To understand a Gluten-free diet, we need to know first “what is Gluten”. Gluten is a protein, that is helpful in giving and maintaining the shape of foods. This protein is found in barley, rye, and wheat. Various pieces of bread, kinds of pasta, and cereals are rich in gluten.
Why Gluten-Free Diet
Some people have celiac disease, which causes gluten intolerance. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition, in which gluten damages our small intestine, and this damage leads to stomach discomfort after eating food that contains gluten. Studies have been conducted to prove that people, who switch to gluten-free diets or reduce their intake, even if they don’t have celiac disease, observe better health.
A gluten-free diet is becoming more popular worldwide because of its numerous health benefits. Let’s discuss the top 5 supercharged health benefits of a gluten-free diet.
- Relieve Digestive Problems
A gluten-free diet is helpful in relieving digestive problems, like bloating, gastric issues, diarrhea, constipation, stomach cramps, fatigue due to stomach problems, etc.
Bear in mind, that our gut health is interlinked with our full body functions. A healthy gut means that our body will be able to process the healthy contents of our diet. Research shows that a gluten-free diet is helpful to relieve digestive symptoms in people with celiac disease as well as those who don’t have this disease. People with celiac disease, who don’t follow a gluten-free diet, notice a significant increase in their condition.
- Boosts Bone Health
If you have gluten intolerance or if you generally have a sensitive digestive system, your body will not be able to absorb beneficial nutrients from your diet. The small intestine becomes damaged over time, and this will subsequently lead to malnutrition. This means you will have vitamin, calcium, and iron deficiencies which will weaken your bones and make you prone to fractures.
Further, in celiac disease, there is pain in the wrists, knees, and back. This happens because celiac makes our immune system abnormal, which raises inflammation in our body. Studies show that people who reduce and eliminate gluten from their diet, have reported improved bone health. Also, a gluten-free diet helps to reduce inflammation and pain in joints.
- Improves Energy Levels
Gluten sensitivity causes chronic fatigue. This happens as consuming a gluten diet will damage our intestine, which will halt nutrition absorption, including Iron, in our bloodstream. This will lead to iron deficiency, which is called anemia. Anemia is the major reason for fatigue and exertion intolerance.
However, a gluten-free diet will give our intestine time to heal from inflammation, which will enable it to restore its normal functioning, which is absorbing essential nutrients from our food. This means the Iron content from our food, will also be absorbed and this will raise our energy levels. Subsequently, you will feel more energetic and fresher.
- Improves Skin and Hair
If you are having any kind of skin issue and or hair loss battle, consider cutting on Gluten from your diet. While if you have a diagnosed celiac disease, then for sure your skin issues and hair health problems are linked to gluten intolerance. Studies show that gluten intolerance causes rashes, skin irritation, eczema, psoriasis, and hair fall. Hence it is recommended that before you consider getting a skin or hair treatment in a salon, think of opting for a gluten-free diet.
There is research with evidence that following a gluten-free diet help to improve our skin and eliminates skin inflammation. Further, a gluten-free diet means your body will get the beneficial nutrients that are mandatory for stronger hair. Hence, this diet will help to reverse hair loss, improves hair density, and improve hair texture.
- Reduces Headache and Depression
Researchers have discovered that our gut and brain are connected, and yet more studies are underway to further elaborate gut-brain connection details. However, it is agreed by health professionals that a gluten-free diet is helpful to control frequent episodes of headaches. These headaches are very much common in people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Further, a constant or frequent headache is more likely to another condition, i.e., depression. These two states are interrelated. Also, in the case of celiac disease, where one deals with stomach issues every day, people usually go into depression at some point. However, according to nutritionists that a gluten-free diet is quite helpful to ease depression symptoms associated with gut illness, and headaches or generally and improves the quality of life.The bottom line is, celiac disease, and gluten intolerance requires medical assessments by a professional. The symptoms are very much like numerous other issues. To minimize any chance of misdiagnosis, doctors usually advise serology tests. This test examines the presence of specific antibodies in our blood, which makes the diagnosis more accurate. Please bear in mind, that celiac disease and gluten intolerance, both are not curable conditions, diet changes are required to cope with the symptoms. Further, even if you don’t have these medical conditions, a gluten-free diet is a healthy lifestyle for e
