Gluten-free diet: harmful to health?
With summer, magazines are full of good food advice, trendy diets and perfect recipes for optimized well-being. Many favor the gluten-free diet. However, a new study warns us against this method of consumption when it is not specifically intended for people who do not suffer from gluten intolerance (1) .
The gluten-free diet acclaimed by American stars
There are many “people” who want a healthier way of life that respects animals and the food chain, without GMOs or pesticides. Among these, we find Leonardo DiCaprio who also follows a vegetarian diet, the “microbiota” Gwyneth Paltrow, the follower of the detox Jennifer Aniston, etc.
All are in love with the “gluten free diet”. This may seem logical since the gluten-free diet brings several benefits. Already physically, as digestion is facilitated, the stomach becomes flatter and the silhouette is refined. it causes less water retention, which allows the skin to be smoothed and the complexion to be clarified. From the psychic point of view, the depressive states are stabilized. Less inflammation and reduced joint disorders. In short, this diet has it all!
On some health/organic sites, we learn that eating gluten-free would be excellent for well-being, the line, digestion and therefore the state of mind. This diet has gathered many followers, yet, in recent days, many online newspapers have denounced the harms and even the dangers of following a gluten-free diet.
What is it exactly?
Gluten allergy is a disease that requires an adapted diet.
Initially, this mode of nutritional adaptation was justified to a specific audience . Indeed, only people who were allergic to it followed a gluten-free diet. Finding food compounds without either of the two protein moieties, gliadin and glutenin, is an uphill battle. In the 80s and 90s, it was not at all enviable to find yourself living with this disease. The name given to this food allergy that some people suffer from is celiac disease. The latter affects more or less one in 2,000 French people depending on the studies found.
A diet that can be dangerous
According to several sources cited below, following a gluten-free diet would have unfortunate consequences for health.
Failure to eat certain foods such as wheat or barley, and this on a regular basis, would deprive the body of a lot of nutrients which remain fundamental to the proper functioning of the musculoskeletal, cerebral and digestive systems, among others. . Dr. Karla Shelnutt from Florida, in a study published in the “Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior” (1) explains that young girls may be tempted to follow such a diet which seems to have only advantages. The diet is the victim of a very trendy fad on the web because the stars follow it and recommend it . So, everyone get on it!
In fact, it is the “real” patients who must be happy. Since this diet is becoming more democratic, many products labeled gluten-free are appearing on the market. A wider choice, forums for support and mutual aid, well-stocked supermarket shelves… all good news! But let everyone else make no mistake. Certainly, no study validates that gluten is good for the maintenance of the state of health. On the other hand, not consuming it is risking a lack of fiber, B vitamins, iron and calcium.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.