A hand picks up a gluten free loaf of bread

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Gluten Quiz

Test your smarts on why so many people seem to be going gluten-free

Christina Ianzito and Michelle Crouch,

AARP

En español

Published May 07, 2021

8 Questions

ae7d662a-2e2d-4430-8cb4-8c6832a83aae

Gluten Quiz

[ {
 "question" : "What is gluten?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "A protein found in wheat, barley and rye",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "A carbohydrate found in wheat and some root vegetables",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "A starch found in all products made from wheat",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "A modern nutritional additive",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "It’s a protein that works as a binding agent — it holds bread together and helps it rise. It can cause an autoimmune reaction or digestive discomfort in some people.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "What is the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Gluten intolerance causes a more intense reaction to gluten than celiac disease",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Celiac disease is an autoimmune gluten reaction that harms the small intestine; gluten intolerance causes a reaction but no intestinal damage.",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Celiac disease and gluten intolerance are interchangeable terms for an inability to digest wheat-based products",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "None of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Celiac disease is diagnosed when there is damage to the hairlike structures called villi that help with nutrient absorption in the lining of the small intestine. Those with gluten intolerance often feel ill when they eat foods with gluten, but don’t have the same internal damage.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "What is a common symptom of celiac disease in adults?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Joint pain",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Anemia",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Fatigue",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "All of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Other symptoms include arthritis, migraine headaches and depression.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "About how many Americans are thought to have celiac disease?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "1 million",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "2 million",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "6 million",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "12 million",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "The estimate is from the National Institutes of Health.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "How is gluten intolerance or sensitivity diagnosed?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "A blood test",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Physical exam and endoscopy",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "All of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "None of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "A blood test can identify celiac disease, but there’s no diagnostic test for gluten sensitivity. To see if you have the disorder, your doctor will recommend eliminating wheat and gluten from your diet and seeing if your symptoms improve.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "True or false: A gluten-free diet is healthier for everyone.\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "True",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "False",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "There’s little evidence that a gluten-free diet offers any particular health benefits for those who don’t have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, the Mayo Clinic says. However, a gluten-free diet can be a healthy way to eat — depending on which foods you choose.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "What can be an unexpected source of gluten?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Medications and supplements",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Condiments",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Lip balm",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "All of the above",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Gluten may be used as a binder or filler in these products. If you have celiac disease, look for “gluten-free” labels, read the list of ingredients and contact manufacturers for information.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
}, {
 "question" : "What food listed below usually does NOT contain gluten?\n",
 "answers" : [ {
 "answer" : "Soy sauce",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Pickles",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 }, {
 "answer" : "Rice",
 "correctAnswer" : true
 }, {
 "answer" : "Hot dogs",
 "correctAnswer" : false
 } ],
 "multiSelect" : false,
 "explanation" : "Rice has no gluten. Hot dogs, soy sauce and pickles are all often made with gluten, though there are gluten-free versions of them all.\n",
 "hint" : "",
 "hintLink" : "",
 "questionImgCaption" : "",
 "questionImgCredit" : ""
} ]

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Gluten Quiz

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Christina Ianzito is the travel and books editor for aarp.org and AARP The Magazine, and also edits and writes health, entertainment and other stories for aarp.org. She received a 2020 Lowell Thomas Award for travel writing.

Michelle Crouch is a contributing writer who has covered health and personal finance for some of the nation’s top consumer publications. Her work has appeared in Reader’s Digest, Real Simple, Prevention, The Washington Post and The New York Times.