Why is gluten bad for your gut

Many Americans are considering cutting back on the amount of gluten in their diets or avoiding it altogether. However, nutritionists say that if this is not done carefully, the diet can be unhealthy.

In a recent poll, 30 percent of adults said they wanted to "cut down or be free of gluten," according to The NDP Group, the market-research company that conducted the poll.

That's the highest percentage of people to report having this goal since the poll began asking the question in 2009, NDP says.

Gluten is a protein found in many grains, including wheat, rye and barley. It's found in most breads, cereals, pastas and many processed foods, according to WebMD.

Gluten-free foods

People who havea condition calledceliac disease develop an immune reaction to gluten that damages the intestine, and so they need to avoid the protein. About 1 percent of the population has celiac disease.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing.

By purchasing a subscription you are helping

should we avoid wheat

should healthy people avoid gluten