The answer is, no, gluten does not make you fat (directly.) But there is a slew of other problems that gluten can potentially cause. Living gluten-free is now considered a diet “trend.” Some people cannot eat gluten because they have Celiac’s disease or very strong sensitivities. As a matter of fact, many of our own members have discovered that after they cut out all grains during their Whole30 Challenge, they had fewer gastrointestinal issues. That being said, our Whole30 participants didn’t cut out grains because it is a “trend.” Once grains were introduced back into their diets, it was confirmed that those grains do not make our Whole30 participants feel good.
Gluten is widely studied, more so than the other several molecules found in grains. But what is gluten? Jimmy Kimmel asked these pedestrians near a popular exercise spot in LA.
Pedestrian Question – What is gluten?
Those who chose to cut out grains, which contain gluten, do so because it makes them feel good and healthy. If a TV crew ever approaches you like in the video above, here are some things you should know:
1) What is gluten?
“Gluten is a two-part protein composite that is found in many grains, but most famously in wheat. It consists of a prolamin and a glutelin. Prolamins are storage proteins, and they are the “hardware stores” of the wheat structure that distribute amino acids central to the plant’s development. Glutelin is the “glue” that holds these hardware stores together.” –Whole9life
2) Why did you cut gluten from your diet?
A component of gluten (gliadin) can pass through the gut and combine with an enzyme to form antibodies. This means that your body can actually start attacking itself. These reactions can leave you with abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloat, etc. This can happen to those with severe reactions (such as Celiac’s disease) to those with moderate reactions (gluten sensitivity.)
Now you know some basics. For much more information, science and evidence, refer to:
Why Gluten-Free Isn’t Good Enough (Part 1)
Why Gluten-Free Isn’t Good Enough (Part 2)
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