What Is Gluten? Is Gluten healthy or harmful to your body ? Find out all you need to know
What Is Gluten? Is Gluten healthy or harmful to your body ? Find out all you need to know.
🧬 What Is Gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in certain grains, mainly:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Rye
- Triticale (a wheat–rye hybrid)
It acts like a glue that holds food together. In baking, gluten helps dough rise, stretch, and maintain structure—making bread fluffy and chewy.
Gluten is made of two main proteins:
- Gliadin (triggers immune response in celiac disease)
- Glutenin (provides dough elasticity)
🩺 What Does Gluten Do to the Body?
For Most People:
Gluten is not harmful. It passes through the digestive system like other proteins.
For Some People:
Gluten can cause serious health issues:
1. Celiac Disease (Autoimmune Disorder)
- Affects ~1% of the population
- When gluten is consumed, the immune system attacks the small intestine
- Leads to inflammation, nutrient malabsorption, weight loss, fatigue, and long-term health risks
Symptoms:
- Bloating, gas, diarrhea
- Fatigue, depression, skin rashes
- Anemia, bone loss
Treatment:
- 100% lifelong gluten-free diet
2. Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS)
- Not an allergy or autoimmune disease
- Symptoms similar to celiac but without intestinal damage
- Digestive discomfort, brain fog, joint pain, fatigue
3. Wheat Allergy
- An allergic reaction to wheat proteins (not just gluten)
- Can cause skin rashes, asthma, or anaphylaxis
✅ Truth vs Myths About Gluten
🧠Gluten and the Brain
- Some people report “brain fog,” anxiety, or mood swings when consuming gluten.
- In people with celiac disease, gluten can impact neurological health.
- But for the general population, there's no solid proof that gluten harms the brain.
🥖 Should You Go Gluten-Free?
Only if:
- You have celiac disease
- You are gluten-sensitive
- You have a wheat allergy
- You feel noticeably better after removing it (and it's been confirmed by a health professional)
Otherwise, whole grains with gluten can be a healthy part of your diet.
Next we will talk about Gluten Free Food, Recipes and gluten free meal plan
