Most people's bodies digest and absorb gluten the same way it does other nutrients. The molecules break down in the stomach and the intestines absorb the smaller molecules. However, if you are sensitive to gluten, your body cannot tolerate it, which leads to complications. This causes significant damage in the digestive tract.
Normal Gluten Digestion
Gluten is a type of protein found in grains like wheat, spelt, barley and rye. If you do not have a sensitivity to gluten, your digestive tract easily absorbs gluten. The digestive tract begins with the mouth. As you chew, saliva in your mouth begins to break down food. Food then travels down the esophagus to the stomach, where digestive enzymes break proteins down into a liquidy mixture. Food then heads to the small intestine. Nutrients pass into the bloodstream through small finger-like projections called villi. Nutrients then travel throughout the body where you need them. The large intestine also absorbs some nutrients and sends the rest to your rectum for elimination. This is the end of the digestive tract.
Gluten Intolerance
If you have a gluten intolerance, or sensitivity, your digestive system cannot properly digest gluten foods. Eating foods with gluten can cause bloating, gas, indigestion, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, abnormal bowel frequency, spasms, blood or mucous in your stools and hemorrhoids. A gluten intolerance is not the same as a gluten allergy or celiac disease, though an intolerance and celiac both result in similar symptoms. The treatment for all three problems is the same: eliminate gluten completely from your diet.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an extreme digestive disease. Eating gluten when you have this disease causes significant problems in your intestines. Instead of food passing harmlessly into your small intestine and through the villi to the bloodstream, your body attacks the gluten as if it were an invading virus or bacteria. This reaction from your immune system damages the villi. The villi wear down over time until they are like small nubs instead of fingers. Your body then has difficultly absorbing any nutrients, which may lead to malnutrition and a host of other related conditions.
Gluten Foods
Bagels, cookies, muffins, pizza dough and many other products usually contain gluten. Wheat products like bread are the easiest to spot, but many other items can hurt you if you have an intolerance or celiac disease. Some vitamins, medications and even lip balms might have gluten. Soy sauce and textured vegetable protein contain gluten too. Some oats get processed with gluten and can cause reactions. You can eat gluten-free breads. Your body digests anything made with rice, soy, quinoa, bean flour, buckwheat, potato and amaranth normally, unless you have an additional allergy or sensitivity.
