PP dictionary: what “gluten-free,” “organic” and three other popular terms mean

What does “organic” mean? Why should “gluten-free” products be credible? And why do we need probiotics?

We explain the meaning and significance of complex terms that appeared not so long ago, but have already managed to bore everyone.

MD, pediatrician, nutritionist, integrative medicine specialist.

As a rule, the real meaning of such markings on products depends on the specific manufacturer.

Gluten-free

In supermarkets on the shelves with healthy food, it is not uncommon to find products labeled “gluten-free”. They are in demand among those who follow health or are struggling with excess weight. Gluten-free products are those that do not contain the plant protein gluten. It is found in cereals: wheat, barley, rye. Such a restrictive diet is indicated for people with gluten intolerance.

Does it speak about the usefulness of the product?

Irina: Usually manufacturers put the mark Gluten Free on products that do not contain gluten-containing ingredients. But in reality, these items are not always tested for gluten, and may also be subject to gluten cross-contamination in manufacturing. So if you’re allergic, we recommend choosing your manufacturer carefully. And if you’re only interested in a healthy lifestyle, start by determining if plant protein is dangerous for you. This can be done with a type 3 food hypersensitivity test, an allergy test or a genetic test.

In other words, if you don’t have an intolerance to this protein, there is no need to replace your regular foods with gluten-free foods.

Does this speak for the benefits of the product?

Irina: Unfortunately, most products containing probiotics do not have enough beneficial bacteria to populate the intestines, and they are often of the same type. Therefore, you can eat such yogurts (if they are sugar-free), but not for therapeutic purposes. In fact, an excellent source of probiotics is fermented foods (tea mushroom, sauerkraut, kefir, kimchi).

Go yeast-free

Beetroot-free products are in no less demand than gluten-free products. But this is often just a marketing ploy. For example, only fermented bread can be considered truly yeast-free: say, bread created from green buckwheat, which yields lactic acid bacteria during fermentation.

Does this say anything about the product’s usefulness?

Irina: It is impossible to make bread without yeast. Many people call yeast-free bread on sourdough. But it is also prepared on the basis of a mixture, which is obtained through digestion by lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Even spontaneously fermented sourdough has yeast in it, which, coupled with sugar, displaces beneficial bacteria from the gut.

Does this speak to the benefits of the product?

The labels “organic”, organic and their derivatives can only be applied to products that are produced under conditions that are as close to natural as possible. However, the truthfulness of such markings lies on the conscience of the manufacturer. Therefore, when buying products, it is worth paying attention to their composition.

Hypoallergenic

It is believed that hypoallergenic products are suitable for allergy sufferers, since they contain a minimum of active substances that cause undesirable reactions. However, everything is not so simple here.

Does this indicate the product’s usefulness?

Irina: This marking on a particular product is a reflection of what the manufacturer puts into this concept. Everyone has different degrees of sensitivity to certain products that cause allergies. Therefore, do not blindly trust the inscription “hypoallergenic”. Carefully study the ingredients on the packaging to know if they contain ingredients that cause allergies.