Distillation versus fermentation

[Linzy1208]

Alcohol made with wheat products is considered safe and gluten-free due to the distillation process. Though they cannot be labeled gluten-free legally. By the same logic, wouldn’t soy sauce be safe and gluten-free due to the fermentation process? Just not legally able to be labeled gluten-free? Why do celiacs seem so lax on alcohol made with gluten (beer aside) but crazy about soy sauce? And why cant we label these products as “gluten removed” like the beers on the market, as technically they are made with gluten products but not gluten-containing?

[kareng]

31 minutes ago, Linzy1208 said:

Alcohol made with wheat products is considered safe and gluten-free due to the distillation process. Though they cannot be labeled gluten-free legally. By the same logic, wouldn’t soy sauce be safe and gluten-free due to the fermentation process? Just not legally able to be labeled gluten-free? Why do celiacs seem so lax on alcohol made with gluten (beer aside) but crazy about soy sauce? And why cant we label these products as “gluten removed” like the beers on the market, as technically they are made with gluten products but not gluten-containing?

Fermentation is completely different than distillation.  Beer is fermented.  Fermentation does not “remove” gluten which is why regular beer Or soy sauce  is not gluten-free

Edited January 7, 2020 by kareng

[RMJ]

Distillation separates compounds based on the temperature at which they change from liquid to gaseous form. The gaseous form is recondensed and collected.  Gluten stays in the original liquid.

Fermentation chops up compounds but they are still there in smaller pieces.  

[cyclinglady]

There is a difference between distilled and fermented.  Soy sauce is not gluten free.

https://www.glutenfreeliving.com/gluten-free-foods/diet/is-soy-sauce-gluten-free/

 As far as gluten removed beer, it is questionable.  

https://www.glutenfreewatchdog.org/news/can-individuals-with-celiac-disease-drink-barley-based-gluten-removed-beers-such-as-omission-a-gluten-free-watchdog-special-report/

Some celiacs swear that beer that has had “gluten-removed” is safe, but I stand by being safe and having a biopsy-confirmed healed gut.  Bet those that claim it is “safe” are mostly guys.  Just saying.....?

 

[mbrookes]

As to the "gluten removed" beer. I can drink it with no problem. However, we are all different and have different tolerances. What works for me may not for you. And some things you can eat safely might send me into a tailspin. Isn't this a fun disease? There really are no absolutes. Find what works for you and go for it. 

[NNowak]

I literally just had this discussion with a physician today. If it’s from gluten containing grains, no amount of distillation will remove the gluten. Some people might not react, but chemistry doesn’t lie. I’ve tried gluten removed with negative consequences.  Just my 2 cents. 

[kareng]

22 minutes ago, NNowak said:

I literally just had this discussion with a physician today. If it’s from gluten containing grains, no amount of distillation will remove the gluten. Some people might not react, but chemistry doesn’t lie. I’ve tried gluten removed with negative consequences.  Just my 2 cents. 

Fermentation does not remove the gluten - distillation has no gluten in the finished product.  The gluten doesn’t/ can’t float up into the steam. There seems to be a lot of confusion of the two terms