1. What are some pros and cons of the gluten-free craze for individuals that do
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Question
1. What are some pros and cons of the gluten-free craze for individuals that do not suffer intolerance to gluten? (Does it benefit everyone’s health? increase healthier food choices? or distract from more important nutritional concerns?)2. How have you or someone you know experienced a social change being gluten-free? (restaurant choices, birthday celebrations, family and friend get-togethers, food shopping, conversations at work, with friends, or at home, etc)
Please provide references. 1. What are some pros and cons of the gluten-free craze for individuals that do not suffer intolerance to gluten? (Does it benefit everyone’s health? increase healthier food choices? or distract from more important nutritional concerns?)
2. How have you or someone you know experienced a social change being gluten-free? (restaurant choices, birthday celebrations, family and friend get-togethers, food shopping, conversations at work, with friends, or at home, etc)
Please provide references. 1. What are some pros and cons of the gluten-free craze for individuals that do not suffer intolerance to gluten? (Does it benefit everyone’s health? increase healthier food choices? or distract from more important nutritional concerns?)
2. How have you or someone you know experienced a social change being gluten-free? (restaurant choices, birthday celebrations, family and friend get-togethers, food shopping, conversations at work, with friends, or at home, etc)
Please provide references.
Explanation / Answer
Introduction of Gluten:
Gluten is the protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, but it’s also found in foods like ice cream and ketchup. Gluten-free diets are typically followed by people suffering from a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, a condition that causes a negative reaction to gluten and results in damage to the intestines. This damage makes it difficult for the body to absorb necessary nutrients and leads to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
In recent years, gluten-free diets have become part of the weight loss fad. However, a gluten-free diet isn’t necessarily healthier and often leads to weight gain. Many gluten-free products are high in processed carbs and sugar. A person not dealing with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease would be better off shopping for a variety of high-fiber carbs, lean proteins, colorful fruits and veggies, and healthy fats. One hundred percent whole-wheat barley, wheat, and rye are also packed with fiber, which can help lower cholesterol and improve digestive health.
Advantages of Eliminating Gluten:
Disadvantages:
Research on Non-celiac gluten sensitivity(NCGS):
There are many open questions on gluten sensitivity, emphasized in one review that "it is still to be clarified whether this disorder is permanent or transient and whether it is linked to autoimmunity". It has not yet been established whether innate or adaptive immune responses are involved in NCGS, nor whether the condition relates specifically to gluten or rather relates to other components of grains.
Studies indicate that AGA IgG is high in slightly more than half of NCGS patients and that, unlike for celiac disease patients, the IgG AGA decreases strongly over 6 months of gluten-free diet; AGA IgA is usually low or absent in NCGS patients.
The need for developing biomarkers for NCGS is frequently emphasized; for example, one review indicated: "There is a desperate need for reliable biomarkers that include clinical, biochemical and histopathological findings which support the diagnosis of NCGS."
A 2014 preliminary study found "that short-term exposure to gluten can induce depressive symptoms in people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity".
Research has also attempted to discern, by double-blind placebo-controlled trials, between a "fad component" to the recent popularity of the gluten-free diet and an actual sensitivity to gluten or other components of wheat. In a double-blind placebo cross-over trial, small amounts of purified wheat gluten triggered gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal bloating and pain) and extra-intestinal manifestations (such as foggy mind, depression and aphthous stomatitis) in self-reported NCGS. Nevertheless, it remains elusive whether these findings specifically implicate gluten or proteins present in gluten-containing cereal
Social Culture:
Gluten free eating out at parties: Friend, colleagues and family members are decided to think gluten free parties when go outings for party celebrations.
Restaurants: The most trust-worthy of these have certification or training though one of the celiac disease support groups. When that’s the case, you know the restaurant is knowledgeable about gluten-free dining and has made an effort to create options that use gluten-free ingredients prepared in a way that prevents cross-contamination.
food shopping: while ordering the food gluten free should be opted which is having authenticate certification.
Awareness on gluten free food items:
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