Overview
- The peer-reviewed Gastroenterology study, released Wednesday, measured gluten in saliva after open-mouth kissing in 10 couples where one partner had celiac disease.
- In 90% of samples, gluten levels in the celiac partner’s saliva stayed below 20 parts per million, the limit used to label foods gluten-free.
- Only two of 20 kissing exposures topped that 20 ppm threshold, and participants reported no symptoms after the tests.
- Having the non-celiac partner drink about 4 ounces of water after eating gluten removed all samples above 20 ppm, and 60% then showed no detectable gluten below 5 ppm.
- The American Gastroenterological Association said the findings can inform counseling, though the small sample means larger studies are needed before guidance broadens.