Ask the Experts: Diverticulitis; Eye Vitamins; Tea Shortage
Q: I’ve read in your newsletter about the benefits of nuts and “seeded” fruits such as blueberries, but I have diverticulitis. Do I need to avoid these healthy foods because of their effects on diverticulitis?
A: Katelyn Castro, a dietetic intern at Tufts’ Frances Stern Nutrition Center, and Joel Mason, MD, a gastroenterologist and professor at Tufts’ Friedman School and medical school, answer: “First, it’s important to differentiate between diverticulitis and diverticulosis. Diverticulosis is a condition that occurs when small pouches (diverticula) form on the inside walls of the large intestine, bulging outwards. While most people with diverticulosis remain symptom-free, others may develop diverticulitis. Diverticulitis occurs when one or more diverticula become inflamed or infected, which may cause cramping, constipation, muscle spasms, nausea and fever. These symptoms often improve within a few days, but the recovery may require, or be facilitated by, a course of appropriate antibiotics.
“When experiencing active diverticulitis, the goal of treatment is to allow the large intestine to rest and heal. For severe attacks, a liquid diet is recommended, including broth, fruit juices, yogurt, fruit purée and pudding. For mild flareups, a low-fiber diet (10-15 grams per day) is recommended, including seedless fruits and vegetables, dairy, low-fiber cereals, tender meat, and refined pasta, bread or rice. Specifically when recovering from active diverticulitis, avoiding nuts, seeds and popcorn is recommended to help prevent further obstruction in the fecal stream.
“Once symptoms improve, you should slowly add fiber back into your diet. Current studies have found that a high-fiber diet (25 grams per day for women, 38 grams per day for men) can reduce development of further diverticuli for individuals with diverticulitis. Fiber may help to keep stools soft, allowing it to pass more easily and prevent buildup of pressure in the large intestine.
“While it seems logical to continue to avoid nuts and seeds even after recovering from diverticulitis, research to date does not support this recommendation. If you still prefer to avoid nuts and seeds, there are many other foods that can contribute to a healthy, high-fiber diet. Whole grains, beans, seedless fruits (apples, pears, melon), seedless vegetables (squash, bell peppers, spinach), and smooth nut and seed products (almond butter, peanut oil, flaxseed oil) are a few healthy and gut-friendly options for individuals with diverticulitis.”
Q: It’s been recommended that I take vitamins for my eyes to help prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Are all supplements labeled “AREDS2 formula” the same? Can you offer any guidance on selecting the best supplement?
A: Allen Taylor, director of Tufts’ HNRCA Laboratory for Nutrition and Vision Research, responds: “Any supplement with 400 IU of vitamin E, 500 milligrams of vitamin C, 12 milligrams of lutein, and some zinc is a good approximation of the AREDS [Age-Related Eye Disease Study] formula. The formula is recommended only for persons with incipient disease. Non-affected people with a good diet do not need a supplement.”
Q: How long can you store tea before it starts to lose its taste and nutritional benefits?
A: Diane L. McKay, PhD, an assistant professor at Tufts’ Friedman School who studies antioxidant foods such as tea, replies: “Black, oolong, green and white teas all come from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. They differ in how the leaves are processed after harvesting and before drying. All will eventually lose their flavor, and the phytochemicals (primarily flavonoids) they contain will degrade.
“Dried tea leaves that are kept dry will not spoil, however, and as long as they are stored away from heat, water, light and air, the flavor and phytochemical content can be maintained for up to two years.
“The more fermented and intact the dried leaves are, the longer they will last. Black tea leaves are more fermented than green or white, and oolong is somewhere in between. Measures of intactness vary from leaf, to broken leaf, to fannings and dust. Fannings are small pieces of leaves, while dust is the tiny particles left at the bottom of the barrel.
“Tea bags most often contain fannings and dust because they brew quickly. Some tea bags do contain whole leaves, but they tend to be larger, to allow the leaves room to expand.
“To keep your tea flavorful and flavonoid-rich for one to two years, transfer your tea bags or leaves to an airtight container as soon as possible after purchase, and store it away from the stove and sink.”
The post Ask the Experts: Diverticulitis; Eye Vitamins; Tea Shortage appeared first on University Health News.
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