Cutting gluten out of one’s diet has become a trend lately, but is there any substance behind the claim that being gluten-free is a healthier choice?
Gluten is the mix of proteins naturally found in cereal grains like wheat, barley and rye. It’s present in almost every packaged food you could imagine. While it may be healthy to cut out these processed products, gluten itself isn’t harmful. That is, unless you have celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where consuming this substance can cause serious damage to the intestine. This disease only affects 1% of the population, but a survey from research firm NPD Group shows that gluten-free living appeals to about 30% of American adults.
Lots of misinformation surrounds the gluten-free diet, but check out the radio piece below to get the truth straight from the source. I talk with Grace Sulzman, a sophomore here at KU, who has been following a gluten-free diet for the last 7 years after being diagnosed with celiac. We bust misconceptions, dive into the lifestyle and even talk about restaurants here in Lawrence with good gluten-free options. Listen in.