Is There Gluten In Soft Drinks?

[Lynxear]

Prior to stopping eating wheat 3 weeks ago, I used to drink a lot of diet Coke. I guess I always felt a bit bloated then but dismissed it as due to the carbonation of the drink.

After 3 weeks I am now sensitive to feelings of being bloated. I rarely feel this way now after means where it was constant before. I find now that Diet Coke now has an increased bloating effect (probably since that is a rare feeling now) on me. Now my favourite drink in a bar is simply soda water with a twist of lime. No bloating here and lots of carbonation...so is the bloating in the Diet Coke due to gluten in the drink...cannot see a source in the list of ingredients...but the feeling is the same as though I have eaten a slice of bread......

Anyone know??

[VydorScope]

All Coke and pepis are gluten-free

[penguin]

Coke and Pepsi products are all gluten-free, thankfully.

It might be the sweetener in diet coke that gets you, my mom is sensitive to them and it gives her all kinds of stomach upset, and she's not even Celiac.

[Guest jhmom]

As the others have said Coke, Diet coke, etc are gluten free but maybe the carbonation is giving you the problem. I too had a reaction to Splenda in one of the new 7-up drinks but it wasn't the same reaction you had. I hope you find out what is giving you a problem

[VydorScope]

Some ppl react to splenda, and it has GI symptons much like celiac, but does no damage.

[Guest Viola]

Some people are sensitive to the Caremel colour in coke and pepsi.

I have problems with them, but have no problems with the clear drinks such as Sprite or 7-Up

[Lynxear]

Some people are sensitive to the Caremel colour in coke and pepsi.

I have problems with them, but have no problems with the clear drinks such as Sprite or 7-Up

Perhaps that is it....Carbonation as such is not a problem. I find club soda with a twist of lime to be a very refreshing drink on ice. I often mix Sprite with orange juice to create a nice drink ..... again with no problems.

But there is a slight gassy bloat when I drink Diet Coke that is more noticable now that I don't have other sources. Aspartame as a sugar substitute in my coffee is no problem either.

It is not dibilitating (sp?) but I kinda like this feeling of eating a meal and feeling comfortable afterward^^

[Lynxear]

Well I did further research on Caramel which is of course part of cola drinks...my thanks to mommida for encouraging me to do this.

It seems that Caramel may contain Gluten and be one of those "hidden Gluten" sources....depending on how it is manufactured

here is what I found

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 1999;96:11482-11485.

(Celiac.com 04/10/2000) Spanish researchers, including Dr. Alicia Armentia Medina from the Hospital Rio Hortega in Valladolid, Spain, warn that people who have cereal allergies should exercise caution when drinking cola or cocoa products as these beverages may contain cereal proteins. These proteins could cause a severe asthmatic reaction in rare instances. Cereal allergies are very common throughout the world, and it is difficult to know the formulation of cola drinks. According to Dr. Medina: "It is possible that they contain cereals." In their study, which was presented to the 16th World Congress of Asthma in Spain, Medina's team analyzed the allergic reactions of nine people who suffered severe asthmatic reactions after drinking cola. The researchers linked their allergic reactions to specific alpha-amylase inhibitor molecules that originate from wheat, rye and barley, and were found in their drink.

The researchers conclude: "My personal opinion is that persons who know that they have a cereal allergy should be careful about consuming foods such as (colas) and cocoa that could contain cereal in their composition."

http://www.consciouschoice.com/2001/cc1410...isease1410.html

Some sources of gluten are easy to detect: breads, pastas, cookies, crackers, cakes, breaded foods, etc. But gluten is often hidden in the most innocent of foods. Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (found in broth, soup, and bouillon); caramel coloring (in candy, cola, and snack food); malt, malt flavor, and malt syrup (made from barley); and most marinades, gravies, and cream sauces are out of the question. Some companies dust their products with wheat flour to keep them from sticking, and they are not required to report it on the label.

https://www.celiac.com/st_prod.html?p_prodid=185

The problem with caramel color is it may or may not contain gluten depending on how it is manufactured. In the USA caramel color must conform with the FDA standard of identity from 21CFR CH.1. This statute says: "the color additive caramel is the dark-brown liquid or solid material resulting from the carefully controlled heat treatment of the following food-grade carbohydrates: Dextrose (corn sugar), invert sugar, lactose (milk sugar), malt syrup (usually from barley malt), molasses (from cane), starch hydrolysates and fractions thereof (can include wheat), sucrose (cane or beet)." Also, acids, alkalis and salts are listed as additives which may be employed to assist the caramelization process.

Hmmmmm....well based on my experience of slight bloating....my vote is that it is the caramel in the Diet coke that is my problem. It is not serious in my case....I love the drink and drank a lot of it in my time....but now armed with this knowledge I will drink less of it.

[Mike Archer]

Coca-Cola claims that the majority of their products contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten and are safe to drink by people with celiac disease. This includes Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and most other Coke beverages.

