Recently, I came across the headline “Less gluten – more diabetes.” American scientists with 30 years of research results. ” So I decided to check what interesting research this is, where the media downloaded such wonderful information and how reliable the message is.
First, however, what did I read about in the article so interestingly titled? I learned that “a low gluten diet can promote the development of diabetes.” I continued reading that “Those who consumed the most gluten had a thirteen percent lower risk of developing diabetes.” Everyone who likes sweet buns, crunchy wheat bread and various biscuits will breathe a sigh of relief! They’ll definitely think, “Awesome! Finally, I can eat 6 slices of white bread and a ton of biscuits every day, because I counteract type II diabetes “… The media provided us with another wonderful novelty from the world of science. After all, 30-year research – it’s long, 200,000 study participants – it’s a lot, scientists from the American Heart Association, which is a very respected organisation – are reliable. This must be true!
Are you sure?! To find out, I had to reach for the source and read the aforementioned scientific study.
A surprise from the very beginning! No publications have been published yet … The above information comes only from the meeting report of scientists belonging to the American Heart Association. It is a fundamental difference whether we quote a scientific publication or just a meeting report. The meeting was intended to look at the first results of the study. The study and statistical analysis of the results have not been completed yet! At the end of the report there is a clear note saying that these are not official results, they are only preliminary observations. The American Heart Association is not responsible for the accuracy and reliability of the data presented, as the study is neither completed nor published.
What did I learn after reading the ENTIRE report? Because this is not the point to quote one sentence taken out of context … I do not mean a flashy headline, I mean the truth and what dietary recommendations really should be directed to my clients.
I learned that statistical work to show relationships with other factors has not yet been completed. Nevertheless, it is already known that people who eat the least gluten also eat much less fiber, cereals and groats, even those gluten-free. It is probably the lack of fiber, B vitamins and deficiencies of many other micronutrients that must be blamed for the increased risk of type II diabetes. You will probably find that eliminating gluten itself is not to blame for anything.
What else did I learn after reading the ENTIRE report?
- scientists in no way suggest that reducing gluten in the diet in any way causes diabetes (statement by Lauri Wright, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics);
- scientists have not yet developed a full statistical analysis, so factors such as physical activity, BMI, daily calories, family history of diabetes, etc. have not been taken into account (statement by Geng Zong, Department of Nutrition, Harvard University). Analysis of influencing factors, so-called co-factors are very important! Thanks to them, we isolate the influence of factors and we know exactly whether diabetes was caused by obesity or a lack of gluten;
- it should be emphasised that the number of people on a gluten-free diet has increased threefold only in five years (2009 – 2014). Trend and fashion meant that many people decide to eliminate gluten “on their own” without consulting a specialist. This repeatedly causes a lack of a balanced diet, too little fiber and many other micronutrients in the diet. Dr. Zong suggests that people who do not have celiac disease should re-think gluten.
My summary
First of all, you can’t believe everything the media puts in front of your nose … Sometimes these are really sentences out of context or interpretation of facts to create a flashy headline.
Secondly, if you plan to make big changes to your diet, consult a specialist first. It may turn out that although the desire to change to a healthier diet was enormous, ignorance or incompetent balancing of meals will only lead to health problems.
