Gluten Free Athletes
I was very interested to read that the top Tennis Player Novak Djokovic has a gluten-free diet – and credits it with making significant improvements to his performance. Given that gluten intolerance can manifest as aches, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, it makes a lot of sense for athletes in particular to avoid gluten. Especially as it is not possible to have a gluten deficiency – why wouldn't you cut it out of your diet?
It turns out several of the Olympians from the London 2012 Olympics did so on a Gluten-Free diet. Initially I assumed this was due to a Coeliac diagnosis, but it appears to be becoming common knowledge that ditching the gluten can improve performance and stamina. I wonder if at the 2016 Rio Olympics we'll see even more Athletes going Gluten free – and perhaps taking it one step further and adopting a Paleo Diet?
US Swimmer Dana Vollmer went gluten (and egg) free due to an intolerance, but apparently found it made a significant difference to her performance. She went on to win Gold (twice!) at the Olympics – I wonder how much of her win can be attributed to her diet?
Pole Vaulter Jenn Suhr went gluten-free just last year after being diagnosed with Celiac disease – and also won a gold medal…
Canadian Swimmer Nare Brannen went gluten-free on the advice of his coach last year – and has had minimal injuries, he believes, as a result.
Why Gluten-Free Eating May Give Athletes the Edge
The growing list of professional athletes who attribute their performance gains to cutting gluten is no coincidence. While elite sports require intense physical training and mental resilience, diet is increasingly being recognised as the third pillar of peak performance. For many, removing gluten — a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye — has become a strategic decision, not just a medical one.
For athletes without diagnosed coeliac disease, the benefits of going gluten-free can still be significant. Gluten can cause inflammation, digestive discomfort, foggy thinking, joint pain, and fatigue in sensitive individuals. For someone pushing their body to the limit daily, even a slight reduction in inflammation and energy dips can translate into faster recovery times and better results.
Understanding Gluten Sensitivity in Sport
It’s important to note that gluten intolerance exists on a spectrum. While coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition requiring strict avoidance of gluten, many people fall into the category of non-coeliac gluten sensitivity (NCGS). This group doesn’t test positive for coeliac disease, yet experiences symptoms such as bloating, brain fog, headaches, skin irritation, or joint discomfort after consuming gluten.
For athletes, these symptoms are more than minor annoyances — they can be performance saboteurs. A foggy brain during a race or inflamed joints during training can derail weeks of preparation. It’s not surprising that more athletes are trialling gluten elimination to see if it gives them an edge.
Beyond Gluten-Free: Why Paleo Might Be the Next Step
While gluten-free eating is a big step forward for many, it’s often just the beginning. The Paleo Diet goes several steps further by removing not just gluten-containing grains, but also legumes, refined sugar, dairy, and processed oils. This dietary pattern focuses on meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds — all nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods that support recovery and energy production.
For athletes, this shift can mean improved digestion, better gut health, more consistent energy levels, and even enhanced mental clarity. Paleo is about more than just cutting out gluten — it’s about fuelling the body with food it recognises and can easily convert into fuel, repair, and strength.
What the Research Says
While clinical research is still catching up to anecdotal experience, some studies support the gluten-free approach for athletes. A study published in the *Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition* (2015) found that even in non-coeliac endurance athletes, going gluten-free for just seven days resulted in a reduction in gastrointestinal symptoms and perceived fatigue during performance.
Though larger-scale, long-term studies are still needed, the personal stories from elite athletes suggest the benefits are very real. And for any athlete serious about marginal gains, that’s enough to warrant a trial period of dietary change.
Signs Gluten Might Be Affecting Your Performance
If you're an active person wondering whether gluten is affecting your physical output, here are a few signs to consider:
- Frequent fatigue or low energy despite adequate sleep and nutrition
- Bloating or digestive upset that seems unrelated to food quantity or timing
- Brain fog or difficulty concentrating during or after training
- Recurring joint or muscle pain not linked to overtraining
- Unexplained inflammation or slower recovery times
If any of these sound familiar, you might benefit from experimenting with a gluten-free or Paleo approach for a few weeks to observe any changes.
Fuel Sources on a Gluten-Free Paleo Diet
One of the concerns athletes often have is whether removing gluten will affect their ability to get enough carbohydrates for fuel. While it's true that many traditional carbs like pasta and bread are off the table, there are plenty of gluten-free, Paleo-friendly options that provide sustained energy:
- Sweet potatoes and yams
- Pumpkin and butternut squash
- Bananas and dates for quick-release energy
- Berries and seasonal fruit for antioxidants
- Cauliflower rice and zucchini noodles as satisfying grain replacements
By pairing these with high-quality protein and healthy fats, athletes can achieve stable blood sugar levels and long-lasting energy — without the crashes that come with refined grains and sugary snacks.
Preparing for the Transition
Making the shift to a gluten-free or Paleo diet isn’t something to do in the middle of competition season. It takes planning, trial and error, and time for the body to adapt. Athletes considering the switch should aim to start during an off-season or training block where the stakes are lower, allowing for adjustment without performance pressure.
It’s also worth working with a qualified nutritionist who understands athletic performance and can help with meal planning to ensure macro and micronutrient needs are fully met.
Are We Moving Towards a Gluten-Free Athletic Future?
Given the growing list of high-profile athletes embracing gluten-free (and often Paleo-style) eating, it’s clear the tide is turning. What started as a necessity for those with diagnosed coeliac disease is now seen as a smart performance strategy. And as awareness spreads about the connection between food and physical function, it’s likely that even more athletes — from weekend warriors to Olympians — will experiment with dietary changes in the quest for marginal gains.
In elite sports, success is often won in the details. If removing gluten results in even a slight improvement in recovery, mental clarity, or injury prevention, that alone can be enough to make the difference between good and gold.
If you're an athlete, amateur or otherwise, I'd be very interested to hear what differences you noticed going gluten-free. Do you think there's going to be a big increase in gluten-free (or better still Paleo) athletes by the time of the 2016 Rio Olympics? I'd love to hear your comments, below!