Is going gluten-free the right choice for you?

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

Consumer Reports recently published its investigation weighing in on whether going gluten-free is really a healthy choice for everybody. For those suffering from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, it is a necessity, but what about those of us just looking to lose weight and gain more energy? The report, which mainly focuses on the risks of such a diet, has stirred a lot of debate, with some perceiving the findings as a pro-grain advertisement while others finding a balanced coverage of the facts.

According to Consumer Reports, 63 percent of more than 1,000 Americans surveyed by the Consumer Reports National Research Center “thought that following a gluten-free diet would improve physical or mental health. About a third said they buy gluten-free products or try avoid gluten. Among the top benefits they cited were better digestion and gastrointestinal function, healthy weight loss, increased energy, lower cholesterol, and a stronger immune system.”

However, despite the strong belief in the benefits of cutting gluten out of one's diet, Dr. Alessio Fasano, director of the Center for Celiac Research at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, told Consumer Reports that there is not enough research to back these claims.

Just a reminder.