Scientists from the University of Copenhagen found that eating a low-gluten, high-fiber diet changes bacteria in the gut, decreases gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating and is linked to modest weight loss.
The changes in intestinal comfort and body weight relate to changes in gut bacteria composition and function.
The research was conducted by Oluf Pedersen et al.
An increasing number of people choose a low-gluten diet, even though they’re not allergic to it.
The trend has sparked public debate about whether or not low-gluten diets are recommended for people without allergies. Now, researchers have looked into it.
In the study, the team tested 60 middle-aged healthy Danish adults with two eight-week interventions comparing a low-gluten diet (2g gluten per day) and a high-gluten diet (18g gluten per day).
The two diets were balanced in the number of calories and nutrients including the same amount of dietary fibers. However, the composition of fibers differed markedly between the two diets.
Researchers found that, in comparison with a high-gluten diet, a low-gluten, fiber-rich diet induces changes in the structure and function of the complex intestinal ecosystem of bacteria, reduces hydrogen exhalation, and leads to improvements in self-reported bloating.
Moreover, they found a modest weight loss, likely due to increased body combustion triggered by the altered gut bacterial functions.
The researchers conclude that the effects of low-gluten dieting in healthy people may not be primarily due to reduced intake of gluten itself but rather to a change in dietary fiber composition by reducing fibers from wheat and rye and replacing them with fibers from vegetables, brown rice, corn, oat, and quinoa.
A low-gluten diet has previously been proposed to diminish gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome, disorders that occur in up to 20 percent of the general Western population.
The current study suggests that even some healthy individuals may prefer a low-gluten diet to combat intestinal discomfort or excess body weight.
The team says gluten-free may not necessarily be the healthy choice many people think it is.
Most gluten-free food items available on the market today are massively deprived of dietary fibers and natural nutritional ingredients.
Therefore, there is an obvious need for the availability of fiber-enriched, nutritionally high-quality gluten-free food items that are fresh or minimally processed to consumers who prefer a low-gluten diet.
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