Abstract/Summary

This research aimed to investigated the short- and long-term effects of gluten free diet (GFD) on nutritional intake, glycaemic and insulin response. In a cross-sectional study, participants who consumed a gluten-containing diet (GCD; n=11) and a GFD (n=11) completed a food diary, blood glucose and insulin measurements. In a pre-postn intervention study (n=, 11), glycaemic and insulin responsed were tested individuals completed a food diary, blood glucose and insulin measurements before and after four weeks of a GFD. Food intake was recorded before and after two weeks. No significant differences in nutrient intake, glycaemic or insulin responses were found in the cross-sectional study (p>0.05). In the intervention study, there was a significant reduction in body weight (p=0.007) and, body mass index (BMI) (p=0.004) after four weeks and and lower thiamine intake (p=0.021) after two weeks of GFD. Glycaemic response was significantly higher (p<0.05) following GFD intervention with no significant differences in insulin response. Following a GFD for 4 weeks may induce weight loss and, hyperglycaemia, and thiamine inadequacy and after 2 weeks, may result in a lower thiamine intake . These differences may be corrected were not evident if if a GFD is continued was followed for a longer period than this period, possibly due to improved food choices. in the short term. However, it is nutritionally comparable to GCD in the long-term.