What Are the Benefits of a Gluten-Free Diet?

You may hear a lot about being “gluten free” in the news and see menus offering gluten-free meals when you go out to eat. However, what does it mean to be gluten free and how does it affect your body? Gluten is a general term that is used to describe the proteins that are found in wheat, rye, barley, and triticale, which is a cross between wheat and rye. People suffering from celiac disease go on gluten-free diets to alleviate or eliminate some of their symptoms, including:

• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Joint and muscle pain
• Abdominal pain
• Migraines

A gluten-free diet is necessary for people with celiac disease, which attacks your small intestine when gluten is ingested. Although only one percent of the population has celiac disease, it is four times more prevalent than it was 60 years ago. Additionally, a gluten-free diet can be beneficial for those with autism, ADHD, or people who have wheat allergies. Learn more about foods that are naturally free of gluten so that you can consider the benefits of cutting it out of your diet.