With celebrities endorsing gluten-free diets and numerous studies claiming that gluten is a potentially harmful compound, it’s no wonder that more people are going gluten-free every year. A gluten-free diet excludes all gluten-containing foods. Gluten is a protein that is naturally found in a range of grains, including wheat, rye, barley, and spelt. Even some foods that don’t naturally contain gluten may be contaminated with the protein if manufactured in the same warehouse as gluten-containing grains. Gluten is often added to foods to enhance their texture. It acts as a binding agent and adds extra flavor to these foods. Therefore, you might spot gluten on the nutritional labels of a wide range of food products in the grocery store. It’s even found in some beauty and cosmetics products too.
