Last Updated on March 12, 2024 by admin
Gluten can be found in many products, from your favorite bread to your morning cereals, Play-Doh, and cosmetic products. The gluten-free diet is more and more popular, either a choice or a necessity, and people choose it for various reasons. Usually associated with health benefits, the diet can bring a lot to a person if appropriately followed. The market is now wide open to cater to those who decide to take gluten out of their plates, and the aisles of supermarkets are full of gluten-free labeled packaging. But who is concerned about this diet, and why go gluten-free? There are some good reasons for eliminating gluten, and here are a few examples.
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Wheat Is a Common Allergy
People who are allergic to wheat find themselves wondering: are cheerios gluten free? Is soy sauce gluten-free? And that is because the grain is in so many things and is sometimes hard to detect. The symptoms of that allergy can vary from stomach aches to rashes, irritation, stuffy nose, headaches, and anaphylaxis in some severe, rarer cases. People with wheat allergies might look for labeled and guaranteed gluten-free products to simplify and be safer. This precaution is also taken to ensure that even a wheat-less product is not cross-contaminated.
People With Celiac Disease Can Not Eat Gluten
Celiac disease is an immune reaction in the small intestine to ingest gluten. The intestine lining gets damaged and prevents the proper absorption of nutrients. Symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain are common. People with Celiac are among those who have no choice but to follow a gluten-free diet.
A Gluten-free Diet Can Help You Maintain a Healthier Weight.
You probably have heard that before, which is partly why this diet became so popular. It has to be taken with a grain of salt, though. Eliminating gluten from your diet can be tricky, and one should not simply replace the sugar-gluten-full product with a gluten-free version of the same product. It is not because a product is labeled gluten-free that it is healthy. This diet can only help if accompanied by healthy eating habits, nutritious food, and exercise. Talk to your doctor beforehand if you consider this diet for weight loss only.
Gluten-free Diets Can Reduce Chronic Inflammation
A lot of chronic diseases are believed to start in the gut. By reducing the inflammation in the guts, the risk of chronic disease is considerably diminished. An inflammatory response or repetitive inflammations in the guts can lead to heart disease, obesity, arthritis, and more. Eliminating gluten can then serve as prevention against those diseases and reduce symptoms.
Be More in Controle of What’s on Your Plate.
Many grains have been genetically modified to increase crops substantially and increase profits. Those modifications are likely the reason for many diseases and health-related issues. Eating organic food has already been proven very beneficial, especially for the health of at-risk people such as infants, young children, and pregnant women. It is said to be more and more difficult to assure the quality of non-modified or altered grain crops since pesticides and additives and the wind easily carry seeds. Taking gluten off your plate is a step toward controlling what goes on your plate.
The rise in the popularity of the gluten-free diet makes it possible for those who want it and those who have to follow it without barely noticing a difference. The large selection of products offered and books of recipes, blogs, and websites have opened the doors of the gluten-free culture. This diet is no longer seen as boring, and most restaurants are now ready to cater to the people who follow it and those who don’t. Researchers constantly search and test to find new benefits and connections between gluten and disease or chronic conditions. Gluten-free bread, pasta, and pizza are no longer a revolution. Not only are the benefits of this diet becoming more and more noticeable, but it is more accessible and easier to follow than ever.
Overview
A gluten-free diet is a diet that excludes the protein gluten, which is found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. This diet has gained popularity in recent years due to its numerous health benefits. Here are some reasons why you might consider starting a gluten-free diet:
- Celiac disease: People with celiac disease have an autoimmune reaction to gluten that damages the small intestine. A gluten-free diet is the only treatment for this condition.
- Non-celiac gluten sensitivity: Some people experience digestive symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea when they consume gluten, even though they do not have celiac disease. A gluten-free diet can help alleviate these symptoms.
- Improved digestion: Even people without celiac disease or gluten sensitivity may experience improved digestion on a gluten-free diet. This is because many gluten-containing foods are also high in FODMAPs, which can cause digestive discomfort.
- Increased energy: Some people report feeling more energetic and less sluggish on a gluten-free diet. This may be because gluten-containing foods can cause inflammation and fatigue in some people.
- Weight loss: A gluten-free diet can lead to weight loss if it includes mostly whole, unprocessed foods. However, gluten-free processed foods can be high in sugar and calories, so choosing wisely is important.
- Improved skin health: Some people with skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis find that a gluten-free diet helps improve their symptoms.
- Improved mental health: Some research suggests that a gluten-free diet may help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety in some people.
