There have been a few recent reports and blog posts about the effect that coffee has on those of us with celiac disease, gluten intolerance and other gluten sensitivities. So, being the super sleuthy, investigative journalists that we are here at Gluten-Free Saver, we wanted to provide you with some research and ask your opinion on the matter...
In it's purest form, coffee does NOT contain any gluten. So what's the big fuss?
Well, according to Dr. David Clark's YouTube video on the subject, "coffee cross-reacts with gluten antibodies." In fact, Dr. Clark claims that the "most common cross-reactor to gluten is coffee."
What this means in plain English is that your immune system may think that these antibodies are gluten and therefore, your body could respond as if you've ingested gluten!
Does this mean that everyone who has an intolerance or sensitivity to gluten will have a cross-reaction to coffee?
No. And if you're curious to find out if you are cross-reacting to coffee, there's actually a lab test available. However, you'll have to consult with your doctor and get some very expensive lab testing in order to find out that answer.
Most of the experts out there simply recommend anyone who has celiac disease or gluten intolerance to avoid coffee, it's as simple as that. This is devastating news for those coffee fanatics out there. But hey, if it makes you feel better, isn't it worth cutting coffee out of your diet?
So, what do you think? Do you notice that you feel a bit off after drinking coffee? Do you agree with Dr. Clark?
Feel free to post your thoughts below and let us know!
I agree! I love coffee, but it always makes me feel terrible when I drink it. I'm a diagnosed celiac and have always wondered why it makes me feel so bad. I only drink it maybe once a month nowadays - when I absolutely can't stay awake - and just suffer the consequences. I'm going to consult my doc and ask about this lab test. Thanks!
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:39 AM
For the longest time I thought that I had an allergy to coffee on top of my Celiacs, but when visiting my doctor for some allergy testing, my allergy test did not come back positive for coffee allergy. I thought maybe it was the cream and I was having a latctose reaction, but even black coffee would still make me sick. This article is reassuring that I am not making this all up in my head.
I think tea is better anyways! :)
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 12:08 PM
Yikes! This has never happened to me, thank goodness. I drink coffee every day and I think I might be sad if I had to give that up.
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 12:15 PM
I just had a coffee latte....and was wondering why I feel like I just ingested gluten....hmmm
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 12:31 PM
I also have MS and the drug I take for that causes massive migraines. the easiest thing I found for making sure that does not happen is a cup of coffee prior to taking the medication. and even if I had to take a med for the migraine a vast majority of those meds have some sort of caffeine in it
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 12:37 PM
I was diagnosed with celiac as well about 6mths ago...I have never had any reaction to coffee. IT BETTER NOT! Stupid disease took everything good that I liked away so it better not touch my coffee:)
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 12:40 PM
I stopped after I heard this news and I have to say that I could definitely tell a difference. Now I will say this, I could occasionally (once a week at most) have one cup of coffee and didn't really notice feeling terrible, so I think that in moderation it might be ok for some. I changed it from an everyday habit to a treat! And I stick to brands that I know have no cross contamination during processing (Maxwell House is one). Alas, I am now about seven weeks pregnant so I have cut it out completely again. I just know that I had far less abdominal swelling and distress once I stopped for the most part.
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 12:45 PM
This is horrible news! As if we haven't had to give up enough pleasures already, now coffee!
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 12:55 PM
Interesting.... I'll have to do an experiement to see if my body is reacting to coffee. One week on one week off. I hope i'm not! I love coffee!!
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 12:58 PM
I have to say that I have Celiac disease, and while I've also found that I have an intolerance to soy and eggs, I do not have a reaction with coffee. However, I only drink decaf and have found that with caffeinated coffee I do react with headaches. I think I'm just sensitive to caffeine in general. I also drink coffee only once a week or so, so the infrequency could also be contributing to the lack of symptoms.
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:16 PM
Well no wonder I am tired after drinking coffee! I guess it's just decaf tea and water from now on.....booo :(
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:27 PM
Wow...that really stinks. >:-( I have not been diagnosed with celiac, but I AM allergic to wheat and have so many other food sensitivities that my friend jokes with me "Can you drink water?" So far, coffee seems to make me feel really good -- especially with mental alertness -- and it's one of the few beverages I can have, where drinking it is like instantly traveling to a ski lodge and holding a cup of hot cocoa in both hands while sitting by the fire. At this point, I have to draw the line and say that I'm not giving up coffee. However, I will try to curtail how much of it I drink and try not to abuse the privilege.
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:47 PM
So long to S.B. huh gang? Coffee gets me going in the morning, but makes me feel light dodo...too
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:51 PM
I didn't start drinking coffee until a few years after I went gluten free, and I haven't noticed any symptoms or affects from it. However, I drink it black as I don't consume dairy either. Wonder if it's the dairy from cream that is affecting a lot of people who experience symptoms.
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 1:59 PM
I have at least two cups of coffee a day, and it's never bothered my Celiac's disease at all. Thank god for it, or I'd have to curl up in a ball and cry.
My Crohn's, however, is another story. If I'm already having a bad day the coffee will make it worse, but on its own coffee doesn't seem to have any issues.
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:12 PM
Does this include coffee ground at home or is it just an issue with the way your body sees the coffee?
