Gluten Intolerance = Coffee Intolerance??? Say What?!

Gluten intolerance and sensitivity are unpleasant as it is. Most people find, however, that once they remove gluten from their diet, they find relief of their symptoms. There are some people that still have issues even without gluten.

This can be mind boggling. Research has found that there are several foods that cause what’s called a gluten cross-reactivity. This happens because the proteins in these foods are perceived by the body the same way that gluten in, as an INVADER!

One of the most common foods that this occurs with is dairy. This is because of its casein proteins. Coffee also contains problematic proteins and the cross reaction to coffee has actually been found to be one of the most severe.

If you’re like me, and you’re a coffee lover… and you’ve ever suspected or been found to have any issue with gluten, this is a kick in the throat. But we need to pay attention to this information. Maybe coffee DOES in fact mimic gluten.

There was a study published in 2013 in Food and Nutritional Sciences that examined the cross-reactivity of coffee. The research showed that highly-processed coffees, such as instant and popular ground varieties, produces the most cross-reactivity in subjects.

What is believed to cause the problem is the processing itself, since organic whole-bean coffees did not produce the issues. There is more research needed but it is believed that during processing the proteins in coffee are changed in such a way that the body perceives them as a threat… hence the inflammatory response. This is the same thing that occurs with the processing of dairy, and why it produces similar issues as gluten.

The most troubling aspect of the cross-reactivity of coffee is the symptoms that it produces: migraines, mental fogginess and fatigue. These symptoms often make people reach for another cup of coffee. It can be a frustrating and damaging cycle. And what about the dairy that most people seem to add to their coffee?… DOUBLE TROUBLE!

We will keep you posted as more research comes to light. This is something to think about and observe in yourself!

Bringing Brain Food to a Whole New Level

Have you ever looked closely at a walnut? If you haven’t, take a good long look at the one above. What does it look like? All wrinkly… with a left and right hemisphere and all of those folds… It looks just a like a brain!

Look aren’t everything, and that’s not the only reason it has been nicknamed “brain food”. They have a very high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, which help support brain function.

Fun fact: Walnuts develop over three dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function. Funner fact: They may also head off dementia.

What?! Yes, that’s right, a recent study found that walnut extract broke down the protein-based plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease. They also found that walnuts reversed some signs of brain again… in rats. But, still, these are some awesome discoveries. This takes the term “brain food” to a whole new level! This evidence is starting indicate that walnuts may reduce the risk or delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

This is great news! I know what I’m going to do… I’m going to the store, I’m going to buy some walnuts, and I’m putting them on EVERYTHING!