Today grocery stores and health food stores everywhere are stocked with gluten- free products. This is beneficial for many people with Celiac Disease who cannot eat products containing gluten. Around 1% of Americans have Celiac Disease. Common Symptoms of Celiac disease include diarrhea, anemia, bone pain, and a skin rash called Dermatitis Herpetiformis.
However, many people purchasing gluten-free products do not suffer from Celiac Disease; rather, they do so because they believe that it leads to an overall healthier lifestyle. Peter H.R. Green, MD, Director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University comments on this trend: “The market for gluten-free products is exploding. Why exactly we don’t know. Many people may just perceive that a gluten-free diet is healthier.” Dr. Green brings up an important question. Is a gluten- free diet actually healthier? The answer, according to WebMD, is that gluten free diet is not healthier because “a gluten-free diet can lack vitamins, minerals, and fiber,” says Green.
A major problem with gluten- free diets is that they are missing out on many necessary nutrients found in gluten foods. Gluten is a protein and it is found in whole grains related to wheat. Products containing Gluten contain nutritional benefits because they are filled with vitamins, minerals and fiber. Some studies say that whole grains can lower the risk of heart disease, type 2-diabetes and cancer. “Any time you eliminate whole categories of food you’ve been used to eating, you run the risk of nutritional deficiencies,” said Green. Therefore, it seems that unless you have Celiac Disease or gluten sensitivity, one should not restrict gluten from their diet.
Gluten- free diets are also not advisable because gluten-free foods are not necessarily healthier. There is no scientific proof that restricting gluten in a diet correlates to weight loss. In fact, many gluten-free products contain high amounts of saturated fats, cholesterol, high calorie content, and low nutrition value. Therefore, when one suffers from Celiac Disease, they should try to fill their diet with natural foods such as lean meats, fruits and vegetables.
In conclusion, people who choose to only eat gluten- free food are not actually taking the healthier route. So unless you have Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it is not advisable to eliminate gluten from your diet.