We all have heard of the ingredient called Gluten. Gluten-free recipes and products are all over the market these days. It is believed that gluten free products help in weight loss.
So have you wondered what is Gluten-free? Why are people avoiding foods with Gluten?
Is it because Gluten is unhealthy? Is Gluten-free a healthy option? Research shows that some suffer from gluten intolerance. It is an autoimmune disorder which can cause headache, tiredness, bloating, constipation and tiredness.
Gluten is a protein found naturally in some grains like wheat, barley, and rye. It helps food maintain their shape, basically acting as glue that holds food together.
Of the gluten-containing grains, wheat is by far the most common.
The two main proteins in gluten are glutenin and gliadin. Gliadin is responsible for most of the adverse health effects of gluten When flour mixes with water, the gluten proteins form a sticky network that has a glue-like consistency.
This glue-like property makes the dough elastic and gives bread the ability to rise during baking. It also provides a chewy, satisfying texture.
Interestingly, the name gluten derives from this glue-like property of wet dough.
For example, you can think of Pizza dough whose stretchy quality enables you to toss and pull out a ball easily. Without Gluten, the dough would just rip away. Some common foods that contain Gluten include breads, baked goods, Brewer’s yeast, cereals and pasta.
When can gluten be a problem?
As per Harvard School of Public Health, Gluten can cause serious side effects in certain individuals. Some people react differently to gluten, where the body senses it as a toxin, causing one’s immune cells to overreact and attack it. If an unknowingly sensitive person continues to eat gluten, this creates a kind of battle ground resulting in inflammation.
The side effects can range from mild (fatigue, bloating, alternating constipation and diarrhea) to severe (unintentional weight loss, malnutrition, intestinal damage) as seen in the autoimmune disorder celiac disease.
Gluten Free Diet
Diet is Gluten-Free when you exclude all food items that contain Gluten. Studies say that mostly people with celiac disease avoid Gluten in their diet because it is an autoimmune disorder in which eating gluten triggers the immune response in the body, causing inflammation and damage to small intestine. Brown , Black or Red Rice, Buckwheat, Amaranth, Millets and Sorghum are some of the gluten-free products.
Some of the other naturally gluten-free products are Meat, Fish and seafood, eggs,dairy products, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts. fats and butter
Other than this, people who are sensitive to Gluten or are prone to wheat allergies also frequently avoid Gluten. So if you are intolerant to Gluten, note that, sometimes Gluten can also be found in unexpected products so make sure that you read the labels before you buy.
Make sure you do consult your nutritionist before embarking on a gluten free diet.