Do Gluten Allergies Really Exist?

Have you ever wondered if gluten sensitivity is a trend? It seems that over the years there has been an abnormal increase in people allergic to gluten, leading many to avoid gluten in hopes of dodging stomach woes. Today, we delve into an interesting study that sheds some light on this topic. And this is not including people who have been diagnosed with celiac disease, as that is a separate an far more severe condition.

Gluten and Gut Health: A Closer Look

Gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye — is often vilified, with many claiming it causes digestive issues. But for those without celiac disease (an autoimmune condition where gluten damages the small intestine), the concept of non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) has emerged. NCGS describes individuals who experience gastrointestinal discomfort after consuming gluten but don't have celiac disease. The term "allergic to gluten" can be misleading and is actually referring to either NCGS or celiac disease.

The Power of Expectation

The study in question looked at the effects of individuals with NCGS thinking that they were eating gluten versus actually eating gluten. Conducted across several renowned universities, this research adopted a double-blind, placebo-controlled methodology, ensuring participants and researchers were unaware of who consumed actual gluten.

Participants were divided into 2 groups, 1 of the groups were told they were eating a gluten food and 1 of the groups were told they were eating a gluten-free food. Then each of those groups was split in half (a total of 4 groups), one half was given gluten food, and the other half was not given a gluten food. This setup provided a unique glimpse into how what we think about our food might influence our physical reactions.

Findings That Make You Think

The study revealed that individuals who both thought they were eating gluten and actually consumed gluten reported the most significant gastrointestinal discomfort compared to the other groups (this is to be expected). However, the second most significant gastrointestinal discomfort was reported by the group that was told they were eating gluten, but did not actually eat any gluten. Their reaction was caused from their mind. The 2 other groups, those that did not think they were eating gluten, had similar levels of gastrointestinal discomfort to each other. Quite lower than than the levels reported by the 2nd place group.

What Does This Mean for You?

This study illuminates the intricate relationship between what we think about our food and our physical health. Understanding the potential impact of our mindset on our symptoms could be a key step toward better managing and perhaps even alleviating discomfort or dysfunction.

Another underlying key take-away is that it may not just be gluten that is causing issues for people, but other factors in wheat as well (which is highly processed and often contains things that are subtly toxic to our system).