Introduction
In today’s society, celebrities influence our daily lives, in everything from clothing to nutrition and fitness. The gluten-free diet (GFD) is an emerging trend that has gained many endorsements from many celebrities; with celebrity endorsements, the public has been influenced and, as a result, added momentum to this growing trend. The reason for gluten avoidance is the popular belief it carries health benefits. In 2013, a national survey showed 30% of adults in the United States reported they were on a GFD or were attempting to limit their gluten consumption (Lebwohl, et al., 2017). Is this trend just another fad diet or does it provide a healthier way of eating?
A GFD is consumption of foods free from products that contain wheat, rye, or barley. According to Gaesser and Angadi (2012), gluten is the protein that consists of gliadins and glutenins. These proteins give many products, such as bread, pastries, and pastas, their light and fluffy texture. Hidden gluten is also found in
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The population of people who have medical necessity and should follow a GFD are those with a clinical diagnosis of celiac disease, wheat allergy, non-gluten celiac sensitivity, and Hashimoto’s disease. People in these populations have an immune response when products containing gluten are consumed. Some of the symptoms may include, but are not limited to: skin rashes, intestinal damage, headaches, hormonal imbalances, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or anaphylaxis. Therefore, it is imperative for this population to follow a GFD because it is out of medical necessity. We will review the health effects of this trendy diet from both points of views. It is the opinion of the authors, that a GFD should not be followed unless medically