Dr. Mel Ona | Music * Medicine * Mind

You stopped eating gluten. Your bloating improved. But was gluten actually the problem?

Here’s something many people don’t realize:
Wheat contains more than gluten.

It also contains fructans, a type of fermentable carbohydrate belonging to a group called FODMAPs.

When gut bacteria ferment these carbohydrates, they produce gas.

For people with sensitive digestive systems, this can contribute to bloating, cramping, and changes in bowel habits.

And here’s where things get interesting.

When you eliminate wheat, you’re removing BOTH gluten and fructans.

So if your symptoms improve, which one was responsible?

For some people, particularly those with IBS, fructans may be the bigger trigger.

That may explain why someone feels better avoiding wheat but continues experiencing symptoms after eating foods such as garlic or onions, both rich in fructans.

Feeling better without wheat doesn’t automatically mean you’re gluten-sensitive.

And before eliminating gluten, remember that celiac disease should be evaluated when appropriate, ideally while you’re still consuming gluten.

The food you eliminate isn’t always the ingredient causing the problem.

#GlutenSensitivity
#FODMAPs
#Fructans
#IBS
#Gastroenterology