Health Benefits of Avoiding Gluten (When You’re Not a Coeliac)
By now, you’ve probably heard of Coeliac Disease. For those fortunate not to, Coeliac Disease is an autoimmune disorder in which eating gluten (or the group of proteins found in grains like wheat, rye, and barley) triggers an immune response in the body, causing inflammation and damage to the small intestine. Its most visible symptoms are gastrointestinal discomforts such as diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and gassiness, among other things. And it’s not an uncommon condition, as studies have revealed that 1 in 100 people worldwide are afflicted by Coeliac Disease.
One easy way to remedy the symptoms of Coeliac Disease is to remove gluten from your diet. Although this may seem like an inconvenience, gluten-free products like our Soft White Sandwich Loaf provide a slew of health benefits due to the number or nutrients and vitamins our products provide from using only the finest, and most fresh premium ingredients without any added sugar. Given these health benefits of certain gluten-free products, would it actually be worth it to go gluten-free even if you aren’t suffering from Coeliac Disease? Read on to find out more about the health benefits of avoiding gluten!
Healthier Eating Habits
Going gluten-free has both direct and indirect health benefits. In fact, researchers from the University of Minnesota have found that going gluten-free promotes healthy eating habits such as eating breakfast daily and consuming more fruit and vegetables. Improving your overall health through this can go a long way not just in improving digestive health, but also in preventing chronic illnesses such as diabetes and arthritis. This is important as Maryville University reports that there is a rise in chronic diseases. According to the university, an estimated 164 million people will be diagnosed with one form of chronic illness or another by 2025 — a number that translates to roughly half of the American population. Given this, preventive measures are vital, and going gluten-free may just be that extra push that you need!
Improve Blood Cholesterol
Gluten acts as the glue that holds grains like wheat together and allows it to keep its shape. It can be found in food like bread, pasta, and other baked goods. Nowadays, because of how things are processed, a lot of wheat that has been refined contains little to no nutritional value. The American Heart Association details how the refinement process has stripped grains of key nutrients, such as B-vitamins, iron, and dietary fiber. Eating food stripped of nutrients will often result in adverse health effects, most common of which is an increased level of “bad” cholesterol. Shifting to a gluten-free and high-fiber diet would help improve blood cholesterol levels, thus lowering the risk of heart disease and strokes.
Reduced Bloating
It’s also quite possible to experience bloating after ingesting gluten even if you don’t have Coeliac Disease. Unlike Coeliac Disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity isn’t an autoimmune condition and does not trigger an allergic reaction. It can, however, cause bloating, headaches, joint pain, and numbness of the limbs after ingestion. Sadly, tests for Coeliac Disease will come out negative if you have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, so if you experience any of these symptoms after eating wheat and other grains, the best way to alleviate the issue would be to eliminate gluten from your diet.
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Alessa Ross