<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

In a previous post I made a comment about vinegar, which
seems to have caused some misunderstanding.  I said that
my husband understands now why I react to it.  I did not mean
to say that I react to all vinegars.  I also didn't mean to say
that vinegar contains gluten.

However, the vinegars that are made from gluten grains do
cause me, and many other celiacs to have a celiac type of
response.  However, "scientifically speaking" there should be
no gluten in vinegar, even those made from wheat.

Again, I better explain "celiac-type response".  I am not talking
about intestinal damage which, in my understanding, is only
discernable over time.  I am talking about an immediate immune
system response causing digestive symptoms and in my case,
severe weakness.  Others on this list have mentioned vomiting,
muscle aches, etc. as symptoms they encounter after accidental
ingestion of gluten.

Someone suggested to me privately, that my post and others like
it are leading people to believe that they will sustain intestinal
damage if they eat vinegar.  The same guy also seems to consider
intestinal damage to be the only true celiac symptom. (Since it
is the one common to us all.)  I do not mean to say that vinegar
causes intestinal damage, just that it MAY cause some of the
other symptoms.  (I honestly don't know about intestinal damage).

I think the celiac FAQ's for this list say that some celiacs have
trouble with vinegar, and some don't.  And they recommend avoiding
vinegar only if you react to it.  (Hopefully I remember correctly!)  This
would be my suggestion as well.

Last of all, to answer a recent question, apple cider vinegar and
wine vinegar should be safe for anyone.

I hope this helps clear things up for someone.  Thanks to those
who sent me encouraging responses to my biopsy post!

Janet
Olympia, WA