Want to keep your teeth? Stick to whole grain carbohydrates

Gluten free foods contain more fat, salt and sugar than their gluten-containing equivalents, and are generally more than twice has expensive, a study published yesterday found.

Researchers at the University of Hertfordshire said it was clear that gluten free (GF) products offer no nutritional advantage to regular foods and are not a healthier alternative, which may surprise many consumers.

They also found that gluten free foods were 159% more expensive than their regular counterparts.

A study found that gluten free products are not healthier alternatives to regular food – and they’re considerably more expensive too (stock image)

More than 1,700 food products from Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Ocado, were compared by researchers. 

They found that, with the exception of crackers, gluten free foods contained more fat, salt and sugar and also had lower fibre and protein content than their equivalents.

A GF diet is the only treatment option for those who suffer from coeliac disease but many more people in the UK and around the world avoid gluten foods as it is perceived to contribute towards a healthy lifestyle. 

This has lead to a huge increase in sales of GF foods in recent years. 

A gluten free diet – of which Victoria Beckham Gwyneth Paltrow and Miley Cyrus are said to be fans – avoids the proteins found in wheat, rye and barley.  

Advocates believe our modern diets have become increasingly high in refined wheat products and believe over consumption may lead to digestive symptoms such as bloating, pain and stomach cramps in those who are sensitive to gluten.  

It is believed that around 13 per cent of the UK population are gluten-free. And the figure is even higher in the US, with a quarter saying they had consumed such foods in 2015 – a 67 per cent increase in two years. 

The findings come after gastroenterologist Dr Suzanne Mahady, a senior lecturer, Monash University, earlier this week said only those diagnosed with coeliac disease – caused by a reaction of the immune system to gluten, which is different to gluten sensitivity – should keep to the strict diet. 



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk