In a country where roti, naan, paratha, biscuits, and bakery items dominate our plates—from the humble kitchen in a village to five-star buffets in metros—the idea of going gluten-free can feel alien, if not absurd. “Isn’t this a Western fad?” many wonder. “Is it just another diet myth, or is there real science behind gluten sensitivity—even for us Indians?”
The answer is yes, it’s real. But like many real things, it was ignored for decades.
In 1980, a small group of British women began experiencing strange digestive symptoms—chronic diarrhea, fatigue, and bloating. Doctors couldn’t find any evidence of celiac disease, and yet when these women avoided gluten, their symptoms vanished.
Instead of believing them, doctors labeled them “hysterical,” and many were referred to psychiatrists.
But this was no new pattern. Medicine has a long history of denying diseases that science hasn’t yet caught up with. Ulcers were once blamed on stress, until Helicobacter pylori was discovered. Multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s were considered psychological until modern diagnostics evolved. The same happened with gluten sensitivity.
For years, patients with unexplained digestive symptoms, brain fog, fatigue, and joint pain were told, “It’s all in your head.” But eventually, the head began to speak science.
A watershed moment came in 2011 when Dr. Jessica Biesiekierski and her team in Australia published a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
Patients claiming gluten sensitivity were randomly fed either gluten-containing muffins or placebo muffins. The result? Those eating gluten reported significant worsening of symptoms. Those on the placebo did not.
Gluten sensitivity, distinct from celiac disease, was real.
(Source: Biesiekierski JR, et al. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011)
More evidence poured in.
In 2012, a landmark Italian study by Dr. Antonio Carroccio and Dr. Umberto Volta tested over 900 patients across multiple centres. The findings showed a distinct group suffering from what was termed Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity (NCWS). Their symptoms were real and repeatable during blinded wheat challenges.
(Source: Volta U, et al. BMC Medicine, 2012)
Interestingly, some experts suggest that it might not be gluten alone, but other wheat components—such as amylase-trypsin inhibitors and FODMAPs (fermentable carbs)—that also cause symptoms.
India Joins the Conversation
While the West caught on late, India’s tryst with wheat is ancient. But so are its health problems.
For decades, conditions like “grahani” in Ayurveda (akin to IBS) were linked to digestive distress, bloating, irregular stools—often aggravated by wheat-based foods. Today, modern gastroenterology in India is catching up with this ancient wisdom.
Reports an increasing number of non-celiac patients showing dramatic relief from IBS-like symptoms after trying a gluten-free diet.
“A significant proportion of IBS patients in our OPD do better with gluten or wheat exclusion—even when celiac tests are negative.”
—Dr. Shubham Sinha, AIIMS Gastroenterology Unit (2023 Internal Review)
PGIMER, Chandigarh:
In a 2024 survey of over 1,200 patients with unexplained bloating, fatigue, and IBS symptoms, around 7–10% showed clinical improvement with gluten or wheat elimination—despite negative celiac serology.
(Source: PGIMER Dept. of Gastroenterology Annual Report, 2024)
Fortis, Delhi:
Senior gastroenterologists like Dr. Neeraj Bhalla confirm,
“We’re seeing a rising wave of patients with what was once called ‘nervous stomach’ or IBS. Many of them show clear clinical improvement on a gluten-free diet. There is no denying that Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity is a growing Indian reality.”
(Source: Indian Express Health Interview, March 2023)
Symptoms Go Beyond the Gut
Gluten sensitivity doesn’t just cause stomach issues. Many patients report:
• Brain fog
• Headaches or migraines
• Chronic fatigue
• Joint or muscle pain
• Skin rashes (especially eczema-like eruptions)
• Mood disturbances and anxiety
Studies from Italy, the US, and now even India confirm that gluten/wheat sensitivity can impact neurological and dermatological systems, too—even in the absence of gut inflammation or autoimmune markers.
Caution: Self-Diagnosis Is Risky
Before jumping on the gluten-free bandwagon, a few things must be understood:
1. Don’t self-diagnose. If you suspect gluten sensitivity, consult a gastroenterologist. Rule out celiac disease first through blood tests and biopsy if necessary.
2. A proper elimination and challenge test—under supervision—is the gold standard to detect non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity.
3. Going gluten-free without supervision can lead to nutritional deficiencies (especially of B vitamins, iron, and fibre) in Indian diets. Just replacing wheat with rice or packaged GF products isn’t healthy.
Ancient Wisdom, Modern Relevance
Ayurveda, centuries ago, classified some individuals as having “manda agni”—weak digestion that couldn’t tolerate heavy grains or gluten-rich foods like wheat. Their prescribed diet consisted of rice, millets (such as kodo, kutki, and ragi), and mung-based preparations.
Modern science is finally validating this wisdom. Many Indian households that switch to traditional millets, fermented foods, and seasonal vegetables report improved digestion and energy.
In the Indian context, gluten sensitivity is no longer an imported myth. It is a real, diagnosable, and manageable condition—but not a universal villain. Awareness, not alarm, is the way forward. Listen to your body, get the right tests, and remember: Not every roti is the enemy—but for some, it just might be.
The Verdict: Real, But Not for Everyone
So, is gluten sensitivity real?
Yes.
But is it as widespread as the gluten-free craze makes it seem?
No.
Roughly 6–10% of Indians may be affected by Non-Celiac Gluten or Wheat Sensitivity, according to current estimates. That number may grow as diagnostic tools and awareness improve.
References
1. Biesiekierski JR, et al. Gluten causes gastrointestinal symptoms in subjects without celiac disease: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011.
2. Volta U, et al. Non-celiac wheat sensitivity: a work-in-progress entity in the spectrum of wheat-related disorders. BMC Medicine. 2012.
3. AIIMS Gastroenterology Report, 2023
4. PGIMER Annual Clinical Survey on IBS and Gluten, 2024
5. Indian Express Health Interview, March 2023 – Dr. Neeraj Bhalla
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