Gluten is a protein found in grains such as wheat, barley and rye. It’s primary function is to help foods maintain their shape - making it a critical part in the making of some of our favourite foods such as pasta, bread and pizza!
See also: Celiac Disease vs Gluten Intolerance: What’s the Difference?
What are the benefits of gluten?
Although foods containing gluten have their own nutritional values - gluten itself doesn’t actually provide any.
With that said, studies suggest that the consumption of wholegrains, and foods containing gluten, can have a number of health benefits, these include [1]:
- Lower risk of heart disease
- Reduce risk of stroke
- Lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes
- Support health digestion
- Reduce risk of obesity
According to Harvard Health, gluten can also act as a prebiotic - “feeding the ‘good’ bacteria in our bodies” which can help in balancing bacteria in our digestive system and stimulating activity in the colon [2].
See also: What Causes Celiac Disease?
While foods containing gluten can have their benefits, they can also cause serious side effects in those with celiac disease. If you experience discomfort after consuming foods containing gluten, it’s important to know more - this can be done by taking a trip to your doctor or by taking an at-home lab test.
LetsGetChecked offers a Celiac Test which can be taken from the comfort of your own home. This test must be taken following six weeks of a gluten-containing diet to ensure accurate results. Online results will be available within 5 days and our medical team will be available to answer any questions you may have along the way.
See also: Celiac Disease: What are the Signs and Symptoms?
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