Gluten-Free Diets in

Nonceliac Athletes
Sam Kosmacki
Class Questions

 Has anyone ever followed a gluten-free diet?

 Ifso, did you feel like it was helpful / would you
ever go on it again?
Introduction

 This is an up-and-coming health trend

 Why do nonceliac athletes follow this diet?
 Researchers are starting to explore these ideas today
Journal #1 Go Gluten-Free Diets for
Athletes and Active People
 Products have increased by 110%
 Why athletes start this diet
 Health benefits
 Improve performance
 Gluten is found in many products
 Gluten-free foods are more energy dense rather than
nutrient dense
Journal #2 Exploring the Popularity, Experiences, and
Beliefs Surrounding Gluten- Free Diets in Nonceliac
Athletes
 Athletes, both men and women, with varying skill levels
were used
 Online survey
 Popularity
 Demographics
 How closely diet is followed
 Symptoms associated with eating gluten
 Beliefs in how it affects performance
 What sources individuals are relying on
Journal #2 Continued

 About 5-10% of the population benefits from gluten-free

diet
 Not a surprising outcome
 Various nonreliable sources available
 Not a necessary diet
 More research needed
Journal #3 No Effects of a Short-Term Gluten-
Free Diet on Performance in Nonceliac Athletes

 Purpose of this research:

 Effects of gluten-free diet on exercise performance
 Gastrointestinal symptoms
 Perceived well-being
 Intestinal injury
 Inflammatory responses in nonceliac athletes
 Hypothesis:
 7-day diet would not have an impact on performance in nonceliac
athletes
Journal #3 Continued

 Questionnaire-based study on 13 competitive cyclists of

multiple sexes and ages
 Had to answer questions and were provided with food
 Blood results- no significant differences
 Reason for athletes going on this diet
 Believe it is healthier
 Self-diagnose themselves with some form of gluten condition
Journal #3 Continued

 Short-term study- no positive or negative effects

 Significant article
 Study on specific population
 Procedures provided clarifying data
Overall Findings

 Not enough data

 Best if athletes only partake in diet if recommended by doctors or
physicians
 Pros:
 May make you think you feel better/healthier
 May make you think you are performing better
 Cons:
 Removing nutrients from daily intake
 Food options are more limited
 Food tends to be more expensive
My Thoughts

 Should only participate if recommended by

doctor/physician
 Must find other ways to consume nutrients
 Would like to see more studies performed
 Affects myself as well as others around me
Questions

 What types of food can you find gluten in?

 What is one con of going on a gluten-free diet?
References

 Harris, M. M., & Meyer, N. (2013). Go Gluten-Free. ACSMs Health & Fitness
Journal, 17(1), 22–26. doi: 10.1249/fit.0b013e3182798371
 Lis, D., Stellingwerff, T., Kitic, C. M., Ahuja, K. D. K., & Fell, J. (2015). No
Effects of a Short-Term Gluten-free Diet on Performance in Nonceliac
Athletes. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 47(12), 2563–2570. doi:
10.1249/mss.0000000000000699
 Lis, D. M., Stellingwerff, T., Shing, C. M., Ahuja, K. D. K., & Fell, J. W.
(2015). Exploring the Popularity, Experiences, and Beliefs Surrounding Gluten-
Free Diets in Nonceliac Athletes. International Journal of Sport Nutrition &
Exercise Metabolism, 25(1), 37–45. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2013-
0247