Unless you’ve been living under a rock, it’s impossible for you not to have heard of the gluten-free diet.
A gluten-free diet by definition is a diet that excludes the gluten protein. Gluten can be found in many foods such as wheat, barley, and rye. As a matter of fact, it can be found in almost every processed food. This diet is primarily used for individuals with celiac disease as gluten may cause inflammation in the intestines of these individuals. A gluten-free diet prevents complications in people with celiac disease.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes an intolerance to gluten. The gluten protein causes damage to the lining of the intestines. There is no cure for celiac disease, and the only treatment for these afflicted individuals include the adherence to a strict gluten-free diet.
The gluten-free diet is also a trendy diet that is used in weight-loss. However, research has found that this diet may increase the risk of developing diabetes. Researchers have found that individuals with low levels of gluten in their diet have a 13% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with higher levels of gluten.
A gluten-free diet is found to have less dietary fiber and other micronutrients, leading to a less nutritious diet and gluten-free foods may also tend to cost more. A study observing approximately 200,000 participants in long-term studies examined their foods every two to four years. This study found that participants with the most gluten intake have the lowest risk of type 2 diabetes in the 30 years of follow-up.
Throughout the duration of the study, almost 16,000 cases of diabetes were confirmed. Researchers also noted that there is no evidence showing benefits of limiting their gluten intake. There have also been more celebrities that are promoting the gluten-free diet fad, including the new culture of celebrity food bloggers and posting photographs of food on the social media.
With the new research in the limelight, hopefully, there will be fewer individuals who will not adhere to fad diets when it is not necessary.
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Kekatos M. Gluten-free diet could give you type 2 diabetes, study warns. The Daily Mail. Accessed 3/10/2017.
Is going gluten-free giving you diabetes? New study links diet with the disease. The Telegraph. Accessed 3/10/2017.
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