Study concludes Americans self-diagnose to adopt gluten-free diets

November 20th, 2020

Ailments such as Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity prevent an estimated 1 in 20 Americans from consuming gluten, the mesh of proteins that gives wheat doughs their structure.

Doughnuts, cookies, pizza crust, cake, bread and pasta are among the many wheat flour-based foods that are off limits to those who are gluten intolerant.

Yet studies show far more Americans limit their consumption of gluten than are medically required to do so. An estimated 25% of Americans follow a gluten-free diet.

Food scientists and a behavioral economist from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln recently investigated why gluten-free foods have become so popular among those who aren’t medically required to avoid gluten. In the process, they hope to shed light on what attracts people to fad diets.

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Story by Leslie Reed | UNL Communications