Research

Mixed

Consumption of wheat gliadin and plant lectins (found in grains, legumes, and some vegetables) increases intestinal permeability ('leaky gut'), leading to endotoxemia, chronic inflammation, and potentially autoimmune diseases and insulin resistance.

Be aware that wheat and legumes contain antinutrients like gliadin and lectins, which may increase gut permeability and inflammation in some individuals. If you experience digestive issues, autoimmune conditions, or insulin resistance, consider reducing or eliminating these foods and observe any changes in symptoms. Prioritize whole, unprocessed foods.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
gliadin... increases gut permeability by means of zonulin production... leads to increased gut permeability... chronic consumption of wheat... may lead to low-grade chronic inflammation... lectins... disrupt intestinal barrier and immunological function... increasing gut permeability... contribute to endotoxemia... and hence low-grade inflammation through TLR4 activation by LPS.
Pedro Carrera‐Bastos et al. · Research Reports in Clinical Cardiology · 2011

Why this rating

Based on in vitro and animal studies, with some human observational data, but the paper notes human studies are 'poorly studied'.

Source

The western diet and lifestyle and diseases of civilization

Pedro Carrera‐Bastos et al. · Research Reports in Clinical Cardiology · 2011

DOI 10.2147/rrcc.s16919

narrative_reviewCited 338×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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