What is Gluten and why is it bad for some people?

Chances are you have heard one way or another someone in your family, your surroundings, in social media or simply a celebrity advocating for a Gluten-free lifestyle.

You have probably heard of people who had some allergic reactions to this component or in more complex situations those who suffer from conditions such as Celiac disease ( An autoimmune disease in which the patient cannot consume Gluten at all or else they will suffer from extreme diarrhea, painful bloating... ).

What is Gluten? and what is the harm in consuming it?

We will not get into the scientific definition and components, as it can be quite confusing but in simple words Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, it is somehow the glue or bond that allows bread to rise, keep the consistency and elasticity to the dough to able to do so and keeps pasta together.

Gluten is in so many foods that we consume daily: Wheat, rye, barley, flour, bread, pasta, cakes, cookies, biscuits, your morning bowl of cereal, pancakes and even the soja sauce that accompanies your sushi! It can be in anything even in some vitamins and medications.

This is the reason why for people who are allergic, checking the components notice is a must since even in small quantities, Gluten can be extremely harmful to them.

Unfortunately, as it can be part of a sauce, stuffing, and other foods without any clear warning or indication hence endangering the consumer's health.

Mother’s worst nightmare is that their Gluten intolerance children, might during recess at school reach out for the wrong snack, exchange treats with friends or enjoy a piece of cake at a friend's birthday and end up in the ER.



Thankfully, there are plenty of choices for those of you who are Gluten intolerance, a lot of homemade recipes, alternatives foods and even big companies that are choosing today to be more inclusive and cater to all their customers sacrificing the taste for the health needs.

Many restaurants include it in their menus, and stores have entire Gluten-free aisles for you to shop without any fear or concern. Schools and teachers realize the danger and are more mindful, even cafeterias offer Gluten-free alternatives for the students.

So there you have it, some might see it as a trend or a soccer mum tantrum but Gluten can be dangerous to some people and a Gluten-free diet is a great opportunity to cut back on the pasta, bread and all the carbohydrates that can do more harm than good to our metabolism.

Always make sure to consult your physician before any diet changes and regarding your allergies.alert-error
What are the struggles you, family members or friends face as Gluten intolerance? How do you do your grocery shopping? Share with us on the comment sections below.