Gluten-Free: What and Why?

Many of you have been asking questions like: “Why Gluten-Free?” and “What is Gluten?” In this post, we’d like to answer those questions for you as simply and fully as possible!

WHAT IS gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in any product containing wheat and/or grains – check out the Celiac Disease Foundation for a list of products to look out for. This substance essentially helps to bind other ingredients together, preventing baked goods from being too dense or crumbly.

WHY are some people “gluten-free”?

First of all, some folks are allergic to gluten, some are intolerant to gluten, and some just choose to be gluten-free because it’s simply a healthy way to live! There can also be different reaction levels to gluten. Some may get an itchy rash, some may feel like their stomach is heavy or tied up in knots, some may suffer from a runny nose/itchy eyes/sneezes, some may have asthmatic-like symptoms, etc.

I have some of those symptoms… do I have Celiac Disease?

The Celiac Disease Foundation describes Celiac disease as “a serious autoimmune disease that occurs in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide.” However, some people get unpleasant symptoms when they eat gluten even if they don’t have celiac disease. According to WebMD, there has only been a little research done on gluten intolerance that is not linked to celiac, but it has been shown to actually exist. So you could definitely be having those symptoms without actually having celiac disease – but either way, a gluten-free diet is recommended in order to alleviate symptoms and live a healthier lifestyle! However, if you are experiencing these symptoms when you eat gluten and/or have a family member who suffers from Celiac disease, it would be a good idea to get tested by a doctor in order to catch it early and prevent further damage to your body.

If you are looking for some gluten-free products to aid in your dietary endeavors, check out the Old Dutch Cupboard’s gluten-free shelves! Ask any employee to point you in that direction. We carry varieties of Bob’s Red Mill, Good Health, and Snyder’s gluten-free products. Feel free to check the individual item’s ingredient list/description section to make sure the item is gluten-free, and also to find out if it has been made in a facility that also processes wheat.

Resources used in this post:

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/news/20131212/celiac-disease-gluten-sensitive#1

https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/what-is-celiac-disease/

https://celiac.org/gluten-free-living/what-is-gluten/