going gluten-free is a “waste” for most people
I’ve been extremely skeptical of the whole “gluten-free” fad that has been so popular for the last few years. Of course some people do experience relief from their bloating or irritable bowel syndrome or whatever by going to gluten-free. However, as I’d long suspected, it isn’t really the gluten in the food that is the problem – it is the other things that normally go along with what the gluten is contained in.
Finally, there is scientific evidence to support my hunch.
Daily Mail article on gluten-free being a waste
Dr Biesiekierski’s colleagues at Monash University in Melbourne, led by respected gastroenterology expert Professor Peter Gibson, were investigating how chemicals called FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) in the diet could trigger symptoms in people with irritable bowel syndrome.
Unlike gluten, which is a protein, FODMAPs are sugary molecules that naturally occur in a range of foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains and dairy. The most widespread are fructans, which are carbohydrates found in wheat, fruits and vegetables.
Other common FODMAPs include lactose (milk sugar) and polyols, including artificial or naturally-occurring sweeteners such as xylitol and sorbitol…..
‘But every single person improved more on the FODMAP-free diet. Then, when we gave them gluten without them knowing, 90 per cent of them had no symptoms of intolerance.’In other words — it’s not sensitivity to gluten, it’s a reaction to FODMAPs that is causing the problem.
So what are some foods with FODMAP?
Garlic.
Onions.
Beans (for example, red kidney beans, broad beans).
Brassicas (for example, cauliflower, cabbage).
Dried vine fruits (for example, raisins, sultanas).
Some fruits and juices, including apples, pears and mangoes.
Processed meats.
Wheat-based breads, cereals and pasta.
Dairy foods (for example, cow’s milk and related products such as cream or cheese).
Sweeteners such as xylitol, sorbitol and honey.
Let’s be careful about going after any new fad, and treat this marvelous body God has given us the best we can.