrients, fight off pathogens and helps
the body build the vitamin E and K. An unbalanced
intestinal flora can lead to many health problems.
Inulin—Naturally occurring oligosaccharides (sev-
eral simple sugars linked together) produced by
many types of plants. They belong to a class of car-
bohydrates known as fructans.
Large intestine—The terminal part of the digestive
system, site of water recycling, nutrient absorption,
and waste processing located in the abdominal cavity.
It consists of the caecum, the colon, and the rectum.
Mucilage—A sticky substance used as an adhesive.
A gummy substance obtained from certain plants.
Nutrient—A chemical compound (such as protein,
fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, or minerals) that make
up foods. These compounds are used by the body to
function and grow.
Soluble—Capable of being dissolved.
Syndrome X—A group of risk factors that together,
put someone at higher risk of coronary artery disease.
These risk factors include: central obesity (excessive
fat tissue in the abdominal region), glucose intoler-
ance, high triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol,
and high blood pressure.Diverticular disease diet