Wheat bran has traditionally been recommended as a dietary intervention for diverticular disease, particularly for the prevention and management of symptomatic diverticulosis, but not for acute diverticulitis. The rationale is that wheat bran is high in insoluble fiber, which increases stool bulk and promotes regular bowel movements, thereby reducing intracolonic pressure—a factor thought to contribute to the formation of diverticula. Early observational studies and clinical experience suggested that high-fiber diets, including wheat bran supplementation, were associated with a reduced risk of developing diverticula and fewer symptoms in those with diverticular disease.

However, more recent scientific evidence has called into question the strength of this recommendation. Large, prospective studies, such as those published in the Gastroenterology and Journal of the American Medical Association, have found inconsistent associations between fiber intake and the risk of developing diverticulosis. Nonetheless, there is moderate evidence that fiber supplementation, including wheat bran, may help alleviate symptoms such as constipation and abdominal discomfort in patients with established diverticular disease (but not acute diverticulitis). Most guidelines now suggest a high-fiber diet as a reasonable and low-risk intervention for symptom management, though its efficacy in preventing complications or new diverticula is less certain.

In summary, the use of wheat bran is supported by a combination of tradition and moderate scientific evidence for symptom control in diverticular disease, but not for the acute treatment of diverticulitis or prevention of diverticula formation.