Gluten-containing foods have been established by experts as beneficial to human health, however it is feared that sensitivity or allergic reactions towards them by some individuals may trigger them to not eat it at all.
Gluten-sensitivity( NCGS) could be a symptom of celiac disease – which is often characterized by abdominal pain, constipation, weight loss, and fatigue after consuming gluten. Many sufferers of this condition would normally want to do with gluten entirely. Although their conviction may be valid, it is sometimes flawed with unnecessary fallacies. Below are some well established facts counteracting popular myths on the market.
Myth: Eating gluten causes weight gain
In most cases, you would hear many people blaming their unsolicited weight gain to the consumption of gluten. However, experts believe vehemently that eating gluten would not yield any undesirable weight gain.
They rather advise you check the quality of food you consume on the regular and also check your dietary pattern, as you are likely to gain weight for poor eating choices.
According to Begun; “in the absence of celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, replacing empty-calorie, gluten-containing foods with whole, nutrient-rich foods can certainly make you feel better, but it’s probably because you are eating healthier.”
Fact: Gluten adds protein to your diet
It is an established fact that gluten is a kind of protein found in foods such as wheat, rye, barley, and triticale and a factor in foods that help consumers to maintain their shape.
The Celiac Disease Foundation has also hinted that it can be found in unexpected dished like sauces and salad dressings made from wheat, some food colorings, along with in malt used in malted milkshakes or malt vinegar.
Myth: NCGS is a common, mild form of celiac disease
While the symptoms of gluten sensitivity may be similar to those of celiac disease, they are unarguably different conditions with different responses going on in the body.
Symptoms of gluten sensitivity may be include joint pain; numbness in the fingers, arms, or legs; headache; joint pain; and various gastrointestinal conditions like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain – which could all be captured under celiac disease also.
However, Begun has revealed whilst celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system triggers an attack on the intestines in the presence of gluten, for gluten sensitivity, the same antibodies to gluten are not produced, there isn’t the same damage to the intestines, nor do we see an increased intestinal permeability as we see in celiac disease.
Fact: There is no diagnostic test for NCGS
You must also note that there is no rapid diagnostic test for gluten sensitivity. Instead what many health professionals would do is to give out a genetic test to rule out celiac disease and a wheat allergy
Testing for gluten sensitivity may also include skin pricks, blood tests, and even an endoscopy.