Have you ever seen someone who is allergic to wheat and other grains? Well, it’s real, and a number of people suffer from it. They are allergic to gluten.
You may have heard about gluten free diets in diet plans. There’s a lot of buzz going around about gluten-free diets, with everyone from celebrities to athletes touting the benefits of a gluten-free diet.
But what is gluten? How does it benefit you? Keep on reading this article to find all about gluten free diet, and its benefits.
Table of Contents
What is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein that can be found in cereals like wheat, rye, and barley.
It provides flexibility and moisture to food, allowing it to keep its shape. It also helps the bread rise and has a chewy texture.
Although gluten is generally healthy for most people, persons with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid it to avoid negative health consequences.
Many foods include gluten-containing substances, therefore people who are unable to ingest it should carefully read ingredient labels.
How Do You Know If You are Gluten-Sensitive?
Although, medical tests can confirm your gluten-sensitivity, you may experience some symptoms which points towards gluten troubles:
- Fatigue
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Skin rashes and itching
- Joint pain and inflammation
- Digestive issues, like bloating, constipation, and stomach pain
- Anxiety or depression
- Migraines
Question – Why Does Gluten Affect Some People, and Not All?
Even while there is much discussion about whether eliminating gluten from one’s diet is healthy for everyone, there is one thing we all agree on.
If you have gluten intolerance, you must follow a gluten-free diet.
Celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, gluten ataxia, and wheat allergies are just a few of the conditions that can cause digestive problems and exhaustion.
However, if you intake gluten free meals, the results can be astounding.
Benefits of a Gluten Free Diet
There are plenty of myths about the gluten free diet but the one thing that is certain is that it offers tremendous health benefits for those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Here are a few of the health benefits of following a gluten free diet.
Reduces Those Splitting Headaches
Fun fact for today:
Your gut and brain are inextricably linked.
This is why some people with gluten intolerance suffer from frequent headaches or migraines. As a result, research shows that eliminating gluten from your diet can lessen the number of headaches you have.
Eat gluten free meals, reduce those splitting headaches.
Improves Bone Health: Makes the Skeleton Strong
Malnutrition is one of the risks of having an undetected condition like celiac.
Unfortunately, your small intestine is severely injured, and nutrients are unable to enter your circulation.
After a while, this leads to vitamin shortages such as calcium and iron, which can lead to other issues such as poor bone health and anemia.
If you avoid gluten and eat a gluten-free diet, your bone health would certainly improve.
Clears Up Your Stressed Skin
Gluten sensitivity can cause skin rashes such as eczema and plaque psoriasis, as well as acne.
Your gut and skin are also intertwined!
Furthermore, there is some evidence that eating a gluten-free diet can assist your skin.
So, if you’re fighting a skin battle and suspect you’re suffering from gluten sensitivity, try taking it out and seeing if your skin improves!
Reduces that Frustrating Hair Loss
Hair loss is prevalent in people who are deficient in certain nutrients, such as iron. Remember how celiac disease puts you at a higher risk of anemia?
Exactly.
It’s possible that your gluten-free diet is causing hair loss. But what if you’re gluten-free? Because your small intestine begins to repair, you’ll be able to absorb more nutrients.
Read more about hair fall reasons in females and how to stop it.
Reduces Pain from Those Annoyingly Achy Joints
Wrist, knee, and back discomfort are all common symptoms of celiac disease. This is because celiac disease causes an abnormal immunological response, which causes inflammation to rise.
As a result, a gluten-free diet may help to reduce joint inflammation and pain.
Read some more about home remedies to get relief from knee joint pain.
Say Bye to Bloating
If you have a gluten intolerance, you know how stressful it can be for your digestive system.
Bloating, acid reflux, diarrhea, constipation, and severe stomach discomfort are just a few of the symptoms that may quickly spoil your day.
Gluten avoidance can help to alleviate unpleasant symptoms.
Take heed!
If you quit eating gluten but still experience digestive issues, you should get tested for another food sensitivity.
Improves Energy Levels
An additional symptom of vitamin shortage or anemia, fatigue that lasts a long time.
Isn’t that correct?
A shortage of vitamins and minerals that contribute to your energy levels makes your body feel extremely feeble.
However, on a gluten free diet, many celiac patients report having more energy than they had in the past.
Maintains a Healthy Weight
Celiac disease causes a slew of symptoms that can wreak havoc on your digestive system.
Bloating, gas, and exhaustion are just a few of the many symptoms that gluten-intolerant people may suffer on a regular basis.
This lack of nutrients, energy, and digestion issues might have a direct impact on your metabolism’s general operation.
You may eliminate these stressors by eating healthy, gluten-free foods, allowing your body to function normally.
In this way, a gluten free diet helps you maintain a healthy weight.
Which Foods are Best to Eat on a Gluten Free Diet?
There are plenty of gluten free options that will allow you to enjoy healthy and delicious meals.
If you start eating more gluten free foods, you will find your overall health and well being much better than before.
The following foods are naturally gluten-free:
- All meats and fish
- All types of eggs are naturally gluten-free
- Plain dairy products e.g. plain milk, plain yogurt and cheeses
- All fruits and vegetables are naturally free of gluten
- Grains e.g. quinoa, rice, buckwheat, tapioca, sorghum, corn, millet, amaranth, arrowroot, teff and oats
- Potatoes, potato flour, corn, corn flour, chickpea flour, soy flour, almond meal/flour, coconut flour etc
- All nuts and seeds
- All vegetable oils and butter
- All herbs and spices
That’s a variety of foods for you while picking a gluten free diet, right?
Bottom Line!!
Gluten is safe to eat for the majority of people. While a gluten-free diet can be restrictive, there are many healthful and delicious alternatives to have gluten free foods.
Simply eat a variety of entire, single-ingredient foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources. They’ll make your stomach happy while also promoting good health.
Furthermore, a gluten free diet may have numerous health advantages. It can help you lose weight by easing digestive issues, reducing inflammation, and boosting energy levels.
If you want to know more about gluten intolerance and what foods to eat and avoid, make sure to consult with a well-known gastroenterologist to get your queries satisfied. Book an appointment via Healthwire.pk or call at (042) 32500989.