Can you transfer gluten with a kiss?
For years, many people with celiac disease have worried about whether close contact, like a kiss, with someone who recently ate gluten could trigger symptoms.Now, a team of researchers from Columbia University has said the risk is very low, especially if a few simple precautions are taken.Columbia scientists, who presented their findings at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2025, said that when it comes to kissing about gluten transfer the fear is overblown.advertisement
Gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley, can trigger serious immune reactions in people with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder affecting around 1% of people worldwide. Because the gut lining can be damaged even by tiny amounts, avoiding gluten entirely is essential.Dr. Anne Lee collaborated with a team of researchers from Columbia University's Celiac Disease Centre, including Dr. Benjamin Lebwohl, Director of Clinical Research, and Dr. Peter H.R. Green, Director of the Centre.To measure the real risk, researchers recruited 10 couples, each including one person with celiac disease. In two test sessions, the non-celiac partner ate 10 saltine crackers (which contain gluten).The couple then kissed for 10 seconds. In one test, they kissed after a 5-minute wait. In the other, the non-celiac partner drank 4 ounces of water before the kiss.advertisementResearchers conducted tests on the saliva of celiac patients' partners to measure gluten presence. The results showed very little gluten transfer-less than 20 parts per million (ppm), the threshold for certified gluten-free products. This indicates that the risk of gluten exposure from kissing is minimal, even if trace amounts remain.Drinking water before kissing did reduce the risk slightly, but it's not a crucial step for safety. Dr. Lee emphasised that patients with celiac disease can be more at ease knowing that the risk of gluten transfer from a partner who has consumed gluten is minimal, especially if they follow the meal with a small glass of water.These results are also beneficial for those with non-celiac gluten sensitivity, who, while not experiencing gut damage, may still experience symptoms like bloating or fatigue from gluten exposure.Ultimately, this study clears up common worries about casual contact after someone eats gluten and offers helpful advice for people who are sensitive to gluten-even if they don't have celiac disease.It shows that symptoms like bloating or tiredness can often be avoided by taking simple steps, helping people feel more at ease in everyday social situations.
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