Along with being USDA certified organic and non-GMO, all Ancient Harvest products are gluten-free. But what exactly does that mean?
Gluten has become a hot topic of conversation lately, and many people are cutting back or avoiding it altogether – but they’re not exactly sure why, or even what gluten is. Let’s start with the what: Gluten is a major protein found in barley, rye and all forms of wheat (including faro, bulgur and spelt) that can cause serious problems for some people.
When people with celiac disease (an autoimmune disorder that affects an estimated 1 in 100 people*) eat gluten, the ingestion directly leads to damage in the small intestine – which in turn can trigger an array of harmful side effects. Common symptoms of celiac disease include digestive problems, stomach and abdominal pain, and anemia.
If gone undiagnosed and/or untreated, celiac disease can lead to long-term health conditions like early onset osteoporosis, infertility, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, lactose intolerance, gall bladder malfunction, neurological malfunctions, and even certain types of cancer.*
Celiac disease is genetic and currently, the only treatment is to avoid ingesting gluten altogether. Even the tiniest amount (like traces of flour or breadcrumbs left on a cutting board) can cause damage to the small intestine. This is why we at Ancient Harvest ensure that our products are all gluten-free; we want everyone to be able to enjoy the great taste of supergrain nutrition. When you see that teal box with the Ancient Harvest logo, you can be sure that the contents inside are gluten-free, no matter what. Quinoa, amaranth and millet – the ancient grains that comprise our family of products – are all naturally gluten-free, and therefore safe for people with celiac disease to eat on their own as well as in our products.
Learn more about the symptoms, conditions and popular myths of celiac disease at Celiac.org – and browse our wide variety of gluten-free products at AncientHarvest.com.
We also invite you to join us in celebrating Celiac Disease Awareness Month this May by entering your own original gluten-free recipe to win our Great Ancient Grains Recipe Contest on Facebook. Click here for more info.
*Source: The Celiac Disease Foundation
