No Effects of a Short-Term Gluten-free Diet on Performance in Nonceliac Athletes.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the effects of a gluten-free diet on exercise performance, gastrointestinal symptoms, well-being, intestinal injury, and inflammatory responses in nonceliac endurance athletes.
Results Summary
The study found no significant differences in time trial performance, GI symptoms, well-being, intestinal injury markers, or inflammatory responses between the gluten-containing and gluten-free diets.
Population
Competitive endurance cyclists (8 males, 5 females) without celiac disease or irritable bowel syndrome.
Effective Dosage
16 g wheat gluten per day (for GCD) alongside gluten-free food bars.
Duration
7 days per diet, with a 10-day washout period.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | performance | nonceliac endurance athletes | no significant difference | had no overall effect | #1 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | GI symptoms | nonceliac endurance athletes | similar for each diet | had no overall effect | #2 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | well-being | nonceliac endurance athletes | similar for each diet | had no overall effect | #3 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | intestinal injury | nonceliac endurance athletes | no significant differences | had no overall effect | #4 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | inflammatory markers | nonceliac endurance athletes | no significant differences | had no overall effect | #5 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | TT performance | competitive endurance cyclists | 245.0 ± 54.6 kJ vs 245.4 ± 53.4 kJ | was not significantly different | #6 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | GI symptoms during exercise | competitive endurance cyclists | - | were similar | #7 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | daily GI symptoms | competitive endurance cyclists | - | were similar | #8 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | DALDA responses | competitive endurance cyclists | - | were similar | #9 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | IFABP responses | competitive endurance cyclists | - | no significant differences | #10 |
gluten-free diet (GFD) | no change | cytokine responses | competitive endurance cyclists | - | no significant differences | #11 |
PURPOSE: Implementation of gluten-free diets among nonceliac athletes has rapidly increased in recent years because of perceived ergogenic and health benefits. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a gluten-free diet (GFD) on exercise performance, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, perceived well-being, intestinal injury, and inflammatory responses in nonceliac athletes. METHODS: Thirteen competitive endurance cyclists (8 males, 5 females) with no positive clinical screening for celiac disease or history of irritable bowel syndrome (mean ± SD; age, 32 ± 7 yr; weight, 71.1 ± 13.4 kg; height, 177.0 ± 11.8 cm, VO2max 59.1 ± 8.0 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) were allocated to a 7-d gluten-containing diet (GCD) or GFD separated by a 10-d washout in a controlled, randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Cyclists ate a GFD alongside either gluten-containing or gluten-free food bars (16 g wheat gluten per day) while habitual training and nutrition behaviors were controlled. During each diet, cyclists completed the Daily Analysis of Life Demand for Athletes (DALDA) and GI questionnaires (postexercise and daily). On day 7, cyclists completed a submaximal steady-state (SS) 45-min ride at 70% Wmax followed by a 15-min time trial (TT). Blood samples were taken preexercise, post-SS, and post-TT to determine intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP) and inflammatory markers (cytokine responses: interleukin [IL] 1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, tumor necrosis factor α). Mixed effects logistic regression was used to analyze data. RESULTS: TT performance was not significantly different (P = 0.37) between the GCD (245.4 ± 53.4 kJ) and GFD (245.0 ± 54.6 kJ). GI symptoms during exercise, daily, and DALDA responses were similar for each diet (P > 0.11). There were no significant differences in IFABP (P = 0.69) or cytokine (P > 0.13) responses. CONCLUSIONS: A short-term GFD had no overall effect on performance, GI symptoms, well-being, and a select indicator of intestinal injury or inflammatory markers in nonceliac endurance athletes.