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One of the biggest myths we hear about gluten is that everyone could benefit from a gluten-free lifestyle. While some people do suffer from Celiac Disease or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, most people can consume gluten without any issues. However, many people still incorrectly believe that gluten-free products are healthier than foods that contain gluten.
Gluten plays an important role in our foods, serving as a “glue” that helps foods maintain their structure. When a food manufacturer removes gluten from their products, they need to replace it with something else that will help hold those foods together. Common additives include rice flour or milled corn. These additives do not add any health benefits, and may in fact make a food less healthy.
Let’s see a head-to-head comparison of some common foods to see the differences:
As you can see, while the nutrition facts are similar, gluten-free products tend to have more calories, sodium, and sugar. In fact, according to a recent European study, over 650 gluten-free products were studied with similar results. If you don’t have a medical reason to avoid gluten and want to improve your health, the best choice is a clean, organic diet.
It’s your body. Run it well.™
Photo credit: Austin Kirk
