The current gluten free trend may not be as healthy as many converts think it is.

New research from the United Kingdom, shows choosing to avoid gluten without a medical reason, actually could be detrimental.

Melissa Mackay reports.

TRANSCRIPT

The gluten free fad has become so popular that global sales of GF products have increased by 12.6% in the last year.

But buying gluten free can be tough on the wallet.

Erika Harman, Accredited Practicing Dietician: “A family, including two children would be spending 17% more of their budget on groceries if they were following gluten free.”

Gluten free options in cafes and restaurants are increasingly common.

Danielle O’Neal, Wray Organics: “Most people say they’re avoiding gluten. That’s the phrase they’ll use.”

There are some people who suffer from diseases such as coeliac, irritable bowel syndrome or have gluten allergies that are medically required to dodge gluten.

Coeliac disease affects approximately one in 70 Australians, but data collected by the CSIRO suggests that up to one in ten of us are avoiding gluten.

Researchers at the British Medical Journal conducted a 26-year study and found gluten consumption has no adverse effects on health, in those that don’t need to cut it from their diet.

Erika Harman, Accredited Practicing Dietician: “In the absence of a true medical reason, people aren’t doing themselves any favours by avoiding gluten in their diets.”

At the end of the day, it’s all food for thought.

Melissa Mackay, QUT News.