Gluten free food or gluten free often consumed as a way to lose weight. In fact, gluten-free foods are intended for people with certain medical conditions.
Gluten is generally used to give a chewy and elastic texture to food dough. Although gluten is considered safe for consumption, it can also be harmful to health if consumed in excess.
In addition, there are some people with certain medical conditions who cannot eat gluten. This is why some food products are labeled gluten free or gluten free.
Gluten Free at a glance
Gluten is a type of protein found in grains, such as wheat and barley or barley. Gluten can also be found in some processed foods, such as pasta, bread, and cereals.
However, some over-the-counter food products often carry labels gluten free on product packaging. This means that the food does not contain gluten protein. Foods with this label are generally intended for people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance.
If you don't have both conditions, you can just eat food gluten free while still paying attention to the nutritional content in the food products to be consumed.
This is because gluten-free processed foods usually do not contain much protein, folic acid (vitamin B9), niacin (vitamin B3), and other B vitamins that are needed by the body.
In addition, foods with these labels also do not contain other nutrients that are also important for the body, such as calcium, magnesium, fiber, and iron, so they are not healthy for consumption.
Side Effects of Eating Foods Containing Gluten
For those who have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, eating gluten can trigger side effects.
In people with celiac, the immune system will overreact after consuming gluten. This reaction can damage the lining of the small intestine and inhibit the absorption of nutrients.
In addition, there are some side effects that can be experienced by people with celiac disease if they consume gluten, including:
- Bloated
- Diarrhea
- Stomach ache
- Weight loss
- Body feels weak
- Anemia
- Osteoporosis
Celiac disease can affect both adults and children. In children, the symptoms shown can include abdominal pain, flatulence, weight loss, to growth and development disorders.
Side effects of consuming gluten can also be experienced by someone with gluten intolerance. The symptoms shown are more or less the same as those with celiac, but not to the point of causing damage to the small intestine.
Keep in mind that gluten-free diets are intended for people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance. If you don't have both conditions, you can still eat gluten-free foods.
However, you should also meet your daily nutritional needs by eating healthy and nutritious foods, such as fruit, vegetables, low-fat meats, and whole grains. If you want to eat gluten-free foods, you can eat whole grains or brown rice.
If you experience certain symptoms after eating gluten-containing foods, talk to your doctor about your complaint so that proper examination and treatment can be carried out.