Prompt #7: Contemplating Controversy

I have found an article that talks about one of the most popular medical controversies in 2014: does a gluten-free diet really benefit people? This article argues whether or not going on a gluten-free diet actually helps people.

Photo credit: geneticliteracyproject.org

One side says that a gluten-free diet benefits anyone who does it. Getting rid of all of that sugar from ones diet can always be beneficial. Some people feel better when they eliminate gluten from their diet and it give them more motivation to be healthier and exercise.  

The other side argues how becoming gluten-free only benefits 1% of our population. This is because being gluten-free does not matter unless you are that 1% that is diagnosed with celiac disease. People with celiac disease have small intestines that cannot digest gluten correctly and it affects their digestive system. They say that going gluten free does not provide any health benefits unless you have celiac disease or you are just allergic to gluten. Cutting a whole nutrient out of your diet is not helpful when you are trying to lose weight. They also say that gluten is not harmful and it doesn’t affect your weight at all. Weight loss starts with a healthy diet, not just cutting out gluten.

These arguments are both very convincing, but only one is actually true. The articles I found on this topic both did a good job of arguing from different points.

"Medical Controversies Sparking Debate in 2014." CBSNews. CBS Interactive, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.

"Myth Buster - Does a Gluten-Free Diet Aid In Weight-Loss? - JillianMichaels.com." JillianMichaels.com. Jillian Michaels, n.d. Web. 17 Mar. 2016.