Bread Belly: 7 Great Reasons to Cut Out Wheat

So what’s the deal with wheat? Are people becoming increasingly precious, or is there something real to this (relatively) recent-day aversion to wheat?

1 This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Wheat

The wheat we’re eating today simply isn’t the same as it used to be. It’s been genetically modified and processed to the point that it has a completely different effect on our digestive systems. Recent studies conducted tested the difference between modern-day and ‘ancient’ wheat, with convincing results. In a nutshell, the wheat we’re eating has only been around for about 50 years – it makes sense that our bodies are still learning how to process this relatively new creature.

2 Wheat Belly is Real, People!

According to Dr Oz, wheat is the number one reason Americans are gaining weight. Dr William Davis (author of the controversial Wheat Belly) points to a protein in wheat (gliadin) as one of the major culprits. This dodgy substance is not only addictive, but stimulates our appetites, causing incessant hunger and a craving for more wheat. No wonder it’s so easy to pack away carby foods, only to feel hungry again shortly after the binging.

3 Hey, Saggy-Face

Unfortunately, wheat is just not great for your skin. Studies have shown that it can cause signs of aging to increase, including wrinkles and lost elasticity. In those with a higher sensitivity to wheat, lesions, inflammation and rashes can occur.

‘Most people are unaware that the glycemic index of whole wheat bread is among the highest of all foods.’ Dr William Davis, M.D.

4 Danger, Danger! High Blood Sugar!

You might be surprised to learn that 2 slices of white bread can cause a higher spike in your blood sugar than a chocolate bar. This is due to a starch contained in wheat (Amylopectin-A) that breaks down rapidly during digestion, leading to a massive spike in your blood sugar levels. For obvious reasons, this is simply not great for anyone who battles with high blood sugar.

5 Pre-Diabetes Disaster

High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, causes our body to release large amounts of insulin. This is very dangerous and can lead to insulin resistance, which over time may develop into pre-diabetes.

6 Moobs

Repeated spikes in blood sugar cause the growth of visceral fat, which is what leads to that squishy little ‘tyre’ or ‘muffin-top’ that forms around the base of our bellies. This particular kind of fat produces an excess of that wonderful hormone estrogen. This increases the risk of breast cancer in woman and can cause ‘moobs’ (man boobs) to develop in men.

7 Don’t Go Breaking My Heart

The high blood sugar leads to the production of LDL cholesterol particles (i.e. the bad kind of cholesterol). The build-up of these particles in the bloodstream combined with inflammation (also caused by wheat) is the number one cause of heart problems in America, according to Dr Oz.