Gluten is a natural protein that is found in wheat, barley and rye. It causes a lot of discomfort in people who have certain health conditions such as Celiac Disease. Gluten also leads to other stomach problems and contributes to weight gain, which is why many people are now going gluten-free. If you are planning to do so too, take a list at the points below and you will get many good reasons to give up gluten.
- Helps treat Celiac disease
Celiac Disease is a type of digestive disorder. Here, the GI tract and the small intestine cannot tolerate even the slightest amount of gluten. Apart from experiencing symptoms such as stomach cramps and nausea, you also experience sharp pain in the abdomen. This happens because your small intestine gets bruised and with repeated exposure to gluten, the small intestine can gradually become ineffective.
- Aids in better digestion
Even people who do not have Celiac, feel bloated and uneasy after consuming a lot of gluten. Gluten causes bloating and gas, which can be very uncomfortable. So, if you wish to have better digestion and not suffer from the regular points of acidity, indigestion, diarrhoea, etc, shift to a gluten-free diet and notice a very prominent change in your digestive health. Wheat, rye and barley products often contain complex carbs which are difficult to break down and this further causes digestive problems, so they are best avoided.
- Helps in weight management
As mentioned above, gluten causes bloating. This makes you look and feel much heavier than you are. Also, gluten acts as a glue and binds everything you eat in your stomach, preventing them from passing through the intestines. This hampers your metabolism and leads to weight gain, which is unhealthy and unhelpful for your weight management goals.
- Can control thyroid problems
Thyroid is a small gland located in your throat and it secrets a hormone that regulates many functions in your body. However, at times, this gland malfunctions and either secretes too less or too much of the hormone, leading to a thyroid disorder. Gluten is said to aggravate all kinds of thyroid disorders, so if you have a thyroid problem, avoiding gluten would be a very good idea for you.
- Helps you to eat healthy food
The foods that contain gluten are usually loaded with carbs and sugars and don’t have a lot of nutritional value. When you leave out these foods and substitute them with vegetables, fairy products, proteins, etc, you get a lot of nutrition, which proves to be very helpful.
The bottom line
If you are gluten intolerant or have been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, then giving up gluten is your only option. If that is not the case, you will still benefit a lot by reducing the consumption of gluten and will notice a big and positive change in your overall health very soon.
