If you are avoiding gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, you have lots of company. For reasons such as Celiac's Disease, potential weight loss and overall heath, Americans are limiting gluten in their diet. From 2003 to 2008, the number of new gluten-free products on the market soared from 135 to 832, according to research firm Mintel and reported in U.S. News and World Report---with sales estimated to increase 15 to 25 percent in upcoming years.
Celiac Disease
Approximately 1 percent of the population suffers Celiac Disease, a condition that triggers diarrhea, abdominal pain and bloating when gluten is consumed. This immune disorder is diagnosed through a blood test and intestinal biopsy. However, there are likely many more Americans with Celiac's because as many as 95 percent of people who have it do not know it, according to an article from U.S. News and World Report. Also, there is often a delay in diagnosing or a misdiagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome, unrelated anemia or stress. Since 2003, the number of diagnosed cases of Celiac Disease has risen from 40,000 to 110,000, with an estimated 3 million cases having gone undiagnosed, according to Alessio Fasano, medical director of the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research.
Symptoms of Celiac Disease include frequent diarrhea, constipation, boating, unintended weight loss, anemia, unexplained fatigue, headaches, mouth ulcers, bone or joint pain and, in children, a failure to grow.
Weight Loss
Though there is not a lot of evidence that a gluten-free diet leads to weight loss, it has nonetheless caught on as a way to potentially lose weight. When healthy people eliminate gluten from their diet, whether they lose weight depends on what they eat instead of gluten. Many gluten-free products include extra sugar or fat to make it more palatable and using those products can actually lead to weight gain. However, if eliminating gluten leads to consuming a fewer number of calories with healthful grain substitutes such as quinoa, amaranth and millet, it can lead to weight loss. This is more likely due to reduction of overall calorie and fat intake, rather than the specific cause of avoiding gluten.
Feeling of Well-Being
Even if someone doesn't have Celiac Disease, they might have gluten intolerance or sensitivity. Approximately 15 percent of people could test negative for Celiac Disease, but will feel better when they eliminate gluten, according to U.S. News and World Report. Approximately 15 to 25 percent of consumers buy gluten-free products, says USA Today, which is much higher than the amount of people recommended by their doctors to go gluten-free. However, as with weight loss, these feelings of health and well-being might be because they are eating more fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods, which are more likely to contain gluten, according to Health.com.
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