Gluten-free diet: imprudent dietary advice for the general population?

GLUTEN-FREE DIETING HAS GAINED CONSIDERABLE popularity in the general population.1-3 Between 2004 and 2011 the market for gluten-free products grew at a compound annual growth rate of 28%, with annual sales expected to reach approximately $2.6 billion in 2012.2 As of April 20, 2012, Amazon.com listed 4,765 entries for the topic “gluten-free.” AGoogle search at the same time for “gluten-free diet” produced more than 4.2 million results. The number-one reason consumers cite for buying gluten-free products is that they are perceived to be healthier than their gluten-containing counterparts.3 Endorsements from celebrities have undoubtedly contributed to the increased awareness of possible health benefits of gluten avoidance, including weight loss.4,5 Despite the health claims for gluten-free eating, there is no published experimental evidence to support such claims for the general population. In fact, there are data to suggest that gluten itself may provide some health benefits, and that gluten avoidance may not be justified for otherwise healthy individuals. Our primary purpose is to briefly describe this evidence and raise awareness of the potential pitfalls of adopting a gluten-free diet in persons without diagnosed gluten-related disorders.