Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes damage to the small intestine when gluten is ingested. Gluten is a protein found in grains like wheat, barley and rye. When someone with celiac disease eats gluten, their immune system attacks the small intestine, damaging the villi – small fingerlike protrusions that line the intestine and help absorb nutrients. This damage leads to an inability to absorb nutrients properly, and can cause symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, weight loss, fatigue and malnutrition. The only treatment for celiac disease is following a strict lifelong gluten-free diet, avoiding all foods and products containing gluten.
Celiac disease impacts about 1% of the population, but many cases go undiagnosed. People with celiac disease are more likely to develop other autoimmune disorders, osteoporosis, infertility and certain types of cancer if the disease is left untreated. Thankfully, once diagnosed, the symptoms of celiac disease can be managed well by removing gluten from the diet. Some celebrities have publicly shared their celiac disease diagnoses, like Emmy award-winning actress Jennifer Esposito and Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Fiona Apple.
One celebrity that celiac disease speculation has long surrounded is Justin Bieber. Bieber is one of the most famous pop stars in the world, known for hit songs like “Baby,” “Sorry” and “Yummy.” Lately there has been increased interest in whether Bieber himself needs to follow a gluten-free diet due to celiac disease. Here we will examine the evidence surrounding the question: Is Justin Bieber a celiac?
Justin Bieber’s Health History
To understand whether Bieber may have celiac disease, we need to first look at what we know about his health history. Bieber has been open over the years about various health issues he has faced. In early 2020, Bieber revealed he had been recently diagnosed with Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria transmitted through tick bites, and can cause fever, headache, fatigue and skin rash. Bieber reported struggling with symptoms like brain fog, anxiety and exhaustion before receiving his Lyme diagnosis and undergoing treatment.
Interestingly, some of the nonspecific symptoms Bieber had prior to his Lyme disease diagnosis like fatigue, mood issues and “just feeling unwell” overlap with common symptoms of untreated celiac disease. However, Lyme disease could certainly explain Bieber’s symptoms at the time without needing to invoke celiac disease as a cause.
Bieber has also been public about his past struggles with depression and anxiety. He revealed in early 2020 that he also had been diagnosed with mononucleosis, commonly known as mono. Mono often triggers weeks of fatigue, fever and sore throat, which conceivably could disrupt mental health as well. Again, while fatigue and mood changes may signal celiac disease, in Bieber’s case there were other confirmed diagnoses to explain his symptoms.
In March 2022, Bieber suddenly faced partial facial paralysis from Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Ramsay Hunt syndrome occurs when the varicella-zoster virus infects a facial nerve, leading to facial palsy. It can cause severe ear pain and a blistering facial rash. Bieber reported that half his face was paralyzed from the syndrome, and he had to pause his Justice World Tour briefly while recovering.
Bieber has not spoken publicly about any diagnosis of celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Based on his health disclosures, it appears various issues like Lyme disease, mononucleosis and Ramsay Hunt syndrome could explain Bieber’s fatigue, anxiety and other symptoms over the years – without needing to evoke an underlying diagnosis like celiac disease. However, the lack of public confirmation does not completely rule out the possibility.
Clues in Bieber’s Diet
In the absence of a clear public statement from Bieber about having celiac disease, some clues may emerge from examining what he eats and drinks on a regular basis.
At times Bieber has shown an interest in leading a healthier lifestyle and improving his diet. In a February 2022 Instagram post, Bieber shared he had cut out refined sugars, junk food, and gluten from his diet. Eliminating gluten could simply be an attempt at a healthier, anti-inflammatory diet without necessarily indicating celiac disease.
Bieber is also a self-described “Timbits lover” – Timbits being the donut holes sold by Canadian fast food chain Tim Hortons. Most standard donuts and donut holes contain gluten. However, Tim Hortons does offer some gluten-free baked goods options. In November 2021, Bieber collaborated with Tim Hortons to launch three new Timbit flavors – chocolate white fudge, sour cream chocolate chip, and birthday cake waffle – so the partnership seems important to him.
In terms of other food and drink favorites, Bieber reportedly enjoys eating sushi, pancakes, and In-N-Out burgers. These foods often use gluten-containing ingredients. However, gluten-free substitutions could theoretically be requested. He also appears to regularly drink tea – which is a naturally gluten-free beverage.
Looking at his diet alone, there are no strong indicators requiring him to eat 100% gluten-free. While he may occasionally choose gluten-free options, Bieber doesn’t seem to be strictly adhering to a gluten-free diet at all times. If he did require a gluten-free diet for medical reasons, it would be hard to succeed in avoiding gluten exposure based on his food and drink preferences.
His Wife Hailey Bieber’s Gluten Sensitivity
Another element to consider is that Bieber’s wife, model Hailey Bieber, has a confirmed gluten sensitivity. In a 2019 interview for Vogue, Hailey shared that she cut out gluten from her diet on the advice of doctors after suffering from symptoms like stomach aches, reflux, and fatigue.
