Diverticular disease: threee studies. Part II - Treatment with bran.

Forty patients with diverticular disease were treated with wheat bran 24g/day for at least six months. Thirty-three patients showed a very satisfactory clinical response. Sixty per cent of all symptoms were abolished, and a further 28% were relieved. After treatment the transit times accelerated in patients whose initial times were slower than 60 hours and slowed down in those whose initial transit times were faster than 36 hours. Stool weight increased significantly. The number of intracolonic high pressure waves decreased, especially during and after eating. Barium enema studies showed less spasm in eight patients and no diverticula in three patients after taking bran. As well as relieving the symptoms of diverticular disease a high-fibre diet may also prevent the condition from developing.