Effect of Gluten-Free Bakery Products on Serum Levels of Mineral Elements in Healthy Consumers

Abstract Healthy nutrition requires the intake of all macronutrients and micronutrients in optimal ratio and quantity. Nowadays, many people tend to gluten-free food without health and medical reasons. Many gluten-free products are nutritionally poorer than gluten-containing analogues. Although in many cases gluten-free products are nutritionally rich (either naturally or as a result of fortification), the bioavailability of nutrients is limited. The study focused on the influence of a six-week consumption of gluten-free bread and bakery products on mineral status in thirty healthy people without coeliac disease and the impacts eight weeks after the end of the consumption. Since the recommended daily intake for phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and iron was satisfied at only 84–88% for our volunteers, we consider the increase in the average serum levels of the monitored parameters to be positive (except for calcium). The six-week consumption of gluten-free bakery products had a positive effect on the mineral status of the monitored group of healthy consumers. We found a significant increase in phosphorus (P < 0.001) and magnesium (P < 0.01) levels, a certain increase in iron (P > 0.05), whereas the level of calcium insignificantly lowered (P > 0.05).