The Scientific Facts About Gluten

Most days I feel like I'm the only person on earth who isn't gluten free. In my local supermarkets there is now a gluten free aisle packed with products that are more expensive that it's gluten original. Restaurants are also catering to this market. It's now impossible to avoid the gluten discussion.

However, I have found that most of those who are on a gluten free diet are doing so to lose weight but there is no scientific evidence to support this decision. Going gluten free is an extension of low carbohydrate fad. According to a new survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center 63% of Americans believe that a gluten-free diet could improve their mental or physical health.

What is gluten?

Gluten is the protein found in grains like wheat, barley, rye and possibly oats. It is most common in breads, pasta, pizza and cereal. There are about 1% of Americans who have been diagnosed with celiac disease. These individuals have an immune reaction that is triggered by eating gluten. They develop inflammation and damage in their intestinal tracts and other parts of the body when they eat foods with gluten. There may be another group of people who are gluten sensitive.

One issue is that many people feel there are gluten free by eliminating bread, pasta and pizza. However, gluten is in more products that one would imagine. According to Macleans, gluten "may appear on labels in Latin as triticum vulgare or hordeum vulgare or secale cereale. Or the label may feature ingredients that people don’t realize contain gluten, including bulgur, couscous, farina, malt and seitan."

Should you avoid gluten?

According to this article by Harvard Medical School, "there is no compelling evidence that a gluten-free diet will improve health if you don’t have celiac disease." However, in spite of this, many people claim to feel better when they eliminate gluten from their diets. But before you jump on the bandwagon, consider the negative side effects of a gluten free diet.

Gluten-free foods:

• have more sugar, fat and salt
• sometimes have more calories
• have less folic acid, iron and other nutrients
• are more expensive

When you look at the above list, you'll see that it's no surprise that some people actually gain weight while on a gluten free diet.

If you have already switched to a gluten free diet and feel great. Excellent. However, if you are still considering eliminating gluten, be aware of the negative side effects and the fact that science is not on your side.