Dietary changes once recommended for avoiding a condition called diverticulitis are likely unnecessary—or even counterproductive. Pockets or pouches can form in the walls of the colon. This is called diverticulosis. If these pockets become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis. Diverticulitis can be extremely painful, and severe cases may require hospitalization or surgery. People who have had diverticulitis are often advised to avoid eating foods with high particulate matter (pieces that can get stuck in the pouches). This includes nuts, seeds, fresh fruits with small seeds like raw tomatoes and strawberries, and corn. This advice is based on limited evidence, and the effectiveness is not well studied, particularly in women.
