Vegetarian Diet Reduces Risk for Bowel Disorder

Following a vegetarian diet and having a high intake of dietary fiber are associated with a lower risk for diverticular disease, according to the results of a prospective cohort study reported online July 19 in the BMJ.

Compared with meat eaters, vegetarians had a 31% lower risk for diverticular disease, after adjustment for confounding variables including smoking, alcohol use, and body mass index.

Overall the opportunity for preventing the occurrence of diverticular disease and other conditions, such as colorectal cancer, probably lies in the modification of diet, at either a population or an individual level. However, far more evidence is needed before dietary recommendations can be made.

- Medscape