Gluten is an abundance of proteins found in wheat, barley and rye that functions like glue to provide stretchiness to dough. Due to this quality, gluten has become popular as an additive for processed food products to create texture and moisture retention.
If you eat gluten by accident or as the result of cross-contamination and you are wondering how long does it take for gluten to leave your system, your digestive system may take some time to flush away toxins from your system. An increase in water consumption may help facilitate this process more quickly.
Symptoms
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye and triticale that provides structure and consistency in many food items such as bread, cakes and pasta. If you suffer from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity however, eating gluten can have devastating effects on your digestive system and cause serious digestive discomfort.
Gluten intolerance symptoms often include diarrhea, constipation and bloating; occasionally having these symptoms is normal but persistently experiencing them may indicate a more serious underlying condition.
Notable symptoms of gluten sensitivity include depression, low energy and concentration issues (commonly referred to as brain fog), skin problems like rashes and dryness as well as nutritional deficiencies caused by intestinal damage (leaky gut syndrome), or intestinal damage which allows undigested proteins into your bloodstream through damaged small intestines, leading to immune reactions or potentially leading to autoimmune diseases.
Diarrhea
celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity will often experience digestive distress when they consume gluten, with symptoms including diarrhea. This occurs because when gluten enters their bodies through accidental or cross-contaminated consumption or cross-contamination it irritates or damages the small intestine lining, which causes damage.
Gluten intolerance symptoms often manifest themselves with an itchy rash known as dermatitis herpetiformis that may appear on elbows, knees, torso and scalp. Additionally, it has been associated with changes to small intestinal lining similar to what might be seen with celiac disease diagnosis – although this isn’t always the case.
Drinking lots of water and including more fiber in your diet may help speed up the elimination of gluten from your body. Incorporating probiotic-rich foods may also assist with strengthening gut health; check Thrive Market for gluten- and dairy-free probiotic options!
Bloating
Bloating can occur due to non-celiac gluten sensitivity when your body’s digestive system cannot properly digest FODMAPs found in wheat and other foods; these fermentable sugars cause gas build-up that causes discomfort when they accumulate in your digestive tract and lead to fermentation, leading to an inability to properly process them and lead to buildup in your system.
Symptoms may not improve until all gluten has passed through your system entirely, which could take from days to weeks depending on how much gluten was consumed and the quality of immune and digestive function.
An improved immune and digestive system will better respond to accidental gluten intake, with symptoms clearing more quickly. Consume anti-inflammatory foods like apples, kale and other fruits and veggies like apples to promote gut health and increase immune function. Check out Thrive Market where they offer hundreds of gluten-free products–including probiotics! They even offer a 30-day trial membership–so click here now and start shopping!
Inflammation
Gluten only stays in your digestive tract for a day or two; however, the inflammation that it triggers may linger longer; particularly if you suffer from leaky gut syndrome.
Leaky gut syndrome occurs when your intestinal walls become permeable, allowing bacteria and other substances to leak into your bloodstream and liver and lead to serious health complications ranging from diarrhea and joint pain to fatigue and headaches.
Though the exact cause of leaky gut is yet unknown, scientists believe wheat components may play a part. Gluten may also play a part in autoimmunity such as Hashimoto’s thyroid disease or celiac disease – making healing leaky gut relatively straightforward; just make sure you eat plenty of fiber-rich foods, get enough sleep, and take an Epsom salts bath for faster healing!
