The Case of Modern Wheat by Alisa Scerrato

The gluten-free lifestyle has recently become a hot topic in the United States. "Gluten-free" products and advertisements seem to be everywhere. What is this thing called gluten, and why are so many people suddenly cutting it out of their diets when they have been consuming it for years without debate?
Gluten is a general name for protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and triticale. It acts as a glue to help certain foods maintain their shape. Most people think that gluten exists only in bread, baked goods, and cereals, but it is also found in soups, sauces, salad dressings, and many other foods that are less commonly known to be associated with wheat.
Some scientists claim that gluten is a strange protein and inherently difficult for humans to digest. The reason for this is that there has been a change in the way wheat is produced in the United States over the past several years. Modern cultivation of wheat is done in order to boost the protein content. Research has shown that gluten being used in "modern wheat" makes breaking down certain foods hard on the stomach. Some Americans just happen to react more severely than others to gluten. The symptoms of gluten intolerance vary from person to person.
Eating gluten has recently been discovered to contribute to such medical issues as irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, acne, and depression, just to name a few. Another more serious reaction to the consumption of gluten is referred to as celiac disease. About 2 million people in the United States suffer from this disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food. This disease is serious as it can lead to a number of issues including neurological disorders, reduced bone density, and sometimes cancer. Eating in restaurants or in other people’s homes is challenging for people with celiac disease because knowing which foods contain gluten can be difficult. In general, people should educate themselves about the ingredients found in different foods, but people who are particularly sensitive to gluten have to be even more diligent. There are no pharmaceutical cures for gluten intolerance, so some people must manage their gluten intake by being aware and adhering to strict diets.
While celiac disease is the most extreme case, eating a low or no gluten diet can indeed provide health benefits for many people. In fact, many Americans have found that abstaining from gluten has helped improve their lives.

Select ALL the correct answers.
Which two statements from the passage best illustrate the central ideas?

Gluten is a general name for protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and triticale.

Eating gluten has recently been discovered to contribute to such medical issues

Eating in restaurants or in other people's homes is challenging for people with celiac disease

The gluten-free lifestyle has recently become a hot topic in the United States.

Some Americans just happen to react more severely than others to gluten.