Gluten Free Chocolate

A few years ago it was difficult if you belonged to a smaller diet niche.  The worst niches were the intolerant niches because you were forced to eat a certain diet with no choice in the matter.  Recently, food companies have been creating versions of their products to cater to limited diets.  Gluten-free diets have become one of the most popular diets that food companies are trying to cater to.   gluten free chocolate and salt

Gluten-free diets have become more popular in the recent years.  One reason is the prevalence of celiac disease.  Celiac is a autoimmune disorder that affects the lower intestine. It is a reaction to gliadin, a gluten protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.  Proteins react to the gliadan and cause and inflammation in the lower intestine.  The inflammation leads to a truncating of the intestinal lining and prevents the intestinal villi from absorbing nutrients properly.  Researchers estimate that celiac affects 1 in 105 people in the United States.  A gluten-free diet is the only treatment for people with Celiac.  People can also have allergies to wheat gluten without having celiac disease.

gluten free chocolate and salt
Gluten-free diets have been gaining popularity in recent years for people without a medical need to avoid gluten.  Gluten-free products are easier for the body to digest and consumption can aid in weight loss.   


With the increased awareness of gluten intolerances and the gaining popularity of a gluten-free or low-gluten diet, some food companies have switched to gluten-free ingredients.  Cross-contamination with products containing gluten is an important issue that food companies are more carefully addressing to ensure that no one with a gluten intolerance or anyone trying to avoid the protein unknowingly digests gluten. 

Chocolate is naturally gluten free; however, added ingredients and cross-contamination can add gluten to the product.  Unless a company states that their products are gluten-free, there is no guarantee.  However, taking the time to mark products and ensure that no cross-contamination occurs to cater to the growing demand for gluten-free products. 

Oh, and by the way, Sulpice Chocolat bars ARE gluten-free chocolate and every precaution is taken to ensure that gluten never touches our products.