Study Finds Gluten Can Transfer Through Kissing, Usually at Trace Levels

Overview

• The peer-reviewed study in Gastroenterology, published Wednesday, measured gluten in saliva after open-mouth kisses between 10 couples in which one partner had celiac disease.
• Researchers had the non-celiac partner eat 10 Saltine crackers, then either wait five minutes before kissing or drink about 4 ounces of water first.
• In 90% of saliva samples gluten stayed below 20 parts per million, with only two of 20 above that level and with negligible total gluten.
• After the water step, no samples topped 20 ppm and about 60% showed no detectable gluten.
• The 20 ppm figure is the labeling limit used for gluten-free foods and served here as a reference, and the small first-of-its-kind study may ease dating worries yet still needs larger follow-up.