Gluten-free 'isn’t best for general health'
There was no overwhelming evidence to suggest it was beneficial to avoid gluten-containing grains, researchers from the University of Warwickshire have said.
The claim is in the report ‘Review of the dietary, health and environmental status of wholegrain cereals’, funded by wheat-based cereal manufacturer Weetabix and revealed at Food Matters Live yesterday (November 19), which argues wheat consumption is beneficial to health.
“Benefits are increased where wholegrains have undergone relatively little processing,” said Dr Rob Lillywhite, the lead author.
‘Overwhelmingly positive’
“The evidence to suggest that consumption of wholegrain wheat, which contains a higher proportion of dietary fibre compared to oat products [and] is good for individuals, is overwhelmingly positive.”
“Consumption of wholegrain will increase health and help to maintain a healthy body weight,” Lillywhite added.
However, the report was criticised by Michelle Berriedale-Johnson, founder of the FreeFromAwards and editor of the FreeFromMatters websites.
Cutting-edge coeliac research had suggested there could be a wide-range of gluten sensitivities, which did not fall within the parameters of coeliac disease, as it was currently understood, she said.
“Moreover, it is arguable that 21st Century diets have become overloaded with wheat-based products, both processed and whole.
‘More traditional’
“So, allergy/gluten-sensitivity issues aside, a rebalancing of the diet away from wheat-based products towards a more traditional ‘meat/fish and two veg’ diet may bring health benefits,” Berriedale-Johnson added.
Wholewheat was preferable to highly-processed wheat and findings from the research that echoed that opinion were welcomed, she said. “It is a very wholesome food and is certainly infinitely preferable to highly-processed wheat.”
Meanwhile, the UK’s gluten-free market has been forecast to grow by 46% to £561M by 2017 and had already seen double-digit growth since 2008.
Genius, a major gluten-free food manufacturing company, revealed plans to FoodManufacture.co.uk’s sister title Food Manufacture last month that it would work on reducing the fat, sugar and salt content of its products.
