What Is a Gluten-Free Diet and Why Is It Becoming Popular?

Gluten is a protein that occurs naturally in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. When flour from these grains is mixed with water and yeast, it produces a sticky substance called gluten. That allows the bread to hold its shape. While all loaves of bread are made using some flour, not all bread is created equal. For this reason, gluten-free foods tend to be made from different kinds of flour, like rice and potato flour.

Why Is Gluten-Free Diet Popular These Days?

Today, the gluten-free diet is popular for several reasons:

• It is a trendy diet.
• It is often prescribed for individuals with celiac disease or a wheat allergy.
• It is believed to cause other digestive problems, like Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Going on a gluten-free diet is believed to result in weight loss.

How to Know If You Have Issues With Gluten?

The gluten-free diet is tricky, as many foods and cooking ingredients have gluten in them. However, if you want to see whether or not you should be going on a gluten-free diet, you should try this:

For about two weeks, try eating normally. Then, buy a package of entirely gluten-free rice cakes. If you do not see any improvement in your current diet, you might want to try a gluten-free diet.

To ensure that you are on a safe diet, you should also talk to your doctor or a nutritionist who is experienced in guiding you on a gluten-free diet.

What Are the Benefits of Going Gluten-Free?

Should you decide to pursue a gluten-free diet, you will experience the following benefits:

• Promotes Weight Loss: Going gluten-free may help you lose weight, as you will be eating fewer calories.

• Helps Control Diabetes: This diet is also helpful for those with diabetes, as it allows them to control their blood sugar levels.

• Boosts Your Mood: Going on a gluten-free diet can help improve your energy levels and mood.

• Protects Your Heart: A gluten-free diet may reduce your risk of heart disease.

• Helps Your Skin: Many people who go on a gluten-free diet notice that their skin improves.

• Prevents Cancer: A gluten-free diet may also prevent cancer, as it may stop the growth of malignant cells.

• Decreases Bloating: Bloating may be caused by consuming foods that contain gluten. These foods create inflammation in your body and cause your stomach to bloat.

• Lowers Your Risk of Other Diseases: If you consume gluten, it may increase your risk of other diseases like arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.

• Strengthens Your Bones: Preventing gluten consumption may help prevent osteoporosis.

To ensure that you’re enjoying the above benefits, it would be best to choose the right wheat flour type when baking, as some wheat flour contains more gluten than others. For example, bread flour has more gluten than cake flour.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, trying gluten-free foods is an individual decision and depends on your health, budget, and personal dietary preference. If you feel like you get a boost in energy and a healthy glow from going gluten-free, then it would be worth the effort. If you are unsure if a gluten-free diet works for you or not, try to give it a try.

If you are worried about not knowing enough about the gluten-free diet, don’t fret. Resources available to you can help you learn more about this diet.

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