Gluten is basically a special type of protein that is found in foods such as cereals, certain grains, and wheat. One of the main purposes of gluten is to keep intact the elasticity in foods during the phase of food production. Gluten makes bread “chewy,” and prevents other foods from having a sticky, doughy-like texture.
Benefits of Avoiding Processed Foods
Many processed foods that are available on the market contain a lot of gluten, which is essentially unhealthy for you. Overly-processed food is bad for you because it contains lots of chemicals and artificial flavors.
On a gluten free diet, you are expected to eat more fruits and vegetables, because they represent food sources that are non-starchy, and almost completely gluten free. By eating only gluten free foods, you will also be eliminating unhealthy oils from your diet, as well as unhealthy carbohydrates found in bread products like doughnuts and pastries.
A Gluten Free Diet Reduces Risk of Certain Diseases
Eliminating processed foods and following a gluten free diet can help reduce your risk of heart disease, certain cancers, and other health-related conditions, like diabetes, if you are gluten intolerant.
A Gluten Free Diet Helps Body Fight Viruses
One of the benefits of the gluten free diet is that it can also help your body ward off viruses and germs, just because many of the foods you eat will be full of antioxidants and essential vitamins and minerals.
Gluten Free Diet Benefits for Healthy Weight Loss
Once you start the gluten free diet trial, pay attention to food labels and beware of replacements. Most of gluten free foods available are healthy for you, and can also help you lose weight with the right combination and other foods proportions. Always keep the portion size in mind!
Benefits of a Gluten Free Diet for Athletes
The carbo-load myth according to which athletes need carbs before an event to maintain their energy over long periods of physical exertion makes it difficult for their digestive systems to break down gluten, causing digestion problems that hinder the amount of energy they have for use.
Gluten free carbohydrates such as quinoa, brown rice and corn are easier to digest and thus leave athletes with more energy and quicker recovery times. Of course, the athletes are not strict gluten free dieting all of the time, just before and during their respective seasons for better performance.
Read more on the topic:
What is a Gluten Free Diet?
Gluten Free Diet Weight Loss
Gluten Free Diet: Choosing Gluten Free Foods