(August 26, 2008 - Insidermedicine) Eating popcorn, nuts and corn does not increase the risk of developing diverticulitis, and may even help prevent the condition, according to research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Here are some facts about diverticulitis:

•    It is a condition in which pouches develop in the sides of the colon and then become inflamed and/or infected.

•    Doctors are not sure what causes diverticulitis, but it is believed that a low fiber diet contributes to the development of the condition.

•    The most common sign of diverticulitis is stomach pain, especially on the lower left side, that usually increases with movement.

Researchers from the University of Washington looked at the association between eating nuts, corn, and popcorn and diverticular disease among nearly 50,000 men aged 40 to 75. Participants were followed between 1986 and 2004 regarding their medical status and diet.

After adjusting for risk factors, men who ate the most nuts actually had a 20% reduced risk for diverticular disease than those who ate the fewest nuts. Those who ate the most popcorn had a 28% reduced risk of diverticulitis compared with those who ate the least, while eating corn had no impact.

Today's research refutes the long-held belief that eating nuts, popcorn, and corn can increase the risk for diverticulitis. In fact, nuts and popcorn may even reduce the risk.

For Insidermedicine in Depth, I'm Dr. Susan Sharma.