Water filters are a potential problem for Celiac Disease

[YoshiLuckyJackpotWinner888]

We really need to become more aware of this. When I first had my celiac diagnosis 5 years ago, I searched out all possible sources of gluten.  I only recently became aware of filtered water being a potential source of gluten and other grain starch contamination. Gluten exposure in the past, for me, has brought upon distinct repeatable points of bodily pain which I am now aware of. If I purposely expose myself to gluten, I seem to have antibodies attack certain areas of my body which cause this reaction within 30 minutes of exposure. I can tell rather quickly if I was exposed and it never happens, unless gluten is present. In the past 5 years since my diagnosis , I may have noticed occasional pains or odd sensations after drinking bottled water that was filtered.  It never made sense to me why this was happening.  A few months ago I was at a gas station and purchased a Gatorade filtered water bottle product. Within 30 minutes, I had pains associated with gluten exposure that I had not felt for years. I knew it had to be the water bottle contents because nothing else was consumed all day. This was a wake up call for me. I searched and found out a thread about water filters containing starch binders to bind charcoal, which is used commonly, and I found out that grains are potentially used for the starch source.  Gluten is in certain grains, and according to a study in the past two years, many grain proteins and casein from dairy can cross react with celiac. This Gatorade water bottle had water that was likely filtered with a filter that may have had actual gluten. I am also sensitive to the other cross reactive proteins from grains and casein, but the pains that day were distinct. I can absolutely tell the difference if I come into contact with corn or other grains. The reaction is different. My point is bottled water that has been filtered can potentially be exposing us, if they use starch binders from grain products. We have no real practical way of knowing what water filters may have inside of them, unless a law requires disclosure on the label. This is not only going to affect bottled water, but also all products that were made with filtered water. Since cross reactions to other grain proteins is now a real issue, simply stating  gluten free is not enough. How can you know if your store bought lemonade does not have filtered water with gluten or other grain protein contamination?  Did that kombacha you just drank happen to have filter contamination of corn and you suddenly feel a headache and odd chest pains? Distilled water may be the only safe bottled water. We can’t trust water filters until the law changes and requires processing plants to disclose these contaminants.  I don’t ever have a problem with distilled water as long as it was steam distilled.  Regular bottled water has set off noticeable sensations and pains over 5 years of observing these. The Gatorade water was the worst and most alarming.  Stay safe. 

[Scott Adams]

I completely understand wanting to track down every possible source of exposure after a celiac diagnosis, especially when symptoms are distinct and repeatable. That said, there’s currently no credible evidence that bottled water — including filtered water products like Gatorade water — contains gluten from filter materials. Activated carbon filters are typically bound with food-grade binders, and if any starch were used in manufacturing, it would not remain in the finished water at measurable or biologically active levels. Plain water itself does not contain protein, and gluten is a protein. Major beverage companies also have strict allergen control programs, and gluten would need to be declared if intentionally added. If symptoms are occurring consistently after certain products, it may be worth discussing with a physician to explore other potential triggers, but at this time distilled water is not considered medically necessary for people with celiac disease.