No problem if someone with celiac disease kisses someone who has Consumed gluten; Research Finds No Risk
In a revelation that'll bring relief to many, a recent study suggests that kissing your partner, even if they've just wolfed down a gluten-laden meal, is unlikely to trigger any trouble for individuals with celiac disease.
For those unfamiliar, celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that causes an immune response to gluten, a protein found in foods like bread, pasta, and even gummy bears. Everyday activities often necessitate careful planning to steer clear of gluten contamination.
A burning question that often pops up in online forums like Reddit is, "Can celiac people kiss someone who just ate gluten?" Intrigued by this query, researchers decided to dig deeper.
Dr. Nielsen Fernandez-Becker, director of the Celiac Disease Program at Stanford University, admitted that she's spent countless hours counseling her patients about the safety of kissing in such scenarios. "Up until now, we didn't have any study addressing it directly," she said.
With no official guidance, healthcare providers have been left to offer their best judgment. However, Anne Lee, an assistant professor of nutritional medicine at the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University in New York City, decided to change that.
Lee's study included 10 couples, each with one partner diagnosed with celiac disease and the other not. The researchers wanted to ascertain whether a quick smooch from the gluten-eating partner would induce symptoms in their celiac partner.
They tested this in two scenarios: the first involved waiting five minutes before the kiss, while the second had the gluten-eating partner guzzle down some water before puckering up.
Through these experiments, the researchers collected saliva samples and urine tests. The findings indicated that only 10% of the kisses resulted in trace amounts of gluten higher than the 20 ppm deemed safe for food. Even when the celiac partners had amounts above this, they didn't develop any symptoms.
In other words, both methods confirmed that kissing is generally safe, especially if the gluten-eater takes a swig of water before the smooch.
Dr. Joseph Murray, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic, who wasn't involved in the research, agreed with the findings. He acknowledged that some patients might be extremely sensitive to gluten, but these cases appear to be exceptions rather than the norm.
For those who still harbor concerns, it's a good idea for the gluten-eater to down a glass of water before locking lips. If you've been smooching without any symptoms, there's no need to alter your routine.
As Lee, the study's mastermind, puts it, "This is at least one thing we can say is not something you have to worry about. Go ahead and kiss."
Health news
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- Despite some concerns, a recent study has confirmed that kissing is generally safe for individuals with celiac disease, even if their partner has recently consumed gluten, as long as the gluten-eater takes a swig of water before the smooch.
- In a surprising turn of events, Dr. Joseph Murray, a gastroenterologist at the Mayo Clinic, agreed with the findings, stating that while some patients might be extremely sensitive to gluten, such cases seem to be exceptions rather than the norm.
- For those still worried, it's a good idea for the gluten-eater to down a glass of water before locking lips, but if you've been smooching without any symptoms, there's no need to alter your routine.
- In light of the study, health and wellness influencers have added kissing to the list of activities that people with celiac disease can enjoy without worrying about gluten contamination.
- In other health news, mental health professionals are increasingly advocating for a shift in the way we approach love, dating, and relationships in the context of medical conditions like celiac disease, emphasizing understanding and accommodation.
- Meanwhile, the health and wellness industry is responding to the growing demand for gluten-free options, even in unexpected places like dating apps and relationship advice columns, with a greater emphasis on catering to individuals with celiac disease and other gluten-related medical conditions.
