What Causes Diverticulitis?

6. Processed Foods and Red Meat

Many Americans consume large amounts of processed foods and red meat in their diets. The consumption of refined grains, sweets, fried foods, high-fat dairy products, and red meat may lead to a higher incidence of diverticulitis. Chemicals and preservatives present in processed foods can harm an individual’s gut microbiome, bacteria that play a crucial role in healthy digestion. Eating too much processed meat causes alterations in the gut, which may also contribute to diverticulitis. Additionally, many processed foods are high in calories and low in nutritional value, which causes weight gain.