Are there benefits of going gluten free? The gluten-free diet holds strong amongst its adherents — but is gluten intolerance even a thing? Dr. Jeff Sankoff and Training Peaks debunks the GF craze.
For most of the past 10,000 years, our relationship with wheat was very much a happy one. Humans had a healthy, reliable food source at the ready, enabling us to establish villages, cities, and entire civilizations. In 2011, this relationship came into question by cardiologist William Davis, who first suggested that rather than being a wholesome grain, wheat might in fact be “the perfect chronic poison”. A decade later, the gluten-free craze continues unabated without much scientific evidence to support its efficacy.
History of the Gluten-Free Diet
According to Davis, gluten, a protein found in wheat, initiates a subtle inflammatory response in the gut of all humans, which initiates a cascade of effects over time that results in disease. Davis posited that this newfound problem is a result of alterations to wheat in the last several decades to make it more disease resistant and easier to grow. His book Wheat Belly went on to become a bestseller, sparking the creation of the gluten-free diet (GFD) along with the multi-million dollar GF food industry.
Read more including “The Benefits of Going Gluten Free” trainingpeak.com.
Looking for a Gluten-free drink for for workouts? All Tailwind Nutrition products are gluten-free, vegan, soy & dairy free including these sweet recovery popsicles.
