Gluten is an ingredient found in many types of food, especially staple carbohydrates like bread and pasta. Some people have an allergy to gluten, known as celiac disease, which makes eating anything with gluten a risky proposition. As a result, many gluten-free alternatives and products have been introduced in recent years that make it easier to avoid gluten.

Is there a point to avoiding gluten if you do not have celiac disease? Actually, a gluten-free diet can be beneficial in a few ways. Here are some reasons to look for gluten-free items when you hit the organic food market.

It Could Help Relieve IBS

In some cases, people with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, can benefit from a diet free from gluten. Some studies have linked gluten ingestion to intestinal inflammation and gastrointestinal symptoms in subjects with IBS, so cutting back on products that contain gluten may be able to help you reduce how often IBS symptoms flare up.

Improved Energy Levels

In some cases, cutting out foods that contain gluten can actually help improve your energy levels. Some foods rich in gluten can slow you down or adversely affect your gut health, making you fatigued. You may find that avoiding gluten gives you the energy you need to get more done and make the most of your days.

Weight Loss

In some studies, a gluten-free diet has been linked to weight loss. It may not necessarily lead to massive weight loss, but when combined with exercise and a healthier lifestyle going gluten-free might help you reach your weight loss goals.

It Eliminates Many Unhealthy Foods From Your Diet

If you go gluten-free, you may find that some unhealthy foods that you occasionally ate are no longer going to fit into your new diet. Many fried foods and desserts, for example, contain gluten. Cutting them out could make a big difference and ensure that your new, gluten-free diet is a lot healthier than your old diet was. This is especially true if you replace some of your former go-to snacks and meals with healthy fruits and vegetables, which many people end up doing when they go gluten-free.

Promotes Digestive Health

As we mentioned, going gluten-free can help people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome, but a gluten-free diet could also help improve digestive health in people without such a disorder. Going gluten-free could help your gut create more “good” bacteria and promote better digestive health overall.

Reduced Risk of Heart Disease

Because your gluten-free diet could help you cut out so many unhealthy items, going gluten-free could also help you reduce your risk of developing certain health conditions. Cutting out many processed foods, for example, can help you lower your cholesterol or reduce your risk of heart disease. Additionally, going gluten-free can help you ward off germs and disease because some of the foods you are eating could contain more vitamins and antioxidants that help you fight back.

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