Wheat, Gluten and Health

Wheat, Gluten and Health

WheatFoods.org

Wheat: The Latest Dietary “Villain”
• Close to 30% of US adults* are interested in
cutting down or avoiding gluten in their diets.
• And, most are not doing so out of medical
necessity….
• Is gluten or wheat really the cause of all the
obesity and illness it is accused of?

*NPD Group/Dieting Monitor, 52 week data year ending January 30, 2013

Six Classes of Wheat

Anatomy of a Wheat Kernel
The Kernel of Wheat

Sometimes called the wheat berry,
the kernel is the seed from which
the wheat plant grows.

• Endosperm
• Bran
• Germ

What is Gluten?
Gluten is a matrix formed by the proteins gliadin
and glutenin

Gluten in the Food Supply
• Wheat is the primary source of gluten in the US
food supply
– Breads, pasta, tortillas, crackers, cookies, cakes, etc.

• Other foods that contain gluten include:
– Beer, ale, lager
– Couscous, bulgur, farina
– “Malt” or “malted” foods: malt extract, malt vinegar
(used in some pickles), malted milk, etc.
– Other sources: seasonings, broths, soy sauce, sausage,
hot dogs, deli meats, candies, and some medications

Wheat & Gluten: What’s All the Fuss?

Celiac Disease, Gluten Intolerance
and Wheat Allergy
• Very few people (1:141 or