Primary prevention

Diverticular disease may be prevented by increasing dietary fibre intake, with generous consumption of fruits and vegetables, limiting red meat and salt consumption, undertaking regular physical activity to maintain ideal body weight, and avoiding obesity.[23][43][44]

Secondary prevention

No established guidelines are available for secondary prevention of diverticular disease. However, promoting general health measures such as regular physical activity, increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, and decreasing consumption of saturated fats, red meats, and sugar will improve cardiovascular health and may decrease prevalence of diverticular disease.[12]​[66]​​​

Mesalazine, probiotics, or rifaximin are not recommended for the prevention of recurrent diverticulitis.[12][101] Evidence shows that mesalazine does not reduce the risk of recurrence.[102] [ Cochrane Clinical Answers logo ] There is insufficient evidence for the use of rifaximin, mesalazine and rifaximin in combination, balsalazide (a 5-aminosalicylic acid prodrug) and probiotics in combination, or burdock tea.[101][102]

Do not offer an aminosalicylate or antibiotics to prevent recurrent acute diverticulitis.[39]

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