Are Gluten-Free Diets The Best Alternative?

Our recommendation is that you stay informed about any diet that you are going to follow, particularly gluten-free. Don't become carried away by fad diets or substitutes that promise miracles. Remember, the basis of all food is healthy food, with variety and adequate proportions.
Are Gluten-Free Diets The Best Alternative?

Last update: 29 November, 2018

Every day there are more and more people who, despite not being celiacs, choose to follow a gluten-free diet. Next, we will analyze what this diet means for health and the reason why so many people choose this option. Keep reading to understand everything about gluten-free diets.

What is a gluten-free diet?

This diet consists of totally eliminating gluten from the daily diet, just as if the person were celiac. Gluten is a protein that’s found in wheat, oats, barley, and rye. That’s why these four foods and their derivatives are forbidden for people who follow this diet.

It seems simple! Follow a celiac diet and lose weight more effectively than by following a conventional diet. But is it that simple? Do you really get results? Let’s continue to analyze this controversial diet to verify if it’s as beneficial as it seems.

Gluten-free breads.

The reality is that, yes, you will lose weight by following a gluten-free diet. This is because most caloric foods contain protein. In addition, practically all fast food also contains gluten. Thus, all the foods that make you gain weight are banished from the diet and can’t be consumed.

If after reading that it’s an effective diet in terms of weight loss, you might be thinking about following it? We recommend you keep reading. Never start a diet without first knowing its side effects.

What dangers does this diet have?

Completely eliminating gluten from your daily diet can lead to serious health problems. Before following this diet, keep reading to learn about the consequences that it may have for your body.

  • Fiber deficit. Whole grain cereals have high fiber content. This nutrient is essential for the proper functioning of the digestive process and for intestinal transit. A fiber deficit causes constipation and digestive problems.
  • An increase of toxic metals in the body. A study confirmed that celiac people have up to twice as many toxic metals in their bodies, than a person who consumes this protein. Specifically, the metals found were arsenic and mercury. For a person with celiac disease, it’s healthier to contain these metals in greater proportion than the consequences that gluten would have for their body. On the other hand, it doesn’t make any sense to accumulate these metals if the person only avoids gluten to lose weight and there is no intolerance.
  • More likely to suffer from heart disease. Regarding the health of the heart, the absence of gluten doesn’t report any benefit. It is the opposite. Several studies have shown that gluten-free diets can cause worse cardiac output.
Woman with stomachache for eating gluten-free foods.

Conclusion

After reading about all of the risks involved in following this diet, we recommend that you don’t eliminate gluten. It’s wrong to associate this protein with unhealthy foods because of the simple fact that most fast foods contain it.

People who are celiac or intolerant to gluten can’t consume this protein, and in the long term, it can cause damage to their body. The reality is that consuming gluten causes serious damage in the short term too, so it’s logical to banish it from your diet. On the other hand, if the goal is to lose weight and there is no type of intolerance, there are better diets.

Remember, the basis of any diet should always be a varied, complete and balanced diet in adequate proportions. Otherwise, the only goal achieved is weight loss in exchange for putting our health at stake.


This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.