What is gluten in food

Bread. Image via pixabay.

Gluten is found in so many foods that we consume each day and consequently, we're are always hearing about it! We also even read it off of lots of food labels.

But, exactly what is gluten in food?


Gluten is found in the wheat, barley, and rye grains. So, therefore, foods that are made with these grains will contain gluten.

Gluten is actually two proteins. The proteins glutenin and gliadin are the two proteins that make up gluten. These proteins are found in the seeds of the wheat, barley, and rye grains.


A BIT MORE ON THESE THREE GRAINS!


Wheat, barley, and rye are all grasses and we harvest the grains of these grasses.

Wheat (Triticum spp.)

- Wheat is used in the production of bread, pasta,cereals, etc. 

- Wheat flour is what is used to make these foods. How do we get wheat flour? The seeds of the wheat plants (remember that's where the gluten is found) is grounded to make the wheat flour.  

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

- It is used to make soups, beer, etc.

- Malted barley is fermented into beer and unmalted barley is also used to make certain beers.