What makes oats gluten free

People with certain conditions need to avoid gluten. This article explains what foods to eat and avoid on a gluten-free diet and includes a delicious…. Oat bran is the outer layer of the oat groat and boasts more protein and fiber than regular oats. Here are 9 health and nutrition benefits of oat bran. Gluten intolerance is fairly common and can cause widespread symptoms, some of which are not related to digestion. Here are 21 common signs to look…. Plant-based milk alternatives are popular and oat milk is hailed as an excellent choice for people with allergies or intolerances.

This article…. This is a detailed review of oats a popular whole grain food , looking at its health benefits and nutritional properties. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Gluten basics Oats basics Contamination Other downsides Benefits Bottom line We include products we think are useful for our readers.

Oats are a highly nutritious grain with many health benefits. However, you may wonder whether oats and oatmeal contain gluten. This article explores whether you can include oats in a gluten-free diet.

Share on Pinterest. Are oats gluten-free? Oats are often contaminated with gluten. Other potential oat downsides. Oats have many health benefits. The bottom line. Sign up to receive Popular Science's emails and get the highlights. Does your morning bowl of gluten-free oats follow purity protocol?. This post has been updated. It was originally published on December 10, Sara Chodosh Sara is an associate editor at PopSci where she writes about everything from vaccine hesitancy to extreme animal sex.

One of the main concerns relates to the risk of oats being contaminated by grains that do contain gluten when grown or processed. It is not uncommon, especially in Australia, for oats to be processed in a facility that also processes other gluten-containing grains such as wheat, barley or rye, so oats can be contaminated at this stage with gluten. Cross contamination can also happen in the field when oats are grown in rotation with or side-by-side other grains. Our Organic Oats — Gluten Tested are oats that have been grown and processed in a dedicated mill to ensure the entire production chain remains free of contamination from gluten products.

They are sustainably grown and harvested from certified organic, non-GMO seed. In fact, it is much easier to test for gluten in oat flour than in whole, unprocessed oat groats because if there are gluten grains present , they have been more evenly distributed through out the flour. More even distribution means it is easier to detect gluten in much smaller samples taken for testing. Gluten-free consumers should b e cautious of oat products that are not labeled or certified gluten-free.

If an oat product is certified gluten-free , the certification mark verifies that the product is safe to eat. If someone believes they are sensitive to oats, they should consult with their physician before adding oats to their diet. If someone is sensitive to gluten or has been diagnosed with celiac disease, looking for a reliable certification on an oat product will offer the best assurances available that the product is safe.

The majority of information in the scientific literature supports the case that gluten-free oats are safe for the majority of individuals with celiac disease. O ats should only be introduced into the diets of people with celiac disease under the guidance of a personal healthcare team and in limited amounts.

W hy oats should be included in a diet at all if there is any question as to their safety? O ats are a good source of nutrients that are often lacking in the gluten-free diet. Si nce the gluten-free diet is already limited, adding additional restrictions can have negative effects on quality of life. Th e issue of oats can seem complex and confusing due primarily to the following factors:.

The risks of agricultural comingling and cross-contact: Unless certified gluten-free, oats may contain gluten-containing grains, potentially leading to the belief that the oats themselves are problematic. Gluten grains can still get into oats through wind, animals, and human error prior to processing. Over recent years, certified gluten-free oats — and products containing certified gluten-free oats or oat flour — have become more widely available, making this issue less prevalent.

Some people are sensitive to oats: Oats contain avenin, a storage protein that bears some similarities to the gluten found in wheat, rye, and barley. The amount is relatively small.