Should everyone avoid gluten?

A gluten-free diet is something that more and more people are talking about these days. Lots of supermarkets, cafes and restaurants have improved their range of gluten-free products, offering tasty alternatives which many people feel have important health benefits.

Avoiding gluten for medical reasons

Of course, around one in every hundred people simply has to avoid gluten because they suffer from coeliac disease. This condition is an autoimmune disease which causes individuals to suffer from pain and diarrhoea upon eating gluten, according to the NHS.

Additionally, some people can struggle with a wheat allergy. This is more common in children than in adults and tends to cause bloating and abdominal pain. It can even cause anaphylaxis, although rarely.

Could cutting out gluten have other health benefits?

However, many more people are choosing to avoid gluten because of other potential health benefits. As yet, the jury is out as to how much effect this has on a person’s health. There isn’t a reliable test to diagnose gluten sensitivity, so it’s really a matter of trial and error.

If someone suspects that gluten is causing them problems, whether bloating, indigestion or nausea, for example, the best way to find out more would be to cut out gluten for a period of a few weeks and see whether symptoms subside.

Fortunately, improved ranges of alternative ‘free from’ products across supermarkets and restaurants are helping to make cutting out gluten easier than ever. For example, gluten-free afternoon tea box delivery is available from providers like afternoonteabox.com/. This means that people avoiding gluten can still indulge in a beautifully presented, oh-so-delicious afternoon tea of sandwiches, scones and cakes.

While testing isn’t available yet, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that carbs and sugars are not the healthiest of choices for our bodies anyway. By choosing healthy alternatives such as nuts, vegetables and fruits, many people find themselves enjoying more energy, better sleep and healthier skin. So, if you’re considering a gluten-free diet, there’s no need to miss out on special occasions or tasty foods!

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