Uncover what gluten is and what it does for the body

Have you ever heard of foods that are gluten-free? He said, it is healthier and better for the body. But did you know that gluten is the type of substance that the body actually needs? Then, is it true that gluten-free foods are healthier?

What is gluten?

Gluten is a protein found in grains and cereals, wheat, rye (rye), barley (barley) and triticale. Gluten acts as a glue that helps keep food stuck and keeps the shape of the food. There are two main types of protein in gluten, namely glutenin and gliadin.

When we mix flour with water, gluten protein forms a sticky network that has a glue-like texture.

This glue-like property makes dough elastic, and gives the bread the ability to expand when baked, giving it a chewy texture.

Why is gluten bad for some people?

Most people have no problem digesting gluten. However, in some people, gluten can cause various health problems, such as:

1. Gluten intolerance

Gluten intolerance is a condition characterized by the body's inability to digest gluten protein. This gluten intolerance still causes quite mild symptoms. When a person has severe gluten intolacin, the condition is called celiac disease.

2. Celiac disease

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder. In people with celiac disease, their immune system recognizes gluten as a dangerous substance, so it attacks the gluten and the lining of the intestine. This of course makes the intestine damaged, eventually causing various health problems such as indigestion, anemia, and the risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Symptoms of celiac disease include discomfort in digestion, tissue damage to the small intestine, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, headaches, fatigue, skin rashes, depression, weight loss and foul-smelling stools. Sometimes, people can experience fatigue or anemia, or even without any symptoms. This makes celiac disease difficult to diagnose. In fact, 80 percent of patients are unaware of their condition.

3. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity is a term used to denote a condition in which a person is not diagnosed with celiac disease but still experiences discomfort when consuming gluten. This disease is still controversial. Some experts consider this not a real condition.

4. Irritable bowel syndrome

Another form of gluten intolerance is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This disease is a digestive disorder with symptoms of abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, gas and diarrhea. Studies show that a gluten-free diet can relieve IBS.

5. Wheat allergy

About 1 percent of the population has an allergy to wheat. This condition makes the patient suffer from various digestive problems after consuming gluten.