Is Gluten Your Friend Or Foe - Find Out For Yourself. Before seeping into the details of this argument lets try to understand why there arises a need to analyze what is gluten-friend or foe.  It is estimated that every year about 3 million Americans are diagnosed with celiac disease, which is a disorder inflicted by dependence on foods containing gluten.   The health conscious generation is slowly waking up to the dangers of gluten products and as a result more and more gluten-free products are hitting the market shelves.

Where is gluten found?
Before looking into various gluten benefits or dissecting into an argument about gluten-friend or foe it is important to know from where it comes from? According to Wikipedia “Gluten is a protein composite that appears in foods processed from wheat and related species, including barley and rye. “Medical practitioners have coined the term BROW (Barley, Rye, Oat, and Wheat) to help their patients to identify the food products where gluten are found.  Normally Barley is not a form of gluten because it is grown in the fields where wheat and rye is grown.

Is gluten your friend or foe?
If a person suffers from celiac disease, then gluten foods will do him more harm than gain. The immune system and small intestine are affected by gluten. The damage inflicted by gluten weakens body and affects its ability to absorb vital nutrients. The health conditions inflicted by celiac disease include bloating, constipation, abdominal pain, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and fatigue.

No weight loss – is it one of the gluten benefits?
Now we need to dissect what is gluten-friend or foe. This argument may prove beneficial because health conscious generation is always in search of quick weight loss techniques. The news that gluten may negate the effects of weighloss supplements may come as a shock for some. But experts don’t agree with this point because they argue that weightloss depends on what gluten-free foods you consume. If a person cuts down on pastas, cookies, desserts, cake, cereal, breads etc and concentrate more on lean meats and vegetables can certainly feel the difference.

But there are many who find it difficult to stay away from gluten –heavy foods for long may find solitude in gluten-free versions. These gluten-free versions may do more harm than gain because they are prepared from cheap derivatives and usually low in vitamins and nutrients.  Experts say that if such people are really bothered about weightloss and gluten-free alternatives then one should make intelligent choices like legumes, amaranth, buckwheat, etc.

Experts say that for realizing exact gluten benefits people should avoid gluten-heavy foods and make healthier food choices.  Now, it’s totally your prerogative to identify what is gluten-friend or foe.

Gluten benefits are many!
By now you might be in a position to identify what is gluten- friend or foe, but believe us it ain’t that bad.  Some of the most appreciated benefits of gluten include supplying necessary fiber and nutrients. 

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