More people are trying to get healthy these days. As a restaurant, coffee shop, or bakery, you have a growing market right there.
The question is, what can you offer besides low-calorie muffins and sugar-free desserts? Answer: wholesale gluten-free products.
What Is Gluten-Free?
Gluten is a type of protein found in many kinds of grains. These include:
It is a significant source of total protein for the carb source. It is also responsible for giving dough its sticky consistency and allowing it to rise.
Many studies also link it to several adverse health effects:
1. It Can Trigger an Autoimmune Condition
An autoimmune disease is a medical condition wherein the body's immune system attacks tissues and organs. The causes remain complicated, but many scientists already know some of the triggers.
One of these is gluten, which raises the risks of celiac disease. It is a chronic disorder of the digestive system that results in damage to the small intestines.
2. Gluten May Also Cause a "Leaky Gut"
Some studies also suggest that regular consumption of gluten can develop leaky gut syndrome or loose intestinal permeability.
The small intestines have junctions that allow only nutrients to pass through the bloodstream. Everything else-from microbes to toxins-remains in the tract.
When the junction loosens up, the gap widens. It can overstimulate the immune system, which sits close to the small intestines. It may then result in inflammation and autoimmune disease.
Gluten may cause a leaky gut when the body cannot digest it properly. It may also change the composition of the gut flora, which is the community of microorganisms in your intestines. These alterations may also be a factor for intestinal permeability.
3. It Increases the Risk of Obesity
A 2015 research in the International Journal of Obesity revealed that gluten might also lead to weight gain and obesity. It reduces thermogenesis or the ability to burn calories by the fat tissues.
The team experimented on animal models, and so it's unclear whether the results would be the same when done on humans.
Nevertheless, the connection between obesity and gluten should not be put aside. After all, the former is a known risk factor for chronic diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes.
Gluten-Free Products Are for Everyone
Some health experts claim that only those with celiac disease should avoid eating gluten. An otherwise healthy person may miss the chance to eat heart-healthy grains.
In reality, it may benefit many people. For example, a 2017 study showed it might be ideal for people with type 1 diabetes. It's because those with an autoimmune condition are more likely to develop similar diseases.
Others are consuming gluten to help them manage digestive-related symptoms, such as:
- Food sensitivity and allergies
- Bloating and gas
- Abdominal pain
- Changes in the bowel movement
A 2018 study in Nutrients, meanwhile, showed how a gluten-free diet could help manage mood disorders. These include depression and anxiety.
The mechanism remains investigation, although a nerve called vagus connects the brain and the gut.
The market for gluten-free products is growing. In the United States alone, the market could grow from less than $4 billion in 2019 to $6.43 billion in 2025, according to Statista.
You can use it to fuel the growth of your business by offering wholesale gluten-free products. Not all "gluten-free" are real, though. The reason is cross-contamination. When choosing your vendor, understand their manufacturing process, especially quality control and safety protocols. Keep in mind that you're not just selling a healthy product. You're trying to help protect other people's health as well.
