Celiac disease and gluten intolerance in Belgium: sugar, inflammation and INTI ginger 2025

Celiac Disease and NCGS in Belgium

In Belgium, celiac disease affects approximately 1% of the population (100,000 people), with a large proportion undiagnosed. NCGS (Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity) is estimated to affect 5–6% of the population. Both conditions require a strict gluten-free diet — but patients often face a second problem: industrial gluten-free products are often very rich in added sugars (to compensate for texture), which exacerbate the remaining gut inflammation.

Molecular Mechanisms: Celiac Disease, NCGS, and Sugar

IL-15 and Intraepithelial Lymphocytes

In celiac disease, gliadin activates the production of IL-15 by enterocytes → activation and expansion of CD8+-type intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) → destruction of enterocytes → villous atrophy. Intestinal NF-κB (exacerbated by sugar) induces IL-15 → aggravation of IEL activation, even with a gluten-free diet if sugar intake is high.

Zonulin and Gut Permeability

Gliadin and AGEs (sugar → glycation) stimulate zonulin → opening of tight junctions → gut permeability ↑ → passage of antigens → systemic immune activation. Dietary sugar exacerbates this mechanism independently of gluten — which explains why some celiac patients still have symptoms despite a strict gluten-free diet.

Dysbiosis and Butyrate

Celiac disease and NCGS disrupt the gut microbiome — particularly reducing Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and bifidobacteria that produce butyrate. Butyrate is essential for Treg cells (immunological tolerance) and epithelial integrity. Dietary sugar worsens this dysbiosis → butyrate ↓ → Treg ↓ → oral tolerance ↓.

INTI for Celiac Patients

INTI is naturally gluten-free (ginger shot without sugar, lemon, honey — no gluten-based ingredients):

• <1.19g sugar/100ml → no exacerbation of intestinal NF-κB or zonulin
• 6-gingerol → prokinetic (5-HT₄) → improved intestinal transit → less ginger bloating
• 6-gingerol → NF-κB ↓ → IL-15 ↓ → IEL activation ↓