Nowadays, the trend of health-conscious eating is becoming increasingly popular, and one of the terms people are starting to hear more often is “gluten.” Gluten is a protein found in certain grains such as wheat, rye, and barley. Many people may wonder what it is and why health-conscious individuals are giving it more attention. In this article, we will help everyone understand what gluten is and why it’s becoming more important for health-conscious people.
What is gluten?
Gluten is a type of protein found in certain grains such as wheat, rye, barley, and triticale (a hybrid of wheat and rye). Gluten plays an important role in making bread and baked goods soft and stretchy. When mixed with water, it helps the ingredients stick together and become chewy, making it ideal for making bread, cakes, and foods that require a fluffy and soft texture.
While gluten has benefits in cooking, it can cause problems for certain groups of people, especially those with health conditions such as celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Gluten intolerance is caused by an allergy to a specific protein found in some grains. There are three main types of gluten intolerance:
- Celiac Disease: People with this condition have an autoimmune disorder. When they consume gluten, their body attacks the lining of the small intestine, leading to inflammation and nutrient absorption issues. This can result in symptoms such as diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue.
- Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity: Some individuals do not have celiac disease but still experience discomfort after consuming gluten, such as bloating, stomach pain, or headaches.
- Wheat Allergy: This is a condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly identifies proteins in wheat as foreign substances, triggering an allergic reaction. This can affect health in various ways.
Why are health-conscious people paying more attention to gluten?
Currently, the health-conscious trend is booming, leading brands to focus more on producing higher-quality ingredients. However, many people who don’t have gluten allergies are choosing to consume gluten-free foods because they view it as a way to reduce the intake of processed foods made from refined flour, such as bread and baked goods. This may help lower the amount of sugar and calories entering the body. Additionally, eating gluten-free foods has become popular among health enthusiasts, as some people feel it helps reduce bloating or makes them feel more energetic. However, many individuals who choose to avoid gluten don’t have any health issues but are simply interested in trying new, healthier food options.
Squid Brand Fish Sauce: A Gluten-Free Fish Sauce Option for Health-Conscious People
Squid Brand fish sauce is one of Thailand’s popular and widely recognized fish sauce brands, both domestically and internationally. Known for its smooth taste and high-quality production standards, it is also certified as gluten-free. This makes it suitable for those who are sensitive to gluten or anyone seeking to manage their health through diet. In addition to being gluten-free, Squid Brand fish sauce contains no preservatives, no MSG, no artificial coloring, and no added flavors, while still maintaining its delicious, savory taste.
Recommended Squid Brand Fish Sauce Recipes:
- Squid Brand Premium Fish Sauce with Gold Label: This premium-grade fish sauce offers a rich, well-rounded flavor, making it ideal for meticulous Thai dishes such as Tom Yum soup, seafood dipping sauce, and spicy salads.
- Squid Brand Original Fish Sauce with Green Label: A strong-flavored fish sauce perfect for dishes like papaya salad, spicy salads, pickles, and chili pastes, adding a bold, zesty flavor to all your meals.
- Fish Sauce for Children (2 years and older) and Fish Sauce for Adults (55 years and older): These two versions have lower sodium content, making them suitable for those who need to control sodium intake while still maintaining the same delicious taste.
- Vegetarian Fish Sauce: Made without any animal products, this version is perfect for those following a vegetarian, vegan, or Jain diet. It is produced with organic shiitake mushrooms and kombu seaweed from Korea, preserving the signature flavor of Squid Brand fish sauce.
Precautions Regarding Gluten-Free Foods
While gluten-free foods are beneficial for those who are gluten intolerant or sensitive to gluten, for the general population, avoiding gluten may lead to a deficiency in essential nutrients such as fiber, B vitamins, and other minerals found in whole grains. Therefore, when choosing what to eat, it is important to adjust your diet to suit your individual needs, consume foods in appropriate amounts, and select health-conscious ingredients. This approach can also contribute to maintaining good health.