The latest eating fad revolves around a term most of us didn’t even know existed a few years ago. Many dieters and health-conscious eaters around the world consider gluten to be the arch enemy in the fight against obesity. But is all the gluten-free hype blowing away, or is the science really backing this growing eating movement? The documentary Gluten: Your Gut puts it to the test by providing valuable insights from a diverse mix of nutritionists, food scientists and medical experts.
Gluten is mainly found in wheat and grains, but also in pasta, muesli, bread and pastries. A gluten-rich diet can seriously damage our health and exacerbate the onslaught of chronic inflammatory diseases, researchers warn. reason? Humans have not evolved to allow proper digestion of gluten-fortified products. From our earliest origins, humans have subsisted on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fish and nuts. Experts interviewed for the film testify that such a diet is still the healthiest and best way to eat with less fat.
There are still a plethora of potential pitfalls in the grocery aisle, even for those who avoid gluten altogether. Nutritionists advise consumers to be vigilant when shopping for gluten-free menu items. Gluten substitutes are often high in sugar and fat and can promote weight gain, which many eaters try to avoid with such diets.
For some people, a gluten-free diet is more than a dietary decision related to weight loss. The digestive system of people with the autoimmune disease celiac disease sees gluten as a poison, and consuming even the smallest amount of protein can wreak havoc on their health.
Many of the observations in the film are shocking. However, experts claim that for most people who consume small amounts of gluten have little or no adverse effects. Separating fact from fad and science from superstition, Gluten: Intuition provides a very useful introduction to our relationship with this mysterious protein.
