Diverticulitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders in people 40 and older. It can cause constant pain and really affect the quality of life of people who suffer from it. But there’s one nutrient that’s important for managing diverticulitis, and preventing it from happening in the first place: Fiber. 

OK, we’ll start with the question we know is on your mind: What even is diverticulitis? Well, it’s the inflammation or infection of little pockets in your intestinal lining called diverticula. Diverticula are pretty common and typically harmless, but 💩can hit the fan when they get infected. Pun intended. Genetics, certain medications, and a poor diet can cause diverticulitis, and it’s not exactly a fun time. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, constipation, and diarrhea. 

95 percent of Americans don’t get near the FDA-recommended dietary fiber intake because it’s pretty hard to do. 

Fortunately, fiber is great at helping out with gastrointestinal issues. When it comes to diverticulitis, however, timing is extremely important—it’s not as simple as eating more whole grains. If you’re currently experiencing diverticulitis, it’s best to reduce your fiber intake. Fiber will promote intestinal activity, and since yours is inflamed, you want things to chill out down there. 

If you want to prevent diverticulitis from happening, and maintain a healthy gut in general, then you should increase your fiber intake. The FDA recommends up to 38 grams per day for men under age 50 and 25 grams per day for women under age 50. For adults over 50 years, it’s recommended that men take 30 grams of dietary fiber per day and women take 21 grams of dietary fiber.  

Easy, right? Not exactly. 95 percent of Americans don’t get near the FDA-recommended dietary fiber intake because it’s pretty hard to do. You could eat 7 apples a day and still not get enough fiber. That’s where fiber supplements can be a huge help. Each serving of Bellway fiber supplements contains 18 percent of the fiber you need in a day. Plus, it contains no artificial ingredients, sweeteners, dyes, or any other icky stuff. If you’re hoping to prevent diverticulitis and keep your gut happy, ask your doctor if Bellway could be right for you.