What does gluten mean?

Answer 1

Gluten is a combined protein found in grains. Glutens from different grains have different properties, and they form the majority of protein in most grains. Proteins hold other things, like starch, together and are often used as binders and thickeners in food products. The gluten in wheat gives dough its toughness, and the higher the protein (gluten) content, the more "rubbery" the dough is.

When people use the term 'gluten' or 'gluten-free,' they are almost always referring to the glutens found in the grains wheat, barley, kamut, rye, spelt, and triticale, which contain a chemical different from other grains that causese an auto-immune reaction in people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Such people cannot ingest glutens from these grains without suffering an auto-immune response that damages their intestines and can lead to many sympotms, including internal bleeding and cancer of the intenstines.

There are also gluten or specific grain Allergies, which are different from intolerances.