Foods That Cross-React with Gluten: 24 Possibilities

Whether you’re new to the gluten-free lifestyle, or have lived it for many years, you’ve likely seen at least one article on the Web that states there are foods that can cross-react with gluten while you were trying to educate yourself.

I came across five while getting ready to write this post. Yes, five. The general idea behind these particular posts is that a number of foods (19, but a few articles have more or less) all have protein structures that are very similar to gluten. As a result of those protein structures, your weakened immune system can (and often will) confuse these foods with gluten and throw up a reaction to them. In other words, you’ll feel just like you would if you had eaten gluten.

• Is Gluten Intolerance the Same as Celiac Disease?

Let’s look at this a little more closely.

The Cross-Reactive Line-Up

The general list that seems to appear over and over across the Internet contains the following foods:

The basic premise behind this list is that if you’ve followed a gluten-free diet, but still feel as though you’ve eaten gluten, you may be experiencing one or more cross-reactions to something on this list.

Is that true? It certainly can be!

A 2013 Study

In 2013, a study by Aristo Vodjani and Igal Tarash (for Cyrex Labs, who offer cross-reactivity testing) appeared in the journal called Food and Nutrition Sciences titled “Cross-Reaction Between Gliadin and Different Food and Tissue Antigens.”

In this study, Vodjani and Tarash attempted to “determine whether symptoms could be due to cross-contamination with gluten-containing foods or cross-reactivity between ?-gliadin and non-gluten foods consumed on a GFD [gluten-free diet].”

Without going into detailed specifics about the entirety of the study (which you can read for yourself at the link above), Vodjani and Tarash found that “milk, casein and milk-containing products such as milk chocolate should be thought of as containing gluten-like peptides, at least in individuals whose symptoms fail to improve significantly on GFD [gluten-free diet].”

So, no milk, no casein, and absolutely nothing that contains milk. If you’re a fan of milk chocolate, well, you may be in for a surprise.

But what about other items on the list? Well, according to the study:

• Coffee: Instant coffee contains traces of gluten. You can always check the labels, but sticking to pure coffee is likely your safest bet.
• Oats: Some oats are strictly gluten-free, while others are not. Some Celiac patients show oat=specific immune responses, while others do not. (So, if you’re worried, stick to the oats that are certified gluten-free.)
• Yeast: There was no conclusion in the study when it came to yeast; a reaction was observed but the authors were unsure of it was a true cross-reaction, or if the yeast they used was contaminated with gluten.
• Chocolate: Many milk chocolate products can be contaminated with wheat; it’s best to stick to the chocolate that is certified gluten-free.
• Soy: The study found that milled soy flour may potentially be contaminated with gluten; other soy products were not cross-reactive.
• Millet: “Millet may not be a good substitute for gluten-containing grains for some individuals … due to gluten cross-reactivity.”
• Corn & Rice: Significant immune reactivity was observed with fresh corn on the cob and various rices.

While this study, along with the aforementioned list of cross-reactive foods has spread through the Internet like a wildfire, many have come out in opposition, stating that there are no studies that actually confirm the results that Vodjani and Tarash came up with.

As you would guess, this reaction led many to wonder if cross-reactivity was just a myth that was being spread as truth.

ICDS: Celiac Disease Myths Debunked

At the 2013 International Celiac Disease Symposium in Chicago, there was a panel session titled “Celiac Disease Myths Debunked.” The panel was comprised of a number of members of the medical advisory board for the Celiac Disease Foundation, including Drs. Stefano Guandalini, Don Kasarda, John Zone, Markhu Maki, Melinda Dennis, and Andrea Levario.

One of the “myths” they discussed, as you’ve likely guessed, is that of cross-reactivity with gluten-contaminated foods. One of my favorite GF bloggers, Erica from Celiac and the Beast, was in attendance and took some notes on cross-reactivity, among other topics.

When you search the Web, it seems that corn and coffee are two foods from above that many people worry over. Statements from the members of the Celiac Disease Foundation board, and notes from Erica and CATB say the same thing:

“Corn is safe and not cross-reactive. There is no scientific evidence to show it contains proteins that cross-react with gluten.”

It does need to be stated though, that it’s definitely still possible to have a corn sensitivity. If you’ve eaten corn and it makes you feel miserable, stop eating it. Cutting things from your diet if they make you feel awful is okay.

The same goes for the coffee you love.

“Coffee is safe and not cross-reactive. There is no scientific evidence to show it contains proteins that cross-react with gluten.”

Because the panel seemingly didn’t discuss differences (if there are any) between pure coffee and instant coffee, sticking to pure coffee seems to be the better plan. Be aware that coffee is a natural bowel irritant. For everyone, not just you.

• What You Should Know About Eating Gluten-Free

The Bottom Line

When it comes to cross-reactivity with gluten, it’s hard to know what to believe. If you believe the results from the Cyrex Labs study, that’s great. If you choose to believe the top celiac doctors and researchers from the Celiac Disease Foundation who were on the ICDS panel, that’s great, too.

However, there’s one thing I think everyone with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity will agree on:

Always listen to what your body is telling you. 

It’s possible for anyone to have a sensitivity to anything, including the foods that are mentioned above. Perhaps the best rule is to remove certain foods if they’re making you feel awful. It’s really one of the few ways you’ll start feeling better, especially since the only way to combat celiac disease is to follow a strict gluten-free diet. Right now, the only person who can make you feel better is you.

• No, Cheating on Your Gluten-Free Diet is NOT Okay

What are you feelings on cross-reactivity? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Please leave us a comment below!

Photo Credits: Mike Cam and Parée.