Is gluten glue? Kind of. Gluten actually is the Latin word for “glue” and is composed of gliadin and glutenin — wheat, barley and rye proteins. When extracted from these grass seeds gluten is used to give dough elasticity and keep its shape during baking. While it is a protein source, gluten actually does not deliver a high level of nutrition, but does have substantial amounts of glutamine, an important but non-essential amino acid, and iron and B vitamins. However, there are gluten-free grains (psuedocereals) like amaranth and quinoa that are very rich in proteins like albumins and globulins — important in blood health and antibody function.

But does gluten cause disease? Tricky question. Celiac Disease is a rare genetically pre-disposed condition with symptoms like chronic diarrhea / constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, or no symptoms at all. It affects 1-2% of the population and is caused by the ingestion of wheat. But Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS) may have six to ten times the prevalence of Celiac Disease, and symptoms can be non-gastrointestinal in nature like headache, skin allergies, autoimmune disease and even mental disorders, like anxiety or depression. A gluten-free diet may help relieve some of the symptoms of NCGS.

In the United States there is no requirement to list gluten as an ingredient unless its added. However, food labeled as gluten-free cannot have more than 20 gluten parts per million. MUD dairy free ice cream has zero gluten parts per million. So if you are looking for a gluten-free superfood treat that packs clean energy, put MUD on your gluten-free list, and enjoy.

The above information is for educational purposes only, and gathered from a variety of different sources. It should not be construed as medical advice, or as an endorsement of any particular product. Your healthcare provider is your best source for medical and nutritional direction, and should be consulted on any health decision you make.

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