New Delhi: Gluten is a family of storage proteins, formally known as prolamins, that are naturally found in certain grains, such as wheat, barley, and rye which makes the dough hard, making it sticky. Nowadays, there is hype about gluten-free products in the market and a lot of celebrities too promote it. But, is gluten bad for everyone? To answer this question, ABP Live sought the opinions of experts who explained that if you are opting for a gluten-free diet then you need to speak to the expert and then only do it, as not doing so can be risky for you.
Gluten- Unhealthy For Some, But Not For All:
Consuming gluten-containing meals might cause negative reactions and health hazards in certain people because the peptides in gluten are resistant to stomach acids, and some people may have difficulty digesting it. From minor indigestion to more significant health concerns, these peptides can induce a variety of symptoms, but it’s important to note that gluten isn’t inherently bad for everyone.
In this regard, Dr. Vanshika Gupta Adukia, Pregnancy/ childbirth expert, lactation specialist, pelvic floor physiotherapist and the founder of Therhappy said, “Gluten in some cases reacts differently in people’s bodies. For such individuals, their body senses gluten to be a toxin, therefore their immune system overreacts to cause systemic inflammation. Unless known conditions such as gluten intolerance or wheat allergy are known for a person, gluten does not need to be avoided completely.”
“However, wheat is often stripped down and polished before consumption, converting it into refined flour through processing- this is where the health concerns begin. Often people opt for gluten-free diets while still being unaware of their consumption of processed foods while making their so-called ‘gluten-free’ choices. More often than not the alternative gluten-free choices are packed with hidden sugar, sodium, saturated fats, higher caloric value and much lower nutritional density.”, she further added.
Who All Should Avoid Gluten:
It is said that individuals suffereing from celiac disease should avoid gluten. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system seeks gluten as a toxic invader and attacks it, resulting in intestinal damage. People with celiac disease are at risk for developing more severe disorders due to malabsorption of vitamins and minerals.
Richa Anand who is the Chief Dietician at Dr. LH Hiranandani Hospital, Powai, Mumbai spoke on these lines and said, “For individuals with celiac disease, gluten can cause symptoms such as stomach problems, fatigue, skin problems, etc. For these people, a gluten-free diet with strict adherence is essential to their health.”
Additionally, Fauziya Ansari who is a Dietitian at Apollo Spectra Mumbai said, “Many people with gluten sensitivity can witness that their gastrointestinal health has improved after avoiding gluten. Remember that there are no specific diagnostic tests for gluten sensitivity. Furthermore, many people may have a gluten intolerance without knowing it. If one has an undiagnosed gluten intolerance, such as celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, they tend to avoid gluten to stay hale and hearty.”
READ | Is Milk Really White Poison? See What Experts Have To Say
Health Benefits Of Gluten:
Gluten may work as a prebiotic and feed our bodies with good bacteria. It has been demonstrated that the prebiotic carbohydrate arabinoxylan oligosaccharide, which is generated from wheat bran, increases bifidobacteria activity in the colon. A healthy human gut often contains these bacteria. Changes in their quantity or activity have been linked to gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Gluten is also rich in fibre and nutrients like iron, magnesium and Vitamin B, therefore gluten found in whole grains is never the root cause of health concerns.
“In fact, refined grains such as gluten-containing wheat provide valuable nutrients such as fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They can help with digestion, heart health, and weight management. Removing gluten from the diet without proper medical justification can lead to nutritional deficiencies, as gluten-free products often lack the same nutritional value.”, said Richa Anand.
Fauziya Ansari also spoke along the same lines and said that foods having gluten are good sources of nutrients, including protein and iron. She also added that there is a belief that says having a gluten-free diet can aid weight loss, and ease bloating and joint pain.
In addition to them, Neha G, Wellness Nutritionist & Founder, FitMirchi said, “The majority of people can handle undigested gluten without any bowel issues. But in some cases, gluten can trigger a severe autoimmune response or other unpleasant symptoms.”
Also, gluten is not for everybody, it can lead to excessive discomfort and rapid weight gain, while in the case of good metabolism, digestion becomes smooth. Thus, gluten is not good or bad- it’s about your body, whether it can digest it or not.