Gluten is a substance found in some grains. Gluten is important for people who have celiac disease. Malt is made from gluten-containing grains, so malt does contain gluten. Soy flour, on the other hand, is not made from grain, so it is gluten free. If you have problems tolerating gluten, talk to your doctor about what foods contain gluten.
Gluten and Celiac Disease
Gluten is the name given to a group of different proteins, including gliadins, that can be found in wheat, barley and rye, as well as related grains. If you have celiac disease, your immune system is sensitive to gluten. Ingesting gluten will cause an immune reaction to the gluten, causing intense inflammation of your small intestine. This causes pain, diarrhea and poor absorption of nutrients. Because celiac disease can cause permanent damage to your small intestine, it is imperative that you avoid gluten-containing foods if you have celiac disease.
Malt
Malt is a product made by processing germinated grains, such as barley. These grains are allowed to germinate under controlled conditions, and then heat is used to stop the germination process. Additional heat is then used to further alter the grain and change its flavor. Because barley is made from grains, such as barley, it contains gluten. If you have celiac disease, you must avoid all foods made with malt.
Soy flour
Soy flour is made by roasting soy beans and then grinding them into a powder. Soy flour can be made from whole soybeans or can be made from soybeans that are "defatted" to increase the protein concentration of the flour. Soy flour, despite it's name, is jot made from grains and can be used to add protein to foods, including baked goods. Soy flour contains no gluten and is safe for people with celiac disease.
Considerations
Gluten can be found in many grains and even small amounts of gluten can exacerbate celiac disease. Even some grains that do not contain gluten, such as oats, can become contaminated with gluten if they are processed in facilities that also work with gluten-containing grains. If you have celiac disease, look for products that have been labeled as gluten-free or talk to your doctor to learn what foods to avoid.
Member Comments