Gluten intolerance, also known as celiac disease affects as many as one out of every 133 Americans. Though this condition is genetically inherited, you can avoid its symptoms by adhering to a gluten-free diet. Buckwheat contains no gluten, which makes it an appropriate choice for those with gluten intolerance.
Gluten Intolerance
Gluten intolerance is an autoimmune response triggered by exposure to gluten. If you have gluten intolerance, the consumption of gluten triggers your immune system to attack the inner lining of your small intestine, causing inflammation. This inflammation damages the small, fingerlike projections that line the inner surface of your small intestine. These projections, called villi, enable you to absorb nutrients from the food you eat. Inflammation from gluten intolerance flattens these villi, hindering nutrient absorption. Gluten intolerance causes symptoms such as gastrointestinal discomfort, and can result in malnutrition.
Gluten
Gluten is a protein found in rye, wheat, barley and any food that contains ingredients made from these grains. If you are gluten intolerant, you must avoid all of these grains and any ingredients or additives made from them. Attempting to adhere to a gluten-free diet can seem daunting at first, as these grains are ubiquitous in the American cuisine. Luckily, alternative flour sources that do not contain gluten exist; buckwheat is one such source.
Buckwheat
Buckwheat isn’t wheat. In fact, it isn’t even a grain; it’s a fruit or nut. Buckwheat is a source of easy-to-digest, highly absorbable protein. It also provides carbohydrates, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Its starch can serve as a fat replacement in processed foods. Buckwheat is available in numerous forms such as flour, groats and grits. It is used as a meat replacement and is an ingredient in products such as cereals, soups, soba noodles and energy bars. Buckwheat contains no gluten, making it an excellent source of protein and nutrients for those with gluten intolerance.
Buckwheat Allergy
Some people are allergic to buckwheat. In Japan, large amounts of buckwheat are consumed in the form of soba noodles. One study found that 0.22 percent of Japanese schoolchildren surveyed had allergic sensitivities to buckwheat, according to the "European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology." This allergy is unrelated to gluten intolerance, but approximately 1 percent of those who are gluten intolerant are also allergic to buckwheat.
Considerations
Consult your doctor if you have the symptoms of gluten intolerance or buckwheat allergy. She can order diagnostic tests to determine the source of your symptoms. If you have gluten intolerance or buckwheat allergy, your doctor can refer you to a registered dietician who can recommend a diet to help eliminate symptoms.