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 2:52 PM
I drink coffee pretty much everyday being that I work at Starbucks I have been celiac for about 5 yrs now n it doesn't affect me whatsoever but I am not so reActant to gluten that I cannot touch play dough ie a lot of Celia s can't eat a salad of it has had croutons on it I can simply pick them off so mayb it has to do with yur level of tolerance for or how bad yu react to gluten or cud b the creamer like others have said
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 3:07 PM
hummmm....this is interesting....I rarely drink coffee, but did several days ago and have not felt right since, very tired and trouble sleeping at night, that is usually a tell tale sign that I have injested gluten! Thanks for the tip, I'll stear clear of coffee for now on.
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 3:38 PM
Coffee just cleans me out. Maybe that is the reaction telling me I should avoid coffee ???
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 3:50 PM
This really makes lots of sense. I found out last summer that gluten and me were not friends when I was taken to the ER because I could not breath with large welts over 90% of my body. The Dr. told to to stop eating gluten and see if the welt hives went away.
Yes, they did. But sadly, when I drink any coffee drink from the basic to the really fancy I would get hives. Even the new ice coffee was bad. Now, I know!
Thanks GlutenFree Saver.
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:03 PM
I drink coffee now but not always due to the milk I would put in it also the coffee itself .
I had a gastric stapling MANY years ago and this made the situation with food all the worse.
I now use Vanilla Silk in my coffee and turned almost vegan. I hardly ever take Prevacid anymore or feel sick. I eat rice cakes til they are coming out my ears but I am losing weight. I am SOOOOOO happy.
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 4:53 PM
me my hubby and two kids have celiac disease, none of us could drink regular coffee, we have been as gf as we can be baring contamination, for 6mos, we can drink decafe now but not in large quantity or on a regular basis,once a week tops. its sad, it has been tremendously hard to get everyone on a gf diet, but definately worth it. something else the family ishaving a hard time drinking is any kind of fruit juice, orange juice more so. does anyone else have that issue too?
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 6:00 PM
i was just wondering, does coffee "clean everyone out" as Carin put it, or is it the gluten effect?
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 6:03 PM
I can have one to one-and-a-half cups per day to wake up. I do not use cream, only fat-free milk or soy. I feel fine with that. BUT, if I drink more than that, I just get really tired. That makes sense. I can handle it, just in smallish doses.
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 7:13 PM
I was diagnosed Celiac 16 months ago(but who's counting?), and I drink coffee almost every day. I feel sooo good now that I am GF, so I do not think coffee has any negative effect on me. Thank God! I love my coffee!
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 7:21 PM
I never thought of this before!
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 9:21 PM
I have Gluten and dairy intolerance and I notice having discomfort in my belly and I also get hives when drinking coffee but I was trying to find out things around my diet or health wise that could give me an answer but this totally makes sense... the days I don't drink coffee I feel better but less energy at times in the day... this is a wonderful recomendation ... thank you so much because I will never thought cofee was the reason ... Blessings.
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 9:46 PM
I have gone from milk with coffee to soy with coffee and now just black coffee. I know I feel awful when I drink it but I am having a hard time giving it up. Since i have cut out most foods, I think the caffeine makes me more jittery than before. and it just doesn't sit well with me. I am glad I am not alone. I thought it was in my head
Posted on July 19, 2012 at 10:55 PM
did they check the dec coffee ? thanks
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 12:49 AM
I was misdiagnosed for 10 and confirmed for 6 years, I drink about 4 cups of coffee a day. I have never had a reaction to coffee. Not good news for us coffee drinkers but I have no intentions of giving up my coffee!!!!!!!
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 4:52 AM
My husband has Celiac and is an avid coffee drinker. The only symptoms he usually has is when he "cheats" a lot! And then he gets panicky. He has never had any symptoms that we know of to coffee. I'll let him know...but I'm sure he won't stop.
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 5:14 AM
I noticed I cannot drink regular coffee; only decaf now. I have to limit it during the day as well. I do have a milk sensitivity so I have been drinking almond milk for several years now. I didn't care for the test of coconut milk.
Posted on July 20, 2012 at 8:02 PM
Finally an answer. I had cut out coffee for another reason and when it resolved went back and have been off. Going to experiment before giving it up as I love coffee. Thank you for the information.
Posted on July 22, 2012 at 5:37 AM
Morning coffee does act as a laxative ... I thought it was just the hot liquid effect. The "hives" comment stuck a cord. I get unexplained itchy bumps that are transient -- come and go.
Response to reaction to orange juice: While my villi were healing, any fruit juice was a problem as was fresh fruit -- three years later, fruit causes no problems.
Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:45 AM
Holy Coffee!!!
Now I know why I could no longer drink coffee after I was diagnosed as gluten intolerant. All I knew was that when I drank coffee I got migraines. After I gave up gluten and started feeling healthy again, I realized that when I would have a cup of coffee (I didn't drink it every day like some people) I would get a migraine headache. My doctor thought it was weird that coffee would trigger a migraine, she said coffee is usually good for preventing migraines. This is all very interesting news!
Posted on July 23, 2012 at 8:10 PM
I am not a coffee drinker. I did drink Earl Grey tea (1 cup every morning maybe 2 on weekends)and since I've quite I am 100% better. I wonder if it is caffeine period. I only drink Kangen water and it has improved my overall health.
Thanks for the insight!
Posted on July 25, 2012 at 11:39 AM