While people who have Celiac Disease and gluten allergies most often eliminate gluten from their diet, there are other health conditions that can benefit from a gluten-free diet too. In fact, you may find that eating gluten-free is the answer for what’s ailing you.
One of the greatest benefits of eating a gluten-free diet can be weight loss. When you eliminate gluten, you eliminate a lot of the fatty foods that cause weight gain in the first place. The number of cakes, cookies, and donuts you can consume, for example, will be limited.
While it’s possible to eat gluten-free and not lose weight, most people will find that they drop quite a few pounds when they make the transition. Of course, if you substitute all of your bread for French fries, you may not see those results. Similarly replacing cookies with gluten free cookies isn’t the goal either. The goal is real food–organic and unprocessed is best!
Gluten has been known to cause inflammation in many people. As a result, it can exacerbate conditions that cause chronic pain such as multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and other auto-immune disorders. You’ll find that your symptoms may decrease from eating gluten-free.
Diabetes is another condition that often improves with a gluten-free diet. Foods that are high in gluten are also often high in simple carbohydrates. These foods tend to cause insulin and blood sugar levels to go haywire.
Many people who have irritable bowel syndrome find relief from eating a gluten-free diet. Gluten can cause problems such as constipation, diarrhea, gas, and cramping. You may find that by eliminating gluten you can eliminate many of these symptoms.
A gluten-free diet can also lead to lower levels of cholesterol and decreased risk of heart disease and stroke. You’ll be eliminating many unhealthy foods and focusing on adding healthful foods such as lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables.
While many people avoid gluten because of an allergy or intolerance, the benefits of a gluten-free diet extend beyond that. There are many health conditions that can benefit from a gluten free diet and if you choose to eat this way, you’ll experience overall good health.
