Gluten-free foods are becoming more popular as there is plenty of discussion about the health benefits of going gluten-free.
You may be surprised to learn that you can find gluten in countless common food items, including bread, cereals, snacks, beverages, and even some sauces. This may make it seem difficult to avoid products with gluten, but it is well worth the effort.
Let’s take a look at the biggest health benefits of a gluten-free diet.
While there are plenty of myths surrounding the gluten-free diet, the truth is that it offers some incredible benefits to anyone looking to improve their health and wellness. It is also an essential part of reducing the negative symptoms experienced by those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Increased Energy
Many people with gluten sensitivity experience chronic fatigue. This is because their intestines become damaged when they consume gluten products. This then impairs the absorption of several key nutrients including iron. A deficiency in iron can lead to anemia, which causes debilitating fatigue and exertion intolerance.
Switching to a gluten-free diet provides your intestines the opportunity to heal. This helps restore nutrient absorption and increase your energy levels.
Losing Weight
It is common to lose weight when you switch to a gluten-free diet. The main reason for this is because it eliminates many foods that add unwanted calories. Most of the time, these foods are replaced with fruit, veggies and lean proteins.
That being said, it is important to eat processed gluten-free foods like pastries in moderation, because they can quickly add a lot of calories to your diet.
Reduced Inflammation
Inflammation is a naturally occurring process that the body uses to treat and heal infections. However, inflammation can sometimes get out of hand and last weeks or even months. This is referred to as chronic inflammation and can lead to various health problems.
A gluten-free diet has been shown to reduce markers of inflammation like antibody levels. It can also help heal gut damage caused by gluten-related inflammation.
Healthy Digestive Tract
People with gluten sensitivity can develop scar tissue and delayed gastric emptying when they try to digest gluten-based foods.
On the other hand, a gluten-free diet is friendly to the digestive tract. For example, the nutrients in gluten-free bread are fully absorbed and encourage the production of good bacteria in the intestines.
Reduced Bloating
Those with celiac disease or gluten intolerance usually experience some form of gas or bloating after eating foods with gluten. Switching to a gluten-free diet can make this digestive distress disappear. After you switch, you will likely notice an almost immediate difference as your stomach will be far less likely to bloat after meals.
Reduced Joint Pain
While celiac disease or gluten intolerance are typically associated with the gastrointestinal tract, they can also affect other areas of the body. Celiac disease causes an abnormal immune reaction, which increases the risk of inflammation. This can lead to joint pain in the knees, back, and wrists. Switching to a gluten-free diet can help reduce this type of joint pain. However, it is important that you do not ingest even a small amount of gluten because it could lead to a recurrence of your symptoms.
Reduced Lactose Intolerance
The lining of the gut is responsible for producing the enzyme lactase, which breaks down the lactose from dairy products. Since people with gluten intolerance suffer from damage to the gut, they have impaired lactase production and can exhibit symptoms of lactose intolerance. Fortunately, this effect is temporary, and switching to a gluten-free diet can promote gut health and reduce the symptoms of lactose intolerance. At Outrageous Baking, we bake our breads and cakes with ZERO gluten, ZERO dairy and lots of love, so you can always enjoy your favorites in good health and good spirits. We also have a new line of vegan breads with ZERO eggs!
Fewer Headaches
Scientists have begun to discover the close connection between the gut and the brain. There are several ongoing studies focused on discovering the exact implications of the gut-brain connection. Studies are clear, however, that people who suffer from celiac disease and gluten intolerance are more likely to experience migraine headaches. Studies also show that opting for a gluten-free diet can help reduce the amount of these headaches.
Improved Bone Health
People with undiagnosed celiac disease commonly suffer from extreme calcium deficiency because of the malabsorption of nutrients. This calcium deficiency is linked to an increased risk of bone problems including osteoporosis and osteopenia. Fortunately, studies have shown that celiac patients who switch to a gluten-free diet experienced significant improvement in bone density.
Reduced Hair Loss
Studies have linked celiac disease and gluten intolerance to nutritional deficiencies which can lead to hair loss. Switching to a gluten-free diet can help reverse this type of hair loss and improve hair density.
Gluten-Free Diet Baked Goods
A gluten-free diet offers many health benefits even if you don’t have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.
You may think switching to a gluten-free diet is tough, especially with all the delicious baked goods you can no longer eat. However, Outrageous Baking has the perfect solution!
We offer a variety of gluten-free and dairy-free treats that taste just like your mom’s homemade recipes. From cinnamon coffee cake to pumpkin or chocolate zucchini bread, our gluten-free breads and cakes are a true delight. Visit our store today to find delicious gluten-free treats that your entire family will enjoy in good health!
