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Breaking Bread or Breaking Bad: Beware, Indians, Gluten Sensitivity is a Desi Thing Too?

Everybody is fixated on the enormous G- GLUTEN. Wheat is gradually moving away from our racks and is being replaced by sans gluten items. The shift is jolting for the overwhelming majority in India who are accustomed to having the grain as a staple. Gluten: An Advantage or Damage to the Body? The quick response is that it very well may be either, yet everything relies upon the person. How? Let’s find out more.

What is Gluten?

Gluten is just a protein found in grains like wheat, grain and rye. To separate it, gluten is just a protein found in grains like wheat, grain and rye. Some of the time it's even added to food things to build their protein content. Presently, as is valid for some food things, certain individuals are delicate to this protein and it appears as either Celiac illness or as non-Celiac gluten responsiveness.

Why Is There a Gluten Fascination in India?

As indicated by the 68th Public Example Review, a typical metropolitan Indian eats 4 kgs of wheat consistently. The number is 4.3 kgs for a provincial Indian. In 2018, India's complete utilization of the grain was 95,000 metric tons. We are likewise the second biggest producer of wheat on the planet. Roti, paranthas, naan, puri...yes, we're very attached to it.

Picture this: your grandmother kneading dough for chapatis, passing down the art of making the perfect roti. But are we now, as a society, questioning this age-old wisdom in pursuit of a Western dietary trend? Now, let's add a dash of cultural spice to this narrative. Imagine the aroma of freshly baked naan, a culinary delight enjoyed across the diverse tapestry of India. Sounds relishing. Isn’t it? Ever thought why out of nowhere are an ever increasing number of individuals attempting to drop it trying to go on a gluten-free diet?  We will see that in detail in the blog moving forward.

Does Gluten Have Any Medical Benefits?

Gluten is most frequently connected with wheat and wheat-containing food sources that are plentiful in our food supply. Pessimistic media consideration on wheat and gluten has made certain individuals question its place in a refreshing eating routine. There is minimal distributed exploration to help these cases; as a matter of fact distributed research proposes the inverse.

Many researches have connected this grain utilization with further wellbeing. For instance, people with the most elevated intake of entire grains including wheat (2-3 servings day to day) contrasted people eating the least sums (under 2 servings day to day) were found to have altogether lesser heart illness and stroke, type 2 diabetes, and other severe illness leading to death.


Gluten may likewise go about as a prebiotic, taking care of the "upside" microscopic organisms in our bodies. Arabinoxylan oligosaccharide is a prebiotic starch obtained from wheat grain that has been displayed to animate the action of bifidobacteria in the colon. These microbes are ordinarily tracked down in a solid human stomach. Changes in their movement have been related with gastrointestinal illnesses including provocative gut sickness, colorectal malignant growth, and touchy gut condition.

Then At What Point Is Gluten an Issue?

What's not perfect about gluten is that it can cause serious secondary effects in specific people. Certain individuals respond diversely to gluten, where the body detects it as a poison, making one's immune cells blow up and overreact. On the contrary, if an individual keeps on eating gluten, this makes a sort of struggle bringing about inflammation.

The secondary effects can go from gentle (weariness, swelling, exchanging stoppage and looseness of the bowels) to serious (accidental weight reduction, ailing health, gastrointestinal harm) as found in the immune system problem celiac sickness. Studies show that individuals with celiac sickness likewise have a somewhat higher chances of osteoporosis and weakness (because of malabsorption of calcium and iron, separately); infertility; nerve issues; and in uncommon cases cancer. 

Fortunately eliminating gluten from the diet routine might prevent the harm. A gluten-free diet is the essential clinical treatment for celiac illness. Not knowing your conditions and blindly following a severe gluten-free diet can be testing, perhaps it requires the advice of a good dietitian. Different circumstances that might require the decrease or end of gluten in the diet include:

Gluten sensitivity, also known as gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE) or gluten intolerance, is characterized by symptoms similar to celiac disease, but without the elevated levels of antibodies and intestinal damage. Unlike celiac disease, there is no specific diagnostic test for GSE, which is determined based on persistent symptoms and a negative celiac test.

