Gluten-Free Diet Facts & Tips: 5 Celebrities Who Follow This

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Going gluten-free is an easy choice to make for some people. In fact, for those who are suffering from the celiac disease, going against it could be quite a disaster health-wise.

According to the National Institutes of Health, there are about 2 million people in the U.S. who can't tolerate gluten in their bodies. Caucasians, women and people with certain genetic diseases, including Down syndrome and Turner syndrome, are more likely to have celiac, Forbes noted.

There are also those who do not have celiac disease but have chosen to go gluten-free anyway. For those who are thinking of jumping into the bandwagon, there are some things to bear in mind.

For starters, a gluten-free diet has not been conclusively established as a healthier alternative. "For the general population, there's no evidence that a gluten-free diet has any beneficial effects," said Dr. Benjamin Lebwohl, an assistant professor of medicine and epidemiology at Columbia University's Celiac Disease Center.

It may not be the best option for weight loss, as well, said Dr. Alessio Fasano, director of the Center for Celiac Research and chief of the pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition division at Massachusetts General Hospital. Apart from the fact that no scientific studies backing up its weight loss claims, some gluten-free products even contain more carbohydrates than its counterpart.

Shelly Case, a registered dietician and a member of the medical advisory board for the Celiac Disease Foundation, advises going natural when choosing gluten-free foods, wrote CBC. She recommends naturally gluten-free and unprocessed food like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, legumes, milk, yogurt and cheese. Meanwhile, here are some of the celebrities that have gone gluten-free at some point in their lives.

Miley Cyrus

The American actress and singer believe that the benefits of going gluten-free go beyond weight loss and she even encouraged others to try it out for some time. She tweeted, "Everyone should try no gluten for a week! The change in your skin, (physical) and mental health is amazing! U won't go back!" according to E! Online. In another tweet, she posted, "It's not about weight it's about health. Gluten is crapppp anyway!"

Zooey Deschanel

The "New Girl" actress is not someone new to gluten-free diet, primarily, because of her sensitivities to eggs, dairy, and wheat, says ABC News. 

Lady Gaga

The multi-Grammy award winner was also reported to have been into the diet in the hope of losing some weight.

Jessica Alba

Alba has been open about her wheat intolerance and love for gluten-free baked goods, PopSugar noted. But, the "Fantastic Four" star, admittedly, falls off from the gluten free wagon from time to time because of Red Velvet Pancake.

Rachel Weisz

James Bond's wife is not spared from the intolerance to wheat, but the English film and theater actress credited her gluten-free for being more energetic and for better overall health.