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What Is Gluten-Free?

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One of the newest and most controversial nutrition fads has centered around “gluten-free” food. For some people, the idea of living a gluten-free lifestyle is not optional, but necessary. However, this only applies to the 1% of Americans with celiac disease (Jaret 1). For people with this condition, eating gluten can be dangerous, because it can damage the lining of their small intestine and prohibit nutrients from being absorbed (Jaret 1). But what about the rest of us? Why have the production and purchase of gluten-free products increased, even though the amount of people with celiac disease has not? Is consuming gluten-free food healthier than consuming food without gluten? The answer is unequivocally and without a doubt, no. In fact, not …show more content…

Gluten is a large component in wheat, barley, and rye. It is also found in smaller amounts in many whole grain foods related to wheat, including bulgur, farro, kamut, spelt, and triticale (Jaret 1). Giving up gluten would mean giving up most breads, crackers, cereals, pastas, pastries, and a wide range of processed foods. These whole grains play an important role in our diets. They are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B, iron, and fiber (Jaret 2). Studies show that they may help lower risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and some forms of cancer (Jaret 2). The 2010 Dietary Guidelines suggests that Americans consume half of their necessary carbohydrates from such whole grain products (Jaret 2). Seeming as people who do not eat gluten can not consume these and most other whole grains, they are at an increased chance for malnutrition. Peter H.R. Green, MD, the director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University, says that "unless people are very careful, a gluten-free diet can lack vitamins, minerals, and fiber" (Jaret 1). In 2005, the American Dietetic Association concluded that most gluten-free products are low in a wide range of important nutrients, including B vitamins, iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and fiber (Jaret 2). Green extends his theory and makes a broader claim saying, “any time you eliminate whole categories of food you’ve been used to eating, you run the risk of

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