On the other hand, wheat allergy involves an allergic reaction to proteins found in wheat, such as albumin, gluten, gliadin, and globulin. Diagnosis is made through positive immunoglobulin E blood tests and a food challenge. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may include swelling or itching of the mouth or throat, hives, itchy eyes, shortness of breath, nausea, diarrhea, cramps, and in severe cases, anaphylaxis. Unlike celiac disease, which is a specific intolerance to gluten, wheat allergy is a reaction to multiple proteins in wheat.

Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a skin rash resulting from gluten consumption, which manifests as a red, itchy rash that may produce blisters and bumps. While people with celiac disease may also have DH, the reverse is not always true.

It's important to recognize that gluten is only problematic for individuals who react negatively to it or test positive for celiac disease. Most people can consume gluten without any adverse effects.

Side effects are connected to absorption and the gastrointestinal lot and can now and again go similarly as setting off asthma, and even tension and sorrow, among others. The two of them require hereditary inclination and have a similar treatment too - going off gluten.

However, Our Ancestors and Grandparents Generally Ate Wheat, So Why Not Us..?

Don't have the foggiest idea what's happening with the most recent pattern of going sans gluten? Is it something beyond a vilayati frenzy? While it's true that our ancestors and grandparents often consumed wheat, it's important to recognize that the wheat they ate was quite different from modern wheat, which has undergone significant changes due to agricultural practices and breeding techniques.

Historically, wheat varieties were diverse, with lower gluten content and different protein structures compared to modern wheat. Traditional wheat varieties were also often prepared differently, undergoing processes like fermentation, which can break down gluten and make it easier to digest.

Additionally, our ancestors typically consumed wheat as part of a more diverse diet, which included a variety of grains, fruits, vegetables, and meats. This diverse diet helped to mitigate any potential negative effects of wheat consumption.

In contrast, modern diets often rely heavily on processed wheat products, such as bread, pasta, and pastries, which can contribute to overconsumption and potential health issues. Moreover, modern wheat is often used in highly processed foods that lack the nutritional value of whole grains.

Furthermore, changes in lifestyle and environmental factors may also play a role in the increasing prevalence of gluten-related disorders. Factors such as increased stress, antibiotic use, and changes in gut microbiota may contribute to a higher sensitivity to gluten in some individuals.

While our ancestors and grandparents may have consumed wheat, the type of wheat and the way it was consumed were different from what is common today. Understanding these differences can help us make informed choices about our diet and health.

Is Avoiding Gluten An Informed Health Choice, Or Is It Just Another Attempt To Mimic Western Dietary Preferences? A CONCLUSION

Does this trend REALLY translate to the Indian kitchen? Avoiding gluten can be an informed health choice for individuals with gluten-related disorders, such as celiac disease, wheat allergy, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. For these individuals, consuming gluten can lead to a range of symptoms, from mild discomfort to severe health issues.

Celiac disease affects about 1% of the global population, while non-celiac gluten sensitivity is estimated to affect around 0.5-13% of the population, depending on the region and study. For these individuals, avoiding gluten is essential to managing their condition and preventing symptoms.

However, for the vast majority of people who do not have gluten-related disorders, avoiding gluten may not offer any additional health benefits. Gluten-free products are often lower in fiber and essential nutrients compared to their gluten-containing counterparts. In fact, a gluten-free diet can be more expensive and may lead to nutrient deficiencies if not properly managed.

Some individuals may choose to avoid gluten as a dietary preference, influenced by trends in Western diets or perceived health benefits. While there is no harm in avoiding gluten if done correctly, it's important to ensure that the diet remains balanced and nutrient-rich. Avoiding gluten can be a necessary health choice for individuals with gluten-related disorders, but for others, it may not offer any significant health benefits and could potentially lead to nutritional deficiencies if not carefully managed.

References:

https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health-specials/gluten-free-diets-health-contrary-to-popular-opinion-8359819/

https://www.thequint.com/fit/gluten-wheat-celiac-disease-and-india

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/gluten/

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/what-is-gluten-and-what-does-it-do#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe%2C%20as%20humans%2C%20have,whose%20bodies%20can%20tolerate%20it.

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