From the Guidelines
There is no direct connection between heavy alcohol consumption and developing diverticulosis, as the primary causes are low-fiber diets, aging, genetic factors, and increased pressure within the colon. While alcohol can irritate existing diverticula and potentially trigger symptoms in people who already have diverticular disease, it is not considered a primary cause of the condition. According to a recent study 1, alcoholism, but not alcohol consumption by itself, increases the risk of diverticulitis. The study highlights that a prudent dietary pattern, high in fiber from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, and low in red meat and sweets, is associated with a decreased risk of incident diverticulitis. Some key points to consider for preventing diverticular disease include:
- Consuming a high-fiber diet, with a daily intake of 25-30 grams, as suggested by a study on dietary fiber in Europe 1
- Staying well-hydrated
- Exercising regularly, particularly vigorous physical activity
- Maintaining a healthy weight, as obesity and central obesity are risk factors for diverticulitis 1 These lifestyle modifications are more important than alcohol restriction for diverticular disease prevention, though moderate alcohol consumption is generally advisable for overall health. It's essential to focus on proven preventive measures rather than solely restricting alcohol consumption.
From the Research
Connection between Heavy Alcohol Consumption and Diverticulosis
- There is evidence suggesting a mild association between high alcohol intake and the development of diverticulosis 2, 3, 4.
- A study found that women who consumed ≥30 g/d of alcohol had a multivariate hazard ratio of 1.26 for diverticulitis compared to non-drinkers 3.
- Another study reported that high alcohol intake seems to be associated with a mild increase in the risk of diverticulosis, while alcohol dependence may be related to a lower risk of in-hospital mortality due to acute diverticulitis 2, 4.
- However, the relationship between alcohol consumption and diverticulosis is still not fully understood and may be influenced by other factors such as diet and lifestyle 5, 6.
Dietary Factors and Diverticulosis
- A high-fiber diet may not prevent diverticulosis, but it may play a role in reducing the risk of diverticulitis 5, 6.
- Red meat consumption, especially unprocessed red meat, may be associated with an increased risk of acute diverticulitis 2, 4.
- Fish intake may be associated with a reduced risk of diverticulitis, although the evidence is not consistent 2, 4.
- A Western dietary pattern, characterized by high red meat and low fiber intake, may be associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis 6.