Are you of the opinion, as most people usually think, that gluten only affects digestion? Perhaps I am right. So, it’s time to burst this myth. Research suggests that gluten may influence skin, hormones, and even mood. Moreover, these complaints are often overlooked, especially in the Indian context.

Commonly, symptoms like headaches, joint pain, fatigue, and skin rashes are often overlooked or attributed to other causes. This makes it important for anyone dealing with chronic, unexplained skin, hormonal, or mood problems to consider the possibility of gluten intolerance.

Here’s where it really matters: In India, many people may be gluten-sensitive without being officially diagnosed with intolerance or in extreme cases, celiac disease. This is why it matters the most for Indians to understand the connection between gluten and various health issues beyond digestive complaints.

A trial gluten-free diet may help clarify gluten sensitivity when other causes have been ruled out, especially in populations prone to wheat-based diets. Curious? Let’s dig deeper into underdiagnosed gluten-prone health issues.

Gluten and skin health

Gluten intolerance affects many parts of your body in different ways. All of this can add to confusion when trying to obtain a diagnosis. Another highly underrated type of reaction to gluten affects the skin. Moreover, gluten and skin health are highly interrelated on a deeper level.

Gluten can be a hidden culprit behind acne, eczema, psoriasis, and a skin condition called dermatitis herpetiformis or DH. It affects about 10 percent of people with celiac disease.

According to an article in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, DH is primarily found in adults and is more common in men and people of northern European descent. DH is rarely found in African Americans and Asian Americans.

According to PubMed Central (PMC), approximately 60% of patients diagnosed with CD (Celiac Disease) and concurrent thyroid disorders exhibit at least one of these dermatological manifestations, encompassing vitiligo, psoriasis, alopecia, stomatitis, atopic dermatitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), among others.

Why does this happen? Gluten can trigger inflammation, make your gut “leaky,” and cause immune confusion. As a result, your skin is often the first to show it via itching, redness, or stubborn breakouts that just don’t quit.

Why not give an elimination diet a shot by saying goodbye to wheat, barley, and rye for a few weeks and keep an eye on your skin? Try switching to gluten-free flours like rice, millet, or sorghum. As per the Frontier article, almost 42% of people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and atopic dermatitis feel relief with a gluten-free diet.

Gluten and hormonal balance

Can gluten affect your hormones? This is a sceptical question that can raise many eyebrows. To answer this query, yes, it can.

Gluten has been associated with hormonal problems, affecting thyroid health and women’s reproductive hormones. For those with thyroid disorders like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or hypothyroidism, gluten may play a role in worsening symptoms.

According to MedicineNet, about 26% of people with celiac disease also have autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto’s. It’s common for these autoimmune diseases to coexist.

Gluten can affect many hormones throughout your body as well as trigger a cascade of hormone-related problems. 

Below are a few impacts on hormones caused by gluten:

·       Estrogen

·       Progesterone

·       Testosterone

·       Prolactin

·       Thyroid hormone

·       Cortisol

·       Insulin

As a woman, you will be astonished to know that gluten impacts women’s hormones in many other ways. It has been associated with insulin resistance, a key factor in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and irregular menstrual cycles. Since PCOS and thyroid disorders both involve effects on hormones, some women report feeling better after switching to a gluten-free diet, which may reduce inflammation and improve metabolic function.

In short, women with PCOS or thyroid issues like Hashimoto’s might find relief by trying a gluten-free diet, especially if other symptoms like fatigue, irregular periods, or weight gain persist despite treatment. While gluten avoidance isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, it’s worth considering as part of a broader approach to hormonal health and inflammation management. Don’t worry…..this doesn’t necessarily mean you have gluten intolerance. Your symptoms might be caused by something else.

 

Gluten and mental health

Gluten and its effect on your mental health might be a real shock to you. There is a concept known as the gut-brain axis. It’s a complex communication network where your gut signals your brain and vice versa, using nerves, hormones, and immune messages.

According to PMC, about 90% of your body’s serotonin (the “feel-good” chemical) actually lives in your gut, highlighting how closely connected these two are.

When a gluten-sensitive individual consumes gluten, it causes inflammation and disrupts gut bacteria, which further confuses the brain. This miscommunication can lead to brain fog, anxiety, or even depression, even if the stomach feels otherwise fine.

As per Gluten Intolerance Group, in study on neurological effects of celiac disease, researchers observed that 42% of patients experienced frequent headaches, 24% reported gait instability, and 12% had persistent sensory symptoms. Connections have also been reported between gluten and anxiety disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depressive and mood disorders, and schizophrenia. Isn’t it surprising?

Who should consider testing or eliminating gluten?

Are you suffering from prolonged signs that go beyond stomach pain, like chronic skin issues, mood swings, and hormone imbalance? Then, you might want to consider testing for gluten intolerance or trying an elimination diet.

Many adults with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity show “silent” signs like low iron or bone pain, or develop conditions like mouth ulcers, headaches, and nerve problems on a regular basis.

