0.5 percent of Americans have celiac disease, avoid gluten out of necessity
DEFINE CELIAC DISEASE
"Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that can occur in genetically predisposed people where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. It is estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide. 2.5 million Americans are undiagnosed and are at risk for long-term health complications." --celiac.org
HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE CELIAC DISEASE
"A Mayo Clinic survey in 2012 concluded that only 1.8 million Americans have celiac disease." --NYT article (I plan on linking to this study.)
Trending fad diet makes celiac disease seem like less serious serious condition, yet creates wider variety of products
PROS AND CONS OF FAD DIET
Perhaps incorporate a bulleted list of foods that contain gluten? Or bulleted list of gluten-free companies? This will show the limitations of the diet prior to the fad. My video interview highlighting the cons will complement nicely.
Mintel predicts sales of gluten-free products will produce more than $15 billion in 2016, despite possible evidence of weight gain
THE FUTURE OF THE GLUTEN-FREE DIET
"In dollars and cents, sales of gluten-free products were expected to total $10.5 billion last year, according to Mintel, a market research company, which estimates the category will produce more than $15 billion in annual sales in 2016." --NYT article (I also plan on linking to this study.)
"But, gluten-free diets may not lead to weight loss. In fact, for celiac patients weight gain for those on the gluten-free diets is the goal because it suggests they're absorbing the necessary foods and nutrients they had been lacking." --CBS article
[I don't plan on using any of these quotes, just using them here to layout my story and organize my research.]
Two focused questions I asked my expert:
1. Only 1.8 million Americans have celiac disease, yet sales of gluten-free labeled products are booming. What is the value of marketing gluten-free products?
2. Why do you think the gluten-free diet has remained popular in America compared to other trend diets, like paleo?
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