Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Grain Alcohol Has Gluten?


Shamilton

Recommended Posts

Shamilton Rookie

Is there some controversy about whether or not grain alcohol (from a "gluten" grain) has gluten in it? Soy Delicious told me there Soy Icecream is gluten-free (they clean the machine well, so they feel there is a low chance of cross contamination..), but they do use flavorings with grain alcohol. They seemed to think it is not proven there is gluten in the alcohol. My daughter is still reacting to something, so we are going to eliminate the soy icecream (she will be sad!), but I was just wondering. Also, is there any non-dairy, non-gluten icecream that is "safe"?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



seeking-wholeness Explorer
Also, is there any non-dairy, non-gluten icecream that is "safe"?

I haven't found one. My son reacted to Rice Dream "ice cream" (which I read somewhere does NOT use a barley enzyme in the processing), and I have been reluctant to try others. If you find one, please let me know!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 4 weeks later...
jen-schall Rookie

As far as I know - and I'm pretty certain - any grain-derived alcohol contains gluten. Depending on distillation processes, some companies insist the gluten molecules are "removed," but most doctors, including mine, recommend you still not partake, just to be safe. Grain alcohol is what causes most of the problems with natural or artificial flavors containing gluten. A solution, although it's kind of a pain, is to call the company and ask if their product contains gluten and if they use grain alcohol. Many companies will tell you they don't know for sure or they cannot guarantee if they have many sources of raw materials... this typically means you have to eliminate that food.

The good news is: Imagine Foods Soy Dream ice cream is completely non-dairy (vegan) and gluten-free! and it's good!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tarnalberry Community Regular

You could also get an ice cream maker to make your own out of safe soy milks or sorbets.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 1 month later...
tom Contributor

Hmmm surprising. I was sure i'd read in numerous sources that the distillation breaks down the gluten/gliadin to the point that it's not the same type of molecule at all. I thought this was why any distilled vinegar from any source is safe.

I'm sure a technical explanation wouldn't claim anything is "removed", as much as broken down into components.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tarnalberry Community Regular

Actually, "removed" is the correct term for what happens to the gluten in the distillation process. Basically, distillation is where the more volatile (and lighter) molecules are evaporated off of a liquid. The gluten molecules are too heavy to make it through the many steps of a distillation process.

I know that there are people who still suspect grain alcohol despite this, but I went through too many chemistry labs to suspect it any farther. That is NOT to say that a company may not completely distill their products or that some of the undistilled liquid could get into the distilled liquid in a poor quality process, of course. And there is some alcohol that has ingredients added to it after the distillation process which could contain gluten.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
tom Contributor

Aha, thx for the explanation. Not sure WHAT i was thinking. I should look something up b4 posting sometimes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



  • 5 years later...
Gfree in MI Newbie
Is there some controversy about whether or not grain alcohol (from a "gluten" grain) has gluten in it? Soy Delicious told me there Soy Icecream is gluten-free (they clean the machine well, so they feel there is a low chance of cross contamination..), but they do use flavorings with grain alcohol. They seemed to think it is not proven there is gluten in the alcohol. My daughter is still reacting to something, so we are going to eliminate the soy icecream (she will be sad!), but I was just wondering. Also, is there any non-dairy, non-gluten icecream that is "safe"?

It's very possible that the problem is an allergy to soy in addition to gluten sensitivity. Why don't you try Turtle Mountain's Purely Decadent made with Coconut Milk Ice Cream (Open Original Shared Link) or Coconut Bliss (www.coconutbliss.com)? Both are very good.

As for the grain alcohol issue, I found the following article online at Open Original Shared Link

See section entitled "Alcohol derived from wheat"

Celiac Disease and Safe Grains

Donald D. Kasarda, Ph.D.

Research Chemist (Retired)

U. S. Department of Agriculture

Albany, CA

July, 2003

Learning Objective: To review the relationship of wheat, rye, and barley, the harmful grains in celiac disease, to other grains that might suitably be included in the diet of celiac patients.

Celiac disease

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      120,458
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    RUTHANN BRANOFF
    Newest Member
    RUTHANN BRANOFF
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):




  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      And the fact is, no two celiacs will necessarily respond the same to gluten exposure. Some are "silent" celiacs and don't experience obvious symptoms. But that doesn't mean no harm is being done to their gut. It just means it is subclinical. 
    • AlyO
      Thank you, Trents.  I appreciate your helpful and friendly reply. It seems more likely to be a bug.  It has been a pretty severe bought. I feel that I don’t have enough experience to know what signs my little one shows after exposure to gluten. 
    • trents
      Hannah24, be aware that if you are on a gluten free diet, you will invalidate any further testing for celiac disease (except genetics) and would need to go back to eating significant amounts of gluten for weeks or months to qualify for valid testing.
    • knitty kitty
      Hello, @Hannah24 Have you had a DNA test done?  Celiac Disease is genetic.  You must have at least one gene to develop celiac disease.  You don't have to be consuming gluten for a genetic test.   Anemia, diabetes and thiamine deficiency can cause false negatives.  Some lucky people are seronegative, but still have celiac disease.  Peripheral neuropathy, tingling in hands and feet are symptoms of vitamin deficiencies.  Vitamin C, Thiamine B1, Niacin B3, Pyridoxine B6, and Cobalamine B12 can each cause peripheral neuropathy.  These same vitamins are needed to produce blood cells.  Most undiagnosed Celiacs suffer from nutritional deficiencies. The DNA test would be helpful.
    • trents
      We do hear of cases of remission but they generally eventually revert back. I wouldn't push your luck.
×
×
  • Create New...