Friday, 18 January 2013

How Gluten Affects the Body



Too much of fuss is associated with unhealthy fast food and its consequences regarding deteriorated health all over. But we still crave for the mouth-watering pizzas and delicious cookies, even after knowing all the negative impressions attached with our guilty pleasures. Logically thinking, it does make sense, because healthy alternatives are often superseded with taste. But it is not always the case! Great taste can be relished without compromising with the quality or replacing healthy alternatives. It only needs a little thinking, and some knowledge about different ingredients for a salutary yet savory feast.

 Following the lead, fast foods like Gluten Free Cookies, Gluten Free Panko Bread Crumbs, and Gluten Free Pizza Crust, etc. are gaining huge popularity in the United States. According to national American daily ‘USA Today’, about 25% of the people are opting for gluten-free foods and the number is ever increasing. For all who don’t know, gluten is a protein commonly found in wheat and other cereals like rye, spelt, and barley. That is, all the food items made from these grains like bread or pasta automatically comprise of gluten unless it is made gluten-free. Although there is no such thing as gluten-free food, it is a term given to foods to which less gluten is added than the minimum limit that can be harmful. Gluten provides the rich texture and apt thickness to the food products. This property makes it a key ingredient of processed foods, for example, sauces, soups, gravies, marinades, dairy products and other edibles like coffees, bouillon, liquors etc.

Some people are genetically allergic to gluten. They experience numerous health problems like osteoporosis, anemia, and diarrhea. The medical term known as ‘Gluten Intolerance’ classifies different ailing conditions — celiac disease, wheat allergy, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity — that affects around 7 to 10% of the population. Our body’s immune system is irrelevantly warned & to act abnormally due to gluten proteins causing digestion problem, illness, hives, or difficulty in breathing. In some cases, severe allergy can cause anaphylaxis that can even lead to death.

Therefore, alternating gluten free food to the diet not only protects people who are allergic to gluten, but it also saves from general health conditions that happen over longer period of time like obesity, indigestion, and overall physical and mental disabilities. So, those who want to remove gluten from their diet choose the food products carefully, read all the food labels to see if it contains gluten or not. And prefer enjoying food items such as Gluten Free Cookies, Gluten Free Panko Bread Crumbs, and Gluten Free Pizza Crust instead that offer a more healthy choice for your favorite yummy food!