In an interview with Europa Press Salud Infosalus, in connection with the publication of ‘Nutrición sin miedo’, by Montena, it is mentioned that gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, as well as in rye and its derivatives, and it is pointed out that «for the majority of people, gluten does not pose any problem, and can be part of a completely normal diet.»
At the same time, this expert emphasizes that dairy products are a super important source of nutrients for our diet, providing vitamin D, calcium, and proteins, while also noting that they are not inflammatory.
«Neither gluten nor milk are inflammatory. It may not sit well with you, as there are conditions related to their consumption such as celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or intolerance or allergy to lactose, which can indeed be inflammatory. But only in these cases. There is no scientific evidence to support that they are inflammatory for the entire population. They are inflammatory in certain individuals with specific conditions as mentioned; but for the general population, they are not inflammatory. In fact, for a long time they have been staples of our diet, like bread and potatoes, or for example, pasta in Italy,» emphasizes this nutrition expert.
Therefore, Giaquinta insists that gluten and milk should not be eliminated from our diet without first undergoing the necessary tests by a specialist because doing so could delay the tests. «If you have digestive discomfort, seek out a professional who can perform the necessary tests and provide a diagnosis. Tests for 200 foods are a scam, so before paying a lot for something, make sure you know what you really need,» she asserts.
THERE IS NO DIET THAT IS INFLAMMATORY
Furthermore, we asked this expert about inflammation, which is currently a popular topic, leading to discussions about anti-inflammatory diets or supposed foods that cause inflammation.
First and foremost, this dietitian-nutritionist emphasizes that «there is no specific food that can cause inflammation,» except if you are celiac or in the situations mentioned earlier. At the same time, she points out that being inflamed is not something you can feel, but rather a molecular marker that shows up in blood tests; a state very different from the bloating we may feel after eating or not getting enough exercise on a given day.
«Your habits can lead to a more or less inflammatory state. There is no anti-inflammatory diet. You have to see where that inflammation comes from, as it may be the result of an autoimmune condition that, no matter how much you eat in a supposedly anti-inflammatory way, if you don’t treat that condition, your illness will not be cured. Therefore, you need to address the underlying condition first, and then solve the problem of inflammation,» she emphasizes.
She believes that the information being disseminated to the public about inflammation is coming «from fear,» ‘don’t do this because it’s inflammatory,’ for example, without taking into account the individual’s context. «Information should be provided through support, not fear or guilt. This is not promoting health,» she states.
BLOATING VS INFLAMMATION
Additionally, this dietitian-nutritionist argues that many times we have all experienced that uncomfortable feeling of abdominal bloating after eating: «Although it can be bothersome, it is important to understand that it is not always a sign of a serious health problem.»
Giaquinta believes that promoting the idea that this bloating is pathological is alarming and «benefits supplement brands that sell products without scientific evidence»; so if the bloating persists, it is best to consult with a specialist.
«The discourse of systemic inflammation in dissemination is very biased and has really been promoted so that we buy supplements and other magical remedies that only scratch the surface of the problem. Bloating is a feeling of being more tired or swollen after eating, and inflammation is a cellular marker that you don’t know about until you have a blood test. Sometimes it can be perceived when you are diagnosed with a condition like arthritis, osteoarthritis, or celiac disease, for example, over time. You can feel bloating but not inflammation,» concludes this dietitian-nutritionist expert in eating disorders.
