WEDNESDAY, Dec. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Regular beer and even
some brands of beer labeled "low-gluten" contain high levels of
gluten and could cause problems for people with celiac disease, a
new study says.
Beer is made using barely, which contains a form of gluten
called hordein. However, some beer companies contend that the
brewing process eliminates gluten or reduces it to very low levels,
according to a release from the
Journal of Proteome Research, where the new study appears.
Because existing tests for detecting gluten in malted products
are not very accurate, the research team developed a new test
that's highly accurate for hordein.
They used this test to analyze 60 commercial beers and found
that many of the regular brands contained significant levels of
hordein.
Eight brands labeled "gluten-free" did not contain hordein.
However, the researchers were surprised to discover that two of the
brands labeled "gluten-free" actually had about as much hordein as
regular beer.
People with celiac disease need to avoid gluten, a protein that
triggers a reaction that damages the small intestine. Diarrhea,
constipation, fatigue and abdominal pain are among the symptoms
experienced by people with celiac disease when they consume foods
and beverages with gluten.
The only treatment for people with celiac disease is to remain
on a lifelong gluten-free diet.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians has more about
celiac disease.