Gluten is a natural protein found in some grains like wheat and barley It helps mix food together in the stomach. Many products say they are gluten-free because some girls have lots of health problems from it. We'll learn about these in this article.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a type of protein, naturally found in many grains like wheat and barley, and it helps give texture when cooking a smooth and soft texture that's soft and tender In many foods, and it also helps ferment foods like bread, pasta, and many other products.
There are many gluten-free diets now, but gluten doesn't cause big health risks except for some people who have digestive disorders and can't handle gluten, so they remove it from their meals to avoid harmful symptoms.
Foods that contain gluten:
We can find gluten in many foods, whether whole or processed, for example:
- Legumes: Whole wheat, wheat bran, barley, semolina, bulgur, wheat germ, cracked wheat.
- Processed grain products: Biscuits, pasta, noodles, pastries, veggie burgers, seitan.
- Other foods: Barley malt, some salad dressings, sauces that include it as a fine ingredient, flavored chips.
There are many products that contain gluten inbecause it’s used a lot in food processing, and food companies rely on it in most of their products, so gluten-free foods often have gluten during manufacturing. If you follow a gluten-free diet, you must check the ingredients of that product.
Oats:
When it comes to gluten-free products, oats become a tricky subject because gluten is added during processing and making, but many food companies produce some products that are completely gluten-freeOats can provide girls who are gluten-sensitive with protein and fiber. Studies are still working on finding some solutions and treatments for people with gluten sensitivity.
What does gluten-free label mean?
If you're following a gluten-free diet, it used to be hard to know if a product was gluten-free or not, So most governments have forced food companies to put warnings on gluten-free products, and those labels mean the product may contain gluten but in a very small amount.
Medical cases where you must follow a gluten-free diet:
Although gluten is safe for many people, there are some medical cases where treatment requires sticking to a gluten-free diet, and they are:
The first case: celiac disease
This disease is a rare autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks the small intestine when gluten is eaten. Doctors and experts still don't know the exact cause. There might be some genetic factors. Because of this, scientists recommend following a strict gluten-free diet.
Second case: Gluten sensitivity
Some girls don't have celiac disease but do get some symptoms when they eat gluten. So doctors suggest they follow a gluten-free diet.
Third case: Wheat allergy
Wheat allergy isn’t the same as gluten allergy, but they are related. People with wheat allergy should avoid gluten from wheat but might get it from other sources like barley. Still, they often end up following gluten-free diets because the ingredients are similar.
Common symptoms of gluten sensitivity:
Gluten sensitivity symptoms vary from person to person. Some cases show no clear symptoms which can cause wrong diagnosis. Usually symptoms appear as:
- Digestive problems: Diarrhea, bloating, constipation, inflammation of digestive tissues, and stomach pain.
- Skin problems: Rashes, eczema, and dermatitis
- Neurological problems: Anxiety, tension, poor concentration, difficulty speaking, and depression
- Other problems: Unhealthy weight loss, weak immune functions, anemia, headaches, and brittle bones
If you suspect you have gluten sensitivity, you should see a doctor and get some tests to confirm. Don't worry about switching to a gluten-free diet because food options are now many and varied.
