Are gluten-free products a healthier alternative?

With the aim to improve knowledge on the content of nutrients and heavy metals in gluten-free products, this pilot study, was carried out between 2017 and 2020. Nutrients and heavy metals were analysed in 37 gluten-free products. For statistical comparisons, similar data was collected for gluten-containing branded products and generic products from Nordic food composition databases (n=163).In conclusion, the gluten-free products contained significantly less protein, copper, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and manganese, whereas the contents of starch, chromium, nickel and lead were significantly higher than the included gluten-containing products. Considering the nutritional composition, gluten-free products are not healthier compared to similar gluten-containing products. In addition, the content of some heavy metals is higher in the gluten-free products studied.