After eliminating gluten, Hailey reported feeling “so much better every single day.” Her results mirror the improved health and reduced symptoms seen by many patients adopting a gluten-free diet due to celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
It’s possible Hailey could have celiac disease rather than non-celiac gluten sensitivity. There is some evidence celiac disease may cluster in families and relatives of someone with celiac have a higher risk of also developing the condition. Since food preferences often converge in serious relationships, Hailey’s need to eat gluten-free could influence the kinds of foods Bieber chooses to enjoy regularly as well.
However, there have not been reports of Justin Bieber himself following a strict gluten-free diet or being diagnosed with celiac disease. So while Hailey’s gluten sensitivity is relevant, it doesn’t clearly indicate her husband Bieber requires a gluten-free diet medically too.
No Clear Evidence of Celiac Disease Yet
In summary, while Internet speculation has periodically arisen that Justin Bieber may have celiac disease, at this point no clear evidence proves this theory. Bieber has not self-identified as having celiac disease or a gluten intolerance. His wife Hailey does follow a gluten-free diet, but spouses would not necessarily share celiac disease diagnoses.
Some symptoms Bieber experienced prior to his Lyme disease diagnosis like fatigue and mood issues can occur with celiac disease. However, Lyme and other confirmed health conditions he had like mononucleosis and Ramsay Hunt syndrome seem adequate to explain his symptoms rather than invoking celiac disease as a speculative cause.
Bieber’s diet also does not appear to be fully gluten-free, though he may occasionally choose gluten-free meal options. Without a public statement from Bieber about eliminating gluten for medical reasons, there is no compelling reason to conclude he requires a gluten-free diet at this time.
Celiac disease symptoms can take years to manifest noticeably and prompt evaluation, so a future diagnosis for Bieber can’t be ruled out. But as of now, there is no clear evidence based on his health history and diet that Justin Bieber has celiac disease. In the absence of Bieber confirming a diagnosis, speculation that he avoids gluten due to celiac disease remains unproven.
The Takeaway
While the gluten-free diet trend has soared in popularity in recent years, for patients with celiac disease, eliminating gluten is a medical necessity, not a choice. Celiac disease causes immune-mediated damage to the small intestine when gluten is consumed, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and fatigue.
Pop star Justin Bieber has faced various health issues in recent years including Lyme disease, mononucleosis and facial paralysis. However, so far there is no proof that Bieber has celiac disease or follows a gluten-free diet for medical reasons.
Bieber’s wife Hailey has shared she follows a gluten-free diet due to a sensitivity, but spouses do not automatically have the same condition. Unless Bieber confirms being diagnosed with celiac disease, rumors he avoids gluten for medical purposes will remain speculative. Bieber does have a platform to shine light on this challenging autoimmune disorder if he did want to disclose having celiac disease in the future. For now, when it comes to the question “Is Justin Bieber a celiac?”, the jury is still out.
FAQ
Does Justin Bieber have a gluten allergy?
There is no evidence that Justin Bieber has a wheat allergy or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. His wife Hailey Bieber does follow a gluten-free diet for medical reasons, but Justin has not disclosed following a gluten-free diet or being diagnosed with any form of gluten intolerance.
What health conditions does Justin Bieber have?
Justin Bieber has said he was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2020. He also shared he had mononucleosis and more recently suffered temporary facial paralysis from Ramsay Hunt syndrome. He has not stated publicly that he has celiac disease or an allergy to gluten.
Why do people think Justin Bieber is gluten free?
Speculation that Justin Bieber may follow a gluten-free diet emerged in part because his wife Hailey Baldwin Bieber eats gluten-free due to a gluten intolerance. There was also a period where Bieber tried improving his diet and cut out gluten, perhaps fueling rumors. However, Bieber himself has not confirmed strictly avoiding gluten for medical reasons.
Does Justin Bieber eat gluten?
Justin Bieber does not appear to always adhere to a gluten-free diet. He has shared his love of donuts, pancakes, and In-N-Out burgers which typically contain gluten. While Bieber may occasionally choose gluten-free options, he doesn’t seem to avoid gluten entirely.
Could Justin Bieber have undiagnosed celiac disease?
It’s possible Justin Bieber could have undiagnosed celiac disease, since symptoms can often develop gradually over many years. However, his medical history and diet don’t provide definite indicators of the condition. Unless Bieber discloses being diagnosed, speculation that he has asymptomatic celiac disease remains only a theory.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Internet forums have posed the idea that Justin Bieber may follow a gluten-free diet due to celiac disease, there is currently no public statement or clear evidence confirming this is the case. Celiac disease is a serious autoimmune disorder, and maintaining a strict gluten-free diet is important for patients diagnosed with the condition to manage symptoms and avoid complications. However, Bieber has not said he avoids gluten for medical reasons or been publicly open about having celiac disease at this time. Unless the pop star himself confirms being diagnosed with celiac disease, rumors that Bieber requires a gluten-free diet remain unsubstantiated theories. Bieber faces several other known health issues, and has not identified celiac disease when discussing his health history with the public so far. While it remains possible, but unproven, that Bieber may have an asymptomatic form of celiac disease, claims he is a celiac appear premature without his own confirmation.
