Gluten is a naturally occurring protein present in grains like wheat, barley, and rye. But for some people, eating gluten can wreak havoc in their gut, or disrupt their immune system. So, how long does gluten stay in your system?
Individuals without a gluten intolerance, wheat allergy, or celiac disease have a gluten transit time of up to 4 hours in the stomach, 6 hours in the small intestine, and 59 hours in the colon. Therefore, it takes 2-3 days for your system to eliminate gluten entirely. The transit time can be longer in a gluten-intolerant individual.
The article will elaborate on how long gluten takes to pass through your digestive system. Let’s dive in!
Key Takeaways
- Gluten has 40-50 hours (2 days) transit time.
- Gluten transit time depends on the amount of gluten consumed.
- Speed up gluten removal by consuming gluten-free fibrous foods and drinking lots of water.
What Is Gluten Intolerance?
Gluten intolerance is also known as non-celiac gluten sensitivity. The condition is present if the gut gets irritated by gluten intake. Foods with high gluten content cause illnesses in persons with gluten intolerance.
The causes of gluten intolerance are currently unclear. However, your body's response to gluten, amylase trypsin inhibitors, FODMAPs, or a mix of the three, appears among the possible causes.
Symptoms
Here are some of the symptoms you may experience if you are sensitive to gluten:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nagging stomach ache
- Chronic bloating
- Migraines
- Depression
- Headache
- Joint pain
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How Does the Body Digest Gluten?
The digestion process differs from one person to another. Usually, food can take 6-8 hours to pass through the stomach and the small intestine. Food passes through the large intestine, where undigested foods are eliminated. Food parts spend up to 40 hours in the colon.
Proteins are molecules comprising amino acids. Hence, the body digests proteins into small individual parts that small intestines can absorb. Gluten-sensitive persons or those with a celiac disease disorder develop antibodies that fight gluten and weaken the small intestine whenever consuming wheat. The small intestine is in charge of nutrient absorption, hence, the entire digestive process is disrupted once small intestines are injured.
Related: How Long After Eating Gluten Do Symptoms Start?
How Long Does Gluten Stay in Your System?
Gluten consumption can put your digestive system out of whack and your immune response in jeopardy. The period between the time you consume a meal and when it gets washed out of your system depends on your body’s transit time. Gluten-containing food can take 40-50 hours or two days to be flushed from your system.
Typically, gluten transit time is as follows:
- 4 hours in the stomach
- 6 hours in the small intestine
- 59 hours in the colon
The gluten transit time increases for persons with celiac disease, gluten intolerance, and wheat allergy. The increase is a result of damaged small bowel malabsorption.
Factors Affecting the Timing of Gluten Digestion
Amount of Gluten Consumed
The more gluten in your system, the longer it takes to digest it. It could take longer to process and eliminate gluten from your system if you have a higher gluten intake.
Individual Differences in Digestion
Generally, gluten is a complex protein for the human to digest. However, people with a gluten-sensitive system can experience a more prolonged breakdown.
Presence of Other Health Conditions
Individuals suffering from recurrent digestive conditions, such as celiac disease, can drastically disrupt and slow digestion; thus, taking longer for gluten to move through the system.
Related: What Candy Is Gluten-Free? The Complete Guide
How to Flush out Gluten From the Body
Maintaining an excellent digestive process and hastening the process is essential for recovery after consuming gluten. You can flush gluten out of your system quickly by:
- Drinking more water;
- Eating alkaline foods;
- Consuming fiber-rich foods;
- Exercising after eating;
- Taking digestive enzymes;
- Consuming many anti-inflammatory foods, such as apples, broccoli, mushrooms, and spinach.
How to Get Gluten out of Your System Faster
Water is imperative in keeping your digestive system functioning correctly. Ensure to hydrate yourself to enable your body to eliminate gluten and contaminants.
Natural digestive enzymes hasten digestion and expedite the passage of gluten through the body. After symptoms have subsided, increasing your probiotic intake will help your body rebuild the beneficial gut bacteria that gluten has destroyed.
Related: What Chips Are Gluten-Free? Make Your Own at Home
Effects of Gluten on the Body
Inflammation
Small intestines are hypersensitive to gluten. Hence, gluten triggers an immune response that causes gut inflammation.
Nutrient Deficiencies
You may encounter nutritional deficits if you have Celiac disease, which can result in anemia, loss of weight, or malnutrition. Lower iron intake occurs due to Celiac disease's impairment of nutritional absorption.
Autoimmune Reactions
Gluten increases your risk of developing autoimmune diseases, including autoimmune thyroid disease, anxiety, despair, and other ailments that affect life’s quality.
Neurological Symptoms
Neuropathic effects, such as numbness or tingling in your limbs and legs, are another symptom of gluten intolerance.
Treatment for Gluten Intolerance
The road to recovery from gluten exposure can be longer and harder; thus, consider the following treatments;
Gluten-free Diet
To soothe the digestive tract, consider eating anti-inflammatory foods like green juices and bone broths. Vegetables like kale, spinach, broccoli, and mushroom aids in building immunity and defenses against digestive system attacks.
Nutritional Supplements
Quality probiotics and other supplements can help you recover in a few hours, days, or weeks. Taking nutritional supplements helps guarantee you obtain the right amount of essential minerals needed for maintaining excellent health.
Medications
Taking digestive enzymes before eating can help break down gluten. Probiotics assist in boosting the beneficial microorganisms in your gut. These might lessen constipation, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and other signs and symptoms.
Related: What Has Gluten in It? A Guide for a Gluten-Free Diet
How Long Does Gluten Stay in Your System? FAQs
Q: How Long Does it Take for Gluten Antibodies to Appear Normal in a Blood Test?
A: Given the number of antibody levels present at the diagnosis stage, it may take up to two or three years for them to return to normal.
Q: How Long Does it Take for Gluten Antibodies to Disappear?
A: The symptoms will probably improve within a couple of days after stopping the consumption of gluten-containing foods. The small intestine should fully recover in three to six months, and the villi will resume functioning. If you are older, it can take up to two years to mend the body.
Q: How Long Does it Take for Gluten Bloat to Go Away?
A: Typically, non-celiac gluten sensitivity symptoms occur a few hours or days after consuming gluten but go away after resuming gluten-free eating. It's different in celiac disease as it lasts for a few hours, days, or weeks.
Q: How Long Does it Take to Feel the Effects of Gluten?
A:Symptoms often appear within one hour, although some effects can take up to 12 hours to appear.
Q: How Soon Will I Feel Better After Going Gluten-Free?
A: Generally, patients observe improvements after a month of adopting a gluten-free nutrition plan. After a few weeks, most people report feeling less pain, bloated, and dizzy. A gluten-free diet also enhances bone mass,well-being, and activity levels.
Q: How Can I Flush Gluten out of my System Fast?
A: Drinking lots of water helps your body remove gluten more quickly from your system. Water is one of the best options to ingest to help cleanse the digestive tract and keep it functioning at its best. Also, it can aid in moistening stools to facilitate easier passage and speed up excretion if you frequently experience constipation.
Q: Can Gluten Affect You Days Later?
A: Yes. Some symptoms only develop days after gluten consumption. The predicted reaction period varies; for instance, if you're highly gluten-intolerant, you can start feeling symptoms instantly. But frequently, symptoms don't appear for one to twelve hours following exposure.
Related: What Breads Are Gluten-free? A Detailed Guide
Conclusion
Gluten stays in your system for 2-3 days or longer for gluten-intolerant bodies. Your condition and the amount of gluten consumed also influence the transit time. Consider consuming fibrous foods and drinking more water to speed up gluten removal.
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