Sausages, chocolate and gravy could be triggering underlying health condition
Did you know that everyday foods - and particularly tasty ones at that - could be triggering an underlying health condition?
While family favourites such as sausages, gravy and especially chocolate often go down a storm, they can all contain gluten - a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye. Those intolerant to it - but perhaps don't know it yet - will experience unpleasant symptoms within just an hour of mealtimes.
Thanks to increased awareness of the condition, around ten per cent of the UK are now 'gluten free' - leading to a very fast-growing section of the supermarket, with an ever-expanding range of alternative foods on sale. As such, MyHealthChecked's registered UK nutritionist Isabela Ramos Podboi told Express.co.uk how to heed the warning signs of gluten intolerance.
Isabela said: "Gluten plays a crucial role in the texture and structure of baked goods, giving them elasticity and chewiness. It is commonly found in foods that contain flour such as breads, pasta, cereals, cakes and biscuits."
Gluten can also be found in some:
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- Sausages
- Gravies
- Sauces
- Stock cubes
- Soy sauce
- Chocolate.
"For many individuals, the consumption of foods containing gluten is associated with adverse intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms," Isabella added.
Gastrointestinal symptoms can include:
- Bloating
Abdominal pain and cramps
Diarrhoea or chronic diarrhoea
- Flatulence (excessive gas)
- Constipation
Extraintestinal symptoms can include:
Joint pain
- Fatigue
Skin problems (rashes, eczema)
- Headache
- Mood changes (irritability, depression, anxiety)
- Neurological symptoms (such as numbness or tingling).
While many people with a gluten intolerance could experience symptoms within an hour, others could have a delayed gluten reaction, where symptoms can take up to 12 hours - or more - to appear.
What causes a gluten intolerance?
Isabella said: "Variants in specific genes known as HLA-DQ are associated with a substantially increased risk of being intolerant to gluten.
"Taking a genetic gluten intolerance test may help determine whether you carry the genetic variants that could lead to the potential development of gluten intolerance."
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The test could also reveal if you have the genetic variations that put you at increased risk of developing coeliac disease. Coeliac disease is the "most severe type of gluten intolerance", which is an autoimmune condition.
Isabella explained: "Coeliac disease, an autoimmune condition whereby the consumption of gluten triggers an inappropriate immune response and the production of antibodies that damage the small intestine. This can lead to inflammation, improper digestion and the malabsorption of nutrients."
If you discover you have a genetic risk for a gluten intolerance, Isabella said to "consult your doctor for additional tests".
MyHealthChecked at-home health and wellbeing tests are available online and in-store at Boots.
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