Hidden constipation and crop chemicals often mimic gluten intolerance

The brief

Many people who suffer from chronic bloating and gas blame gluten, but gastroenterologist Dr. Will Bulsiewicz reveals that the true culprit behind these uncomfortable gut symptoms is often underlying, unrecognized constipation.

A bowel movement is not just waste. Microbial mass makes up sixty percent of stool weight, and when poop gets gridlocked in the intestines, these microbes ferment the trapped material, producing excess gas that causes painful bloating.

Wheat sensitivity in the United States is frequently tied to agricultural processing rather than the grain itself. Spraying wheat crops with the herbicide glyphosate disrupts gut motility, a problem rarely encountered with European wheat.

For those struggling with wheat, the real trigger is often fructans, not gluten. Fructans are long-chain carbohydrates found in wheat, garlic, and onions, but the natural fermentation of sourdough bread helps break them down for easier digestion.

Industrialization, ultra-processed diets, and the overuse of antibiotics have damaged the human microbiome. Rebuilding gut health takes time, but understanding the difference between motility issues and food intolerances is the first step.