Eating Gluten-Free Without a Medical Reason? Think Again

Originally Posted By: HealthDay News Eating “gluten-free” when there’s no medical need to do so won’t boost your heart health — and might even harm it, a new study warns. Gluten-free diets have soared in popularity in recent years. But, shunning gluten has no heart benefits for people without celiac disease, and it may mean consuming a diet lacking heart-healthy whole grains, according to the quarter-century study. “For the vast majority of people who can tolerate it, restricting gluten to improve your overall health is likely not to be a beneficial strategy,” said study leader Dr. Andrew Chan. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. People with celiac disease — less than 1 percent of the U.S. population — have an immune system reaction when they eat gluten, triggering inflammation and intestinal damage. They also have an