The Geography of Coeliac Disease

We know that gluten-containing grains have spread gradually around the world and are now ingrained in peoples’ everyday diets. So it's no wonder that people suffer from coeliac disease all around the world. On average, it is said that 1 in 100 people suffer from the disease, but this figure fluctuates around the globe. As shown on the map below, an estimated 1% of the population of Europe and North America suffer from the condition. Cases of Coeliac Disease are also on the rise; compared to 40 years ago there are now five times as many cases per 1,000 people! However there is a huge difference in the figures of neighbouring regions; as shown, Mexico has a figure of 3% whereas Brazil’s percentage is only 0.4%. Scientists believe that, since the genetics of these populations are very similar, environmental factors such as childhood diet must cause these fluctuations. Years ago people assumed that the disease only affected the west, but this myth has been disproved and, as

By now, if any of the symptoms I've mentioned sound familiar, you're probably wondering if there are any treatments for coeliac disease. So far, the only solution is to go gluten-free, as researchers have yet to develop a cure. Image- Nick Youngson Coeliac Disease was first written about by a Greek man named Aretaeus of Cappadocia  around 250AD. He used the word ‘koiliakos’ meaning ‘suffering in the bowels’ to describe his patients. Centuries later, when the condition was named, the term coeliac was derived from this Greek. And, just in case you've ever been confused by the spelling, this is also believed to be why Europe uses ‘coeliac’ whereas the U.S. remove the ‘o’, spelling it ‘celiac’. Thorough research didn't begin until towards the end of the 19th century, as by this time gluten-containing grains and therefore the disease had spread around the globe. It was mostly conducted in the U.K. by scientists such as Gee or Haas. Various scientist proposed diets

Thousands of years ago humans were hunter-gatherers. Our ancestors lived off nuts, seeds, berries and meat. Over the years, crops were cultivated and we gradually moved away from these basic diets. As humans moved across the globe and our diets developed, so did our guts. However, it was also when this range of foods became part of our diets that food allergies, intolerances and diseases began to affect us.  Image- Christmasstockimages Wheat is the grain that is most commonly used in the production of modern foods. Scientists believe that the first wheat was cultivated in Mesopotamia and the Nile Valley as far back as 8800BCE. It is believed that wheat soon began to spread, reaching India, Greece and Cyprus by 6500BCE and Germany by 5000BCE. From the Bronze Age until the Middle Ages, Spelt (a species of wheat) became a part of peoples' diets across Central Europe. During the Age of Exploration, European explorers brought gluten-containing grains across to North a

For many of us, it has become common to go out to eat with friends or family and encounter food intolerances or awkward coeliacs who put everyone on edge by asking twenty questions about how the food is prepared! (Believe me, having to be this particular isn't something that Coeliacs' enjoy!) Coeliacs are unable to eat any foods containing a protein called gluten, which is found in wheat, rye and barley. For coeliacs, avoiding gluten isn't just a health fad. If coeliacs consume even traces of gluten they can experience a wide range of discomforting symptoms which may include nausea, cramps, bloating, anaemia, vomiting or an irritating skin rash. I find this TedEd video provides a concise explanation: So far I have focused on the negatives on the condition. However, Coeliacs are able to eat a wide variety of foods. Firstly, all fruits and vegetables are naturally gluten-free, as are dairy products, meat, fish, eggs etc. The difficulty lies mainly with carbohydr

Imagine yourself surrounded by cakes, biscuits, breads and pastries, but unable to eat any of them because of an auto-immune disease known as coeliac disease!  Image- Welleschik Unfortunately, I am one of the unlucky diagnosed 1% of the world's population suffering from this disease. At this point you have probably relaxed, reassured that you can go on eating all of the foods which I have mentioned. But don't  relax too soon! It is estimated that up to 80 or 90% of coeliacs remain undiagnosed, and you could find yourself within this number! Image- Getty Images  To learn more about this possible predicament, continue reading this blog, where I will be adding posts about Coeliac Disease, focusing on the Geography of Coeliac Disease!😊