‘GOING GLUTEN-FREE IS NONSENSE UNLESS YOU’RE COELIAC’

Think ditching gluten is good for you? Dr Christian says you should think again

Ahuge new study has revealed that dodging gluten could do you more harm than good if you don’t have coeliac disease. It isn’t good for your heart, because you miss out on important whole grains. But heart-health aside, it’s unnecessary – and by restricting foods you’re perfectly able to digest, you risk missing out on nutrients.

Only about 1 per cent of people in the UK have coeliac disease, but a third of us now avoid gluten. If you’re coeliac, a tiny amount of gluten damages the lining of your small intestine, causing nasty symptoms like diarrhoea, wind, constipation, nausea, tiredness, and ulcers. It’s not just feeling a bit bloated after a big meal and should be taken seriously. You can be sensitive to gluten, but talk to your GP about it first.

GLUTEN MYTHS

People claim gluten is “toxic,” and is to blame for everything from obesity to autism. That’s not true. A slice of rye bread isn’t toxic – it’s good for you. Think about it this way: a slice of sourdough bread contains three ingredients – flour, water and salt – and people won’t touch it. A gluten-free protein bar can have 20-plus ingredients, including emulsifiers, flavourings, hydrolysed collagen and tapioca starch – yet people gobble them up!

People often cut out gluten to lose weight, but the reason they slim down is often because they’re avoiding biscuits, cakes and “refined” carbs like cheap bread. People also claim a glutenfree diet boosts energy, but it’s normal to feel tired after eating because your body is digesting.

Avoiding gluten can mean you don’t eat enough fibre, which is crucial for gut health. Your gut influences everything from obesity to depression. It’s also the main source of B-vitamins, essential for maintaining a healthy immune system.

A PRICIER OPTION

A gluten-free diet is expensive – a pack of wholemeal pittas costs 50p, but gluten-free is £2.50. And many options are packed with salt, sugar or bulking agents to make it more palatable.

In the study, researchers followed more than 40,000 women for 15 years and those with the most restrictive diets had a 62 per cent higher risk of heart attacks and strokes than those who ate normally. So if you’re not coeliac and you’re trying to be healthy by avoiding gluten, you’re really not!