It’s important to know how to read scientific literature if you’re going to pronounce scientific fact.
Gluten is a perfect example. The vast majority of “gluten intolerants” are lifestyle choices and poor ones at that based mainly on the influences of the media and a lack of deep thought.
A few years ago, a scare tactic was going around about some kind of vegetable oil that is used in Gatorade and Pepsi and was sure to kill us all.
I did a little research online and in 5 minutes found out is was a big scam. I found the Safety Data Sheet for the product and since I work in the chemical business, I know how to read them. (most people don’t and shouldn’t. They are written by safety people for safety people and not really for public use. There are lots of terms that sound scary but aren’t)
Anyway, one part of a SDS is the lethality of the dangerous components. It’s referred to as LD50 and it’s the lethal dose, over a specific amount of time for 50% of the population of the test subject, often lab rats.
In this case, extremely small amounts of this vegetable oil are used in drinks to prevent separation of the ingredients (like ketchup does) The LD50 was something to the tune of five gallons of it a day, when a heavy Gatorade user may consume 3-4 drops of it a day.
It’s the same with all of these crazy “intolerances.” I have an uncle who is legitimately allergic to gluten, but he was actually diagnosed as Ceilac.
I lead a boys outdoor group with about 50 boys. Thankfully, we don’t have any significant food allergies, but I’ve told my leaders that if necessary, we will work with a kid who has a legitimate diagnosed condition. If it’s just a preference, he eats what he gets.
My son is our only serious challenge. He has Crohn’s Disease and has to be careful what he eats. He finds out the menu and brings his own food for when he needs it. No issues.
One thing that cracks me up about those tests that get us to LD50 is that it could be used to prove that water kills.