Diet or fad? Unjustified deprivation of this ingredient is harmful to health.

Here you will find all the materials from the 21st Health Market Forum

• A gluten-free diet is a therapeutic diet, recommended only when medically indicated.
• Unjustified exclusion of gluten can lead to nutritional deficiencies and constipation.
• Whole grain cereals are crucial for health and provide complex carbohydrates, including dietary fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals

A gluten-free diet , which involves the complete elimination of gluten (i.e. cereal protein) from the daily diet, is applicable to people diagnosed with celiac disease, Dühring's disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity or gluten allergy - reminds the National Institute of Public Health PZH - National Research Institute.

Gluten is also known as cereal protein, or more precisely, a mixture of proteins naturally occurring in cereal grains. It is found in wheat, i.e., spelt, emmer, and einkorn; as well as triticale, rye, and barley . Gluten can be found in almost all edible products, even medicines and cosmetics. While some grain products are naturally gluten-free, such as oats, buckwheat, and rice , there is a possible risk of gluten contamination.

Risks of a gluten-free diet

The National Institute of Public Health, National Institute of Hygiene, emphasizes that a gluten-free diet is a therapeutic diet, and unjustified gluten restriction does not bring health benefits and may even worsen the quality of the daily diet.

Whole-grain cereals, such as whole-grain breads, pastas, cereals, whole-grain groats, and brown rice, are a key part of a healthy daily diet. They are a valuable source of complex carbohydrates, including dietary fiber, as well as vitamins and minerals.

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Research shows that people on a gluten-free diet are at greater risk of nutritional deficiencies and constipation. This is due to the degree of processing of gluten-free products and their lower content of valuable nutrients.

"Therefore, don't avoid gluten in your diet unless necessary. Adopt a gluten-free diet if you have medical indications," dietitians urge.

They emphasize that the decision to modify the diet should be preceded by an appropriate diagnosis performed under the supervision of a doctor.

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