As per The Autoimmunity Nutritionist, studies show up to 60% of celiac cases have only these non-digestive symptoms. Brain fog, poor memory, and even unexplained anxiety can all be early hints, making gluten’s impact widespread and sometimes tough to spot.

Here’s a clear comparison of celiac disease, wheat allergy, and non-celiac gluten sensitivity:

Condition	What Happens in the Body	Unique Symptoms/Features	Diagnosis
Celiac Disease	Autoimmune damage to the gut lining; poor nutrient absorption	Rashes, anaemia, nerve issues, digestive issues	Antibody tests, biopsy, symptoms
Wheat Allergy	Immune (IgE) reaction to wheat proteins	Itching, hives, rapid allergic reactions, anaphylaxis	Allergy tests (skin or blood), food challenge
Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity	No clear immune markers; no gut damage	Headaches, muscle aches, fatigue, heart palpitations	Diagnosis of exclusion, symptom improvement after gluten-free trial

 

Millions go undiagnosed, especially in Indian society, because their main clues are skin, nerves, or hormones, and not stomach trouble. It is advisable for people who have doubts to talk to their doctor first and get tested before adopting a completely gluten-free diet. However, under medical supervision, a few tests can reveal the truth for anyone with persistent, unexplained symptoms. Testing involves being on a gluten-rich diet to arrive at accurate results; otherwise, it can give false positive results.

Medical advice and a structured gluten elimination trial can uncover the missing piece and help improve overall well-being. However, it is not to be confused with going gluten-free by choice. People are free to choose to eat food without gluten for their general well-being.

Everyday gluten-free swaps

India’s culinary traditions make every day gluten-free swaps easy and delicious. Gluten-free options like jowar (sorghum), bajra (pearl millet), rajgira (amaranth), ragi (finger millet), rice flour, or varai (barnyard millet) are deeply rooted in Indian cooking and provide a wholesome alternative with regional flavours.

Traditional Indian snacks are often naturally gluten-free, too:

·       Dosa and idli use rice and lentils.

·       Ragi puffs, jowar puffs, roasted makhana, and papadum. Herbs and spices commonly used in Indian foods, such as ajwain, cumin, coriander, hing (made from gluten-free sources), turmeric, dried mint, and curry leaf, are all safe and amp up authentic flavour due to their gluten-free quality.

Yet another unique advantage in India is the practice of fasting during festivals, which promotes the use of gluten-free recipes. Fasting foods are not only nutritious but also completely gluten-free and widely enjoyed across the country.

Conclusion

You can conclude that gluten isn’t just a gut issue; it can silently influence skin’s appearance, how hormones behave, and even shape daily moods, often without classic digestive signs. If persistent rashes, hormonal swings, or brain fog sound familiar, consider exploring gluten-free alternatives to see if symptoms improve.

The power to feel better starts with a simple switch. Empower yourself by giving gluten-free choices a fair try.

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PAA (People Also Ask):
Q. Can gluten cause skin problems?

Yes. Gluten can trigger skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, hives, and a rash known as dermatitis herpetiformis.

 

Q. Does gluten cause acne?

Gluten may worsen acne by causing inflammation and affecting the immune response in gluten-intolerant individuals. Those with gluten intolerance often see clearer skin after cutting out gluten.

 

Q. Does gluten affect hormones?

Yes, gluten can affect hormones by causing inflammation and disrupting the balance of hormones. It influences thyroid hormones, insulin, and sex hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone.

Q. Is gluten linked to PCOS?

There is no direct proof that gluten causes PCOS. However, gluten can contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance, which are common in PCOS.

 

Q. Can gluten cause depression or anxiety?

Yes, gluten can cause depression and anxiety in sensitive individuals. A gluten-free diet helps reduce symptoms like low mood and anxiety, especially in those with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.

Q. Does gluten affect brain function?

Gluten affects brain function, leading to problems like fatigue, memory issues, and brain fog, all of which can improve with gluten elimination in sensitive people.

 

References:

- Vats, V., Makineni, P., Hemaida, S., Haider, A., Subramani, S., Kaur, N., Butt, A. N., Scott-Emuakpor, R., Zahir, M., Mathew, M., & Iqbal, J. (2023). Gluten intolerance and its association with skin disorders: A narrative review. Cureus, 15(9), e44549.

- Midas Wellness Hub. (n.d.). Are dairy and gluten ruining your skin? What science says. Midas Wellness Hub Blog.

- Gluten Intolerance Group. (2021, September 21). Gluten and your muscles, joints, and skin. Gluten Intolerance Group.

- Remedies Labs. (n.d.). Gluten intolerance: Significant effects and symptoms to be considered. Remedies Labs Blog.

- Gluten Intolerance Group. (2021, September 8). Gluten and your mental health. Gluten Intolerance Group.

- Gluten-Free Society. (n.d.). Can gluten affect your hormones? Gluten-Free Society Blog.

- Millet Maagic Meal. (n.d.). Best gluten-free Indian snacks. Millet Maagic Meal Blog.

- MedicineNet. (n.d.). Should Hashimoto’s thyroid patients avoid gluten? MedicineNet.