gluten free diet
In today’s time, people follow various diets to stay fit. In this, many include more protein or fiber in their diet. Similarly, nowadays many people are following the trend of gluten free diet and there are many reasons behind it. Many people are allergic to gluten, some consider it unhealthy and many people remove gluten from their diet after watching others. But before this, they should know what gluten is, along with its disadvantages, there are also benefits.
Gluten is a type of protein which is found mostly in some grains like wheat, barley and rye. Along with this, it is found in bread, cake, pasta, pizza, and many baked products. Some people prefer to eat gluten free because they find it easier to digest or they choose a gluten free diet to lose weight, increase energy, or to avoid any allergies. But will gluten free diet be right for everyone? Let us know the expert’s opinion about this
What do experts say?
Dr. Ankit Bansal, Consultant, Internal Medicine and Infection at Shri Balaji Action Medical, Delhi, said that nowadays many people like to take gluten free diet without any expert advice, but doing so is not right for everyone. Actually, gluten is a type of natural protein. Which is not harmful for our body, but for common people it is a good source of energy and fiber. Only those people who have problems like celiac disease, gluten intolerance or gluten sensitivity should take gluten free diet. In such cases, the body is not able to digest gluten properly, which can cause problems like flatulence, gas, diarrhea, fatigue, or swelling in the intestines.
Gluten Free Things (Credit: Getty Images)
Disadvantages of gluten free diet
Nowadays, taking gluten free diet is becoming a trend. But for those who do not have any such problem, adopting gluten free diet is not only useless but it can also cause harm to health. Because when you give up gluten, most people stop eating wheat bread. But in such a situation, your body does not get many essential nutrients obtained from wheat. Along with gluten, fiber, vitamin B complex, iron, magnesium and zinc are also found in it. Their deficiency can cause weakness in the body, constipation or digestive problems.
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Commercially made gluten free products are often highly processed and contain high amounts of fat, sodium and sugar. Consuming them for a long time can increase the risk of weight gain, increased blood sugar or heart related problems. Apart from this, gluten free products are also expensive. Nowadays, due to social media and fitness trends, people think that gluten free products should be consumed. But it is beneficial only for people with special medical conditions. If a person is suffering from frequent problems like stomach pain, diarrhea, gas, indigestion or weakness, then he should consult a doctor who can know whether the person is allergic to gluten or not. For healthy people, it is better to consume common gluten-rich foods like wheat, porridge, roti, bread in limited quantities.
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