The Diverticulitis Myth That Won’t Die
You’ve probably heard it before—from a doctor, a friend, or an old wives’ tale: “If you have diverticulosis, stay away from nuts and seeds or you’ll trigger an attack.”
It’s advice that’s been repeated for decades. But a major new study just proved something shocking: That rule might be completely wrong.
And worse, following it may be distracting people from what really helps prevent diverticulitis in the first place.
Researchers analyzed data from nearly 30,000 women in a long-term health study known as The Sister Study. These women had no prior history of diverticulitis and reported detailed information about their diets and lifestyle habits.
What they found was stunning…
Eating peanuts, tree nuts, seeds, or even fresh fruits with edible seeds—like tomatoes and strawberries—did not increase the risk of developing diverticulitis. In fact, there was no meaningful association at all.
That means the idea that these foods might get “stuck” in diverticula and cause inflammation appears to be just another outdated myth.
Instead, the women who had the lowest risk of developing diverticulitis were those with the healthiest overall diets. Specifically, women who ate in line with the DASH diet, the Healthy Eating Index (HEI), or the Mediterranean-style diet all saw a reduced risk.
Here’s the real takeaway:
- A diet rich in whole foods, leafy greens, fruits, and healthy fats protects your gut
- Restricting harmless foods like nuts, seeds, or tomatoes is unnecessary—and possibly harmful if it leads to nutrient deficiencies
- Old dietary myths persist, but the data tells a different story
Nearly one in three women who developed diverticulitis in the study ended up hospitalized. A significant number required surgery. This is a serious condition—but it’s also one where prevention is within reach.
And that’s what we’re here for.
At e-Alert, we believe in natural prevention and evidence-based strategies that actually work—not hearsay from the internet or outdated rules that just won’t die.
So the next time someone warns you about strawberries or almonds, remember this: A bowl of mixed nuts may not be your enemy. But a lifetime of bad advice could be.
To busting myths,
Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team
P.S. If you’re looking for more proven strategies to protect your digestive health, stay tuned. We’re always watching the latest research—and separating the facts from fiction—so you don’t have to.
Sources:
Staff, M. (2025, May 23). Nuts, seeds did not trigger diverticulitis in women, study finds. Acponline.org. https://gastroenterology.acponline.org/archives/2025/05/23/2.htm
