AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Psychosomatic gluten sensitivity
David Robson's book 'The Expectation Effect' explores the impact of demonization of gluten on people's intolerance. In a lab experiment, participants, both with and without biological gluten intolerance, experienced symptoms of gluten intolerance after being told that they were consuming gluten, even though the meal was actually gluten-free. This phenomenon, known as the nocebo effect, highlights the influence of expectations on our physical reactions. The wellness industry's emphasis on 'clean eating' and avoiding certain foods has led to misinformation and confusion. It's important to educate with nuance and recognize that only a small percentage of the population has celiac disease, while others may experience non-celiac gluten sensitivity.