Nuts and Popcorn: OK for the Colon?

Millions of Americans who suffer from the uncomfortable intestinal disorder diverticulosis — more than half of the population will develop it in older age — have been told for decades to avoid eating popcorn, nuts, and that all-American favorite, corn on the cob, because those foods may compound the disorder. But a new study released this week suggests that these foods may not increase diverticulosis risk, and that in fact people who eat lots of nuts and popcorn have lower rates of the disease than others.