Eating red meat can cause diverticulitis

by Stepy — January 17, 2017

Eating red meat can cause diverticulitis, according to the latest research from the British Medical Journal. This adds to the growing list of negative effects of high red meat consumption.

A high dietary intake of red meat, particularly unprocessed, is linked to a greater risk of the common inflammatory bowel condition.

The Mayo Clinic explains the details of diverticulitis:

Diverticula are small, bulging pouches that can form in the lining of your digestive system. They are found most often in the lower part of the large intestine (colon). Diverticula are common, especially after age 40, and seldom cause problems.

Sometimes, however, one or more of the pouches become inflamed or infected. That condition is known as diverticulitis (die-vur-tik-yoo-LIE-tis). Diverticulitis can cause severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea and a marked change in your bowel habits.

Despite the rising prevalence of diverticulitis, not much is known about the cause of the condition. Smoking, obesity, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use, and sedentary lifestyles are believed to play a role, along with low dietary fiber intake.

The researchers assessed the impact of overall intake of red meat, poultry, and fish on the risk of developing diverticulitis in nearly 46,500 men.

During the 26 year monitoring period of the study, 764 men developed diverticulitis.

Those who ate more red meat also tended to use more NSAIDs, smoked more, and were less likely to exercise. They also had lower fiber intake.

The highest level of red meat consumption was also associated with a 58 percent higher risk of developing diverticulitis.

The researchers concluded: “Red meat intake, particularly unprocessed red meat, was associated with an increased risk of diverticulitis. The findings provide practical dietary guidance for patients at risk of diverticulitis.”

The study showing that eating red meat can cause diverticulitis was published in the journal Gut.

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REFERENCES:
1. “High Dietary Red Meat Intake Linked to Common Bowel Condition Diverticulitis.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2017.
2. “Meat Intake and Risk of Diverticulitis among Men.” Gut. BMJ, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2017.
3. “Diverticulitis.” Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, n.d. Web. 16 Jan. 2017.