Gluten Hero Or Zero?

Everything you need to know before going on a gluten-free diet.

- Michelle Lau

With gluten sensitivities, intolerances, and celiac disease becoming increasingly common, supermarkets aisles are jam-packed with increasing ranges of gluten-free foods like never before and gluten-free products are being marketed to consumers as the ‘healthier choice’. But before you overhaul your diet, it is important to know that many of these products might not be as life-changing as they seem – and going gluten-free might not be for everyone or is just another food fad?

WHAT IS GLUTEN, ANYWAY?

Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other foods. It is the ingredient that gives bread its elasticity and is commonly used as a stabilizer to prolong the shelf life of foods.

WHAT CAUSES A REACTION TO GLUTEN?

People with celiac disease, gluten protein triggers an unusual immune response that leads to flattening and altering the lining of the small intestine. It can cause malnutrition in individuals with celiac disease due to decreased ability to properly absorb and digest nutrients in their food as well as unpleasant symptoms associated with the disease such as anemia, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, breathlessness, cramps, and bloating.