If you have a problem with gluten, wouldn't that matter no matter the amount you intake? Or do you have to consume a certain amount for it to typically affect a person?

[cyclinglady]

1 minute ago, Mike Archer said:

Coca-Cola claims that the majority of their products contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten and are safe to drink by people with celiac disease. This includes Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and most other Coke beverages.

If you have a problem with gluten, wouldn't that matter no matter the amount you intake? Or do you have to consume a certain amount for it to typically affect a person?

Hi Mike!

This is a pretty old posting, so I will respond.  Coke products are gluten free.  Are they healthy?  In my opinion no!  However, I have been known to have a soft drink when I am out in a social situation.

The 20 parts per million (ppm) cut off was established a few years ago.  But let’s face it, not much research was done.  It is safe for most celiacs.  However, every individual is different.  Some celiacs are very sensitive and they need to be well under 20 ppm.  Many of our members who have Dermatitis Herpetiformis (DH) report that they need to very strict and they stick to a non-processed diet. 

If you are new to celiac disease, I suggest you read the Newbie 101 thread located in the “Coping” section of the forum.  It has lots of good tips. 

My advice?  Avoid soft drinks.  I think (I am not a doctor) that they have contributed to our obesity and diabetes (type 2) problem.  When cleaning folks recommend using Coke to clean your toilet for hard water lines, I figure what can it be doing to your gut?  Yikes!  Ha!  ?

https://spoonuniversity.com/lifestyle/clean-your-toilet-with-coke

 

[kareng]

3 hours ago, Mike Archer said:

Coca-Cola claims that the majority of their products contain less than 20 parts per million of gluten and are safe to drink by people with celiac disease. This includes Coca-Cola Classic, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, and most other Coke beverages.

If you have a problem with gluten, wouldn't that matter no matter the amount you intake? Or do you have to consume a certain amount for it to typically affect a person?

Less than 20 ppm doesn't mean it has 19 ppm or 5 ppm or any gluten at all.  

[Rob S.]

I am very sensitive to gluten. I have not had any problem with Coke products. I did try Diet Pepsi for a week and had problems. I went back to Coke and problems disappeared. My research at the time lead me to believe it could be the Carmel color that Pepsi used.

[Ennis-TX]

1 hour ago, Rob S. said:

I am very sensitive to gluten. I have not had any problem with Coke products. I did try Diet Pepsi for a week and had problems. I went back to Coke and problems disappeared. My research at the time lead me to believe it could be the Carmel color that Pepsi used.

Pretty sure that is derived from corn...the used to have a vintage blend with malt and gluten in it, but got rid of it earlier in the year.

If you suspect issues with corn, carmel color etc. Try Zevia, bit off taste and takes some getting used to the stevia but they make knock offs of most soda, but without the fake colors, sugar, corn syrup, etc.....really the only soda I drink now days, in moderation maybe  one or two a week.

[apprehensiveengineer]

11 hours ago, Rob S. said:

I am very sensitive to gluten. I have not had any problem with Coke products. I did try Diet Pepsi for a week and had problems. I went back to Coke and problems disappeared. My research at the time lead me to believe it could be the Carmel color that Pepsi used.

Diet pops contain artificial/no-calorie sweeteners (polyols), which are well-known to have a laxative effect, and cause diarrhea in some. Diet coke contains aspartame, while diet pepsi contains aspartame + acesulfame potassium. Perhaps the acesulfame potassium in the diet pepsi is a no-go for you personally.

These ingredients aren't inherently unsafe (artificial sweeteners are among the most studied food additives), but some people do seem not to tolerate them super well. I am one of those people, and have to avoid sugar-free/diet/low-calorie foods which tend to contain them, as well as limit foods in which these substances occur naturally (some vegetables).

 

[Rob S.]

Thanks apprehensiveengineer.

I appreciate the education on acesulfame potassium.

[sljak]

I haven’t had pop in over a year and was skeptical to drinking coke due to the gluten. I drank some, not a lot and my stomach swelled so swollen like I ate a lot of gluten. I don’t understand???

[trents]

I don't think there is gluten in Coca-cola. Was it diet coke or regular with all that sugar?

[knitty kitty]

@sljak, welcome to the forum!

If you had a regular soda sweetened with High Fructose Corn Syrup, you might have developed Fructose Malabsorption.  

This article explains fructose malabsorption well.  Symptoms include gas and bloating.

https://www.healthline.com/health/fructose-malabsorption

 

Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth might be a possibility, too.  

https://www.healthline.com/health/sibo#symptoms

I'm sure there's no gluten in coke.  It's probably the fructose.  

[Rogol72]

I had a Fanta Orange in a pub for the first time in years this summer. I reacted to it, skin started itchnig. Don't know what the offending ingredient was and haven't bothered to investigate.

[Scott Adams]

This article indicates that Coke and most soft drinks are gluten-free: