What Is Gluten? 

Gluten is a type of storage protein found in large quantities in wheat, rye, and barley.¹ It is also commonly known as the substance that causes autoimmune response in people with celiac disease.^1,2  

What Is the Gluten-Free Diet?

Gluten-free diet is a diet that eliminates the consumption of gluten.³ It has primarily been developed for individuals with celiac disease who must strictly follow a gluten-free diet to prevent malabsorption, nutritional deficiencies, and chronic complications. In the recent years, however, the diet has gained popularity among people without celiac disease with the belief that the gluten-free diet may be associated with other health benefits.¹  

Does Gluten-Free Diet Reduce Diabetes?

Following the gluten-free diet is essential for health for individuals with coexisting celiac disease and diabetes. However, the diet’s benefit on diabetes and metabolic health in individuals without celiac disease has not yet been founded. One study that investigated the association between gluten intake and the risk type 2 diabetes found that gluten intake was inversely related to risk of developing type 2 diabetes.¹ The research concluded that the greater the gluten intake, the lower the risk. It suggested that restricting gluten intake may limit the intake of grain and cereal fibers that are beneficial to metabolic health. Other studies also indicate that the gluten-free diet may be associated with weight gain, leading to significantly greater intake of carbohydrates, protein, and fat than those who did not follow the gluten-free diet.² Gluten-free foods are also higher in glycemic index and fat content while being with lower fiber, protein, vitamin, and mineral contents than foods with gluten, which may also explain why the diet has not been shown to benefit metabolic health.^2,3

Given the lack of evidence that gluten-free diet can lower the risk of diabetes or improve metabolic health, individuals without celiac disease should follow the gluten-free diet with caution and after consultation with their health care professionals.