Can leaving gluten help prevent gas and bloating? Experts weigh in

In recent years, going gluten-freehas gained considerable traction, with advocates touting it as a solution for various digestive problems.

In fact, dietitian Garima Goyal took to Instagram to share that if you are facing gas or bloating, then you need to only make one change to your diet. ‘Stop gluten,’ she said.

Highlighting that it is found in foods like wheat roti, maida, suji, and upma, Goyal urged individuals to stop consuming these and see if they are feeling any difference. ‘The best way to do this is by following your normal diet for 3 days and check your resting heart rate in bed.

Note it down, and then after 3 days start having a gluten-free diet. After starting a gluten-free diet, you have to check 2 things: your resting heart rate and check whether these problems are resolving or not,’ she added.

Goyal recommends doing this for 20 days to check if you feel any difference in your body. ‘If you still doubt whether you should stop gluten, you can take a food intolerance test or a gene test,’ she advises.

To verify these claims, we reached out to experts to find out whether gluten has any impact on digestive health.

According to Nivya Vikal, consultant dietitian-nutritionist at Motherhood Hospitals in Noida, removing gluten from the diet may help people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, as it can cause digestive symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. However, she pointed out that there is no evidence that a gluten-free diet will improve health or prevent disease for individuals who don’t have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

‘The benefits of going gluten-free are mainly for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity, as it can help ease digestive symptoms, reduce inflammation, and boost energy levels,’ she explained, adding that some people with certain autoimmune disorders, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or gastrointestinal conditions, may find symptom relief by following a gluten-free diet.