Is Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity a Real Thing?
- David Deacon
- Dec 29, 2025
- 2 min read
Many people who believe they are gluten sensitive actually aren't!
A new Norwegian study published in Gastroenterology looked at 59 people who did not have celiac disease yet found digestive relief with a gluten-free diet.
Research shows 4 in 5 people who believe they are sensitive to gluten are actually not.
Key Takeaways:
“Sorry, Your Gluten Sensitivity Is Actually a Fructan Intolerance”
About 12% of individuals report digestive symptoms after consuming gluten, despite not having celiac disease or wheat allergy.
Research indicates only 16% of those feeling better on a gluten-free diet actually have non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS).
Most reactions are due to fructans, a type of FODMAP found in wheat.
What are fructans — and why do they cause symptoms?
Fructan are short-chain carbohydrates (FODMAPs) present in foods like wheat, garlic, onions, chickpeas, dates, raisins, and watermelon.
People with IBS or IBD are especially susceptible to fructan intolerance.
Symptoms include bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
The Norwegian study that shifted the perspective!
A clinical trial involved 59 non-celiac individuals who felt better on a gluten-free diet.
Participants consumed muesli bars containing gluten, fructans, or placebo.
Fructan increased symptoms by 15%, while gluten had no effect.
This suggests fructans, not gluten, are the primary trigger for most people.
Why do gluten-free diets often help?
Many gluten-free products are naturally low in FODMAPs, including fructans.
Eliminating wheat removes most fructans, leading to symptom relief.
Therefore, improvements are often due to reducing fructans, not gluten itself.
The drawbacks of unnecessary gluten avoidance
Some gluten-containing foods (e.g., sourdough bread, soy sauce, beer, malt vinegar) are low in fructans and don't need to be avoided.
Many individuals don’t fully recover on a gluten-free diet because they continue consuming high-fructan foods.
A low FODMAP diet is more effective for identifying and managing fructan intolerance.
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