Have you considered a gluten free diet? It’s one of a seemingly unlimited number of diets available today.
Gluten is a special variety of protein that is contained in several types of whole grains, such as wheat and barley.
However, it’s important to note that some whole grains are gluten-free, including:
- brown rice
- buckwheat
- corn
- oats
- soybeans
- sunflower seeds
The process of clinically studying the pros and cons of a gluten-free diet is ongoing.
However, here are some of the claims that have been made about the benefits of excluding gluten from one’s diet:
1. Faster recovery time
For weightlifters and athletes, this is definitely one of the most commonly cited benefits of a gluten free diet. A gluten-free diet may have a positive benefit on reducing one’s recovery time after exercise. It’s somewhat debatable whether or not a gluten-free diet will shorten the recovery time for everyone. However, it certainly can certainly provide benefits for those people who have a gluten-intolerance. Today, there are increasingly more “recovery” drinks and foods on the market that are gluten-free.
2. Improved gut motility and function
Clinical studies show that those people with a gluten intolerance are more prone to having various digestion problems, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The solution is to start a gluten-free diet that doesn’t contain certain whole grains.
3. Less Immune System Overload
When your body’s intake of iron is too high, your immune system fails to operate at an optimum level. This can make your body more susceptible to infections and illnesses. Immune System Overload causes no symptoms, so it’s crucial to have certain blood tests done to determine whether or not you have it. While there are various effective ways to reduce the amount of iron that you consume, one way is to alter your diet. That includes starting and maintaining a gluten-free diet.
4. Reduced Systemic Inflammation (SI)
This is one of the commonly cited benefits of a gluten free diet. While the process of SI is quite complex and technical, it can result in several unwanted conditions that result from a weaker immune system. To counter the process of systemic inflammation, experts recommend that sufferers of SI begin consuming a diet that consists strictly of whole foods and plant-based foods. They also often recommend that people with SI also eat diets that are free of certain substances, including Casein and Gluten. Such steps can provide an effective and inexpensive way to determine the causes of one’s problems with SI.
5. Improved nutrient absorption from food
A heavily grain-based diet seems to create some negative influences on the body’s ability to absorb nutrients from food. For example, a diet high in gluten can cause celiac disease, which can damage things called villi, which are contained in a person’s intestinal lining.
What’s the bottom line? Researchers are still determining the benefits and drawbacks of consuming gluten, and its overall effects on weightlifters and athletes.
However, what they have discovered that those who have a gluten intolerance should certainly consider starting a gluten-free diet. Such a diet can provide several health benefits, including the above-mentioned ones.