Gluten Intolerance

ELI5 - After 30,000 years of humanity surviving off of bread, how do we have so many people—within the last decade, especially—who are allergic to gluten?

It's unclear why more people are developing gluten intolerance. While some claims may be exaggerated, there is a real increase in cases. Gluten intolerance, different from celiac disease, could be linked to changes in our gut microbiome or in the way we process bread.

The gut microbiome's role is still being explored, and while it's a likely factor, our understanding is limited. If you have questions, I might help.

Regarding bread processing, one theory suggests that wheat germ, which is nutritious, aids in gluten digestion. Modern methods often remove the germ for longer shelf life, losing these nutrients. Although we add back certain vitamins and minerals to flour, it's possible we're missing something crucial that prevents gluten intolerance. This could be related to immune responses or changes in gut bacteria. But, the exact cause remains unknown.

By Alex 11 months ago