In the past few decades, both the public and the medical community have realized that gluten – the protein that is the basis of many grains – can be detrimental to digestion and overall gastrointestinal health. People who react most severely to gluten are considered to have a gluten allergy, but many people are just sensitive to it. Either way, a gluten free diet is one of the only options for both of these types of people.
Gluten can be found in wheat, rye, barley and other common grains. Its prevalence in mainstream food can make it hard for those with a gluten allergy or gluten intolerance to find foods they can eat. Luckily, with the growing number of people realizing their health problems are caused by a gluten allergy, gluten free diet plans are becoming more common. The most successful gluten free diet not only avoids gluten at all costs, it also includes the prebiotic plant fibers that sustain intestinal bacteria. Keeping these bacteria happy and healthy is key to treating gluten intolerance because they are what keep digestion and the intestines functioning properly.
With a combination of eating less gluten and more prebiotic plant fibers, people with gluten sensitivities can eat a wide variety of food and keep their gastrointestinal system healthy.