09/11/2025
Why is Gluten Unhealthy?
The simple truth is that humans cannot digest gluten. We can consume foods that we can’t digest – we also cannot digest fiber and beans, for example. In small quantities, it is usually not an issue.
The dangers of gluten come into play when we consume large amounts of it (at every meal, for example) and especially if we have a genetic tendency to react to gluten.
Here’s what happens: undigested proteins from gluten (also known as gliadin) get noticed by the immune system in our gut, triggering an inflammatory response that can spread throughout the body.
What are the Negative Health Consequences of Gluten?
Gluten then causes leaky gut, an immune system/digestive issue in which the cells lining the intestines, and the space between them, is damaged, allowing food to leak through (gluten and as well as other food) and to trigger inflammatory responses while decreasing absorption of nutrients.
Leaky gut has been associated with such chronic health issues as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, liver disease, neurological issues (like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s), and cancer.
Identifying a Gluten Intolerance
As mentioned before, 1 in 4 people have a gluten intolerance—so it’s quite possible, if not likely, that you have one.
Some indications include tiredness, anxiety, depressed mood, insomnia, bloating, IBS, eczema, allergies, sinusitis, and low thyroid function. Even hormone imbalances—such as PMS, PCOS, and unexplained infertility—have been tied to gluten intolerance.