Here's how gluten can affect your hair and skin health (2024)

New Delhi,UPDATED: Nov 29, 2022 14:04 IST

Diet is a debatable topic, especially when it pertains to skin, hair and weight loss. Experts abide by the mantra that no one rule works for all and that's when gluten comes into the picture.

With several brands selling gluten-free products, many people have been wary of how this ingredient is connected to our health, especially in terms of skin and hair. Experts have advised that people who have any metabolic syndrome might find it hard to digest gluten and therefore, it can trigger several bodily issues.

WHAT IS GLUTEN?

Gluten is a structural protein which is naturally found in various grains like wheat, barley, and rye. It acts as a binder that holds the food together. It has a “stretchy” quality to it. Several other foods contain gluten, such as wheat berries, spelt, durum, emmer, semolina, farina, farro, graham, khorasan wheat, einkorn, and triticale (a blend of wheat and rye).

Gluten is often associated with wheat and wheat-containing diets, especially cardiac health. However, studies have shown that people who aren't tolerant to gluten, i.e., who do not have celiac disease, do not have any association with gluten regarding their health.

IS GLUTEN GOOD FOR HEALTH?

Gluten may act as a prebiotic, feeding the good bacteria in our bodies. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, arabinoxylan oligosaccharide is a prebiotic carbohydrate derived from wheat bran that has been shown to stimulate the activity of bifidobacteria in the colon. These bacteria are normally found in a healthy human gut. Changes in their amount of activity have been associated with gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and irritable bowel syndrome.

CAN GLUTEN HARM THE BODY?

There has been a growing number of people who are becoming intolerant to gluten. Consumption of too much gluten can severely impact our hair and skin, as suggested by skin experts.

Dr Samridhi Sharma, Skin Expert and Aesthetic Physician based in Gurgaon, stated that this might happen because people are becoming resistant to insulin.

"When we talk about gluten, people who already have PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) or hyperthyroid or any metabolic syndrome might find it hard to digest gluten. That is why people are moving towards lactose and gluten-free products," said Dr Sharma.

"Gluten induces foods to lead to digestive issues," said Dr Sonia Tekchandani, Dermatologist, Founder of Tender Skin International, adding that it can make the skin look very dull.

Researchers haven't focused as much on skin conditions in people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, but anecdotal reports indicate some people without celiac (but who still seem to react to gluten-containing grains) nonetheless find relief from troublesome skin conditions once they go gluten-free. Dermatitis herpetiformis, psoriasis, eczema, alopecia areata, acne and urticaria are a few conditions that do get exaggerated, stated Dr Sharma.

HOW DOES GLUTEN AFFECT SKIN AND HAIR?

Dr Tekchandani added that since gluten sensitivity is an autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation, essential nutrients don't get the opportunity to get absorbed in the body. "This causes hair problems such as thinning and hair loss. It triggers intestinal damage which is the root cause of hindering hair growth," she said.

Besides this, she added that gluten-induced foods can worsen the production of collagen, which keeps the skin looking younger.

"Collagen is one of the most crucial ingredients needed for our skin to keep us looking younger. The more we age, we tend to lose collagen. Gluten-induced foods such as wheat further worsen the collagen level in our body and make our skin look dull and causes premature aging. Wrinkles, crow’s feet, and fine lines start to appear sooner than expected and it also takes away the radiance and glow of the skin," said Dr Tekchandani.

Gluten can worsen acne and breakouts. Since it can cause inflammation in the skin, it leads to more acne formation and even itchiness and redness of the skin. Dr Tekchandani said that if you have existing acne, "it can aggravate acne even more as it increases insulin levels."

GLUTEN-FREE FOODS

Here are other foods that you can have instead of wheat or wheat-containing products if you're sensitive to gluten.

• Corn
• Rice
• Potato
• Eggs
• Legumes
• Fish
• Fruits
• Vegetables

"Make sure to cut down on your gluten intake to prevent hair and skin issues. If you already suffer from any of these skin and hair conditions, it’s time to switch up your diet," advised Dr Tekchandani.