Benefits Of Gluten Free Diet

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"Gluten free". How often do we read this phrase in food packaging such as bread, cookies, cakes, crackers and pasta? Despite the prominent frequency of this warning, gluten is found in a multitude of other industrial products we also consume. This abundant protein can have significant effects on people 's organisms. It is, therefore, important to know more about gluten. Important to gluten intolerant and gluten tolerant people because gluten has a significant impact on public health that has been widely neglected. This is one of those cases in which greater awareness can only work for one 's health and society 's benefit. Take a look at what experts have to say about gluten.

What is gluten?

Gluten is a composite protein formed by two storage …show more content…

All foods derived from these grains such as wheat flour, beer and whiskey, also contain gluten in their composition. When buying food, gluten intolerant individuals should pay special attention to the nutritional or "gluten free" labels of industrialized products.

Which foods are appropriate for a gluten free diet?

Fortunately for those who are gluten intolerant and vegetarians, there are several gluten free food alternatives to gluten products. Rice flour, potato starch, quinoa, corn and cassava are excellent choices to include in gluten free diets. These foods are nutritionally rich, and, like wheat, oats and rye are also high in fiber and protein. Given proper attention and criteria, gluten free foods contribute for a healthy diet with no nutritional downsides.

What are the risks of a gluten free diet?

There are a few risks associated with gluten free diets that escape the perception of most consumers. One is tied to the fact that many gluten free products are being aggressively marketed as healthier alternatives to their gluten counterparts and even as promoting weight loss. Many of these claims are debatable because they lack any sort of empirical evidence to back them up. However, the lack of evidence hasn 't stopped a great number of gluten tolerant people from indulging rather recklessly in gluten free diets in the hopes of achieving weight loss or significant health improvements …show more content…

Excessive reliance on the same kind of gluten free food can lead to severe nutritional deficits, namely nutrients as important as calcium, riboflavin, iron, thiamine or folate. Symptoms like constipation may also occur due to excessive amounts of fiber. All these risks can only be avoided by paying very close attention to the nutritional profiles gluten free foods, variety is paramount. But not many people are willing to invest so much effort in this regard, which, ultimately, leads to the next point.

Who should adopt a gluten free diet?

Given the generally higher cost and the increased necessity to be food-conscientious in order to avoid nutritional imbalances, gluten free diets are no easy ordeal. A healthy gluten free diet demands a considerable investment of resources and proper education about food nutrition. This is why this sort of diet is only recommended for gluten intolerant people because those who are tolerant to the protein earn no benefit whatsoever for making such a significant diet change just to get rid of a harmless and beneficial protein.