Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsGI SymptomsWhat Causes It?Finding ReliefGut Health

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

GI Symptoms

What Causes It?

Finding Relief

Gut Health

You may have heard of “gluten belly,” a symptom that some people withceliac diseaseorgluten intoleranceexperience after consuming gluten.

Gluten belly comes with stomach swelling,bloating, abdominal pain, and gas, among other symptoms. It is believed to be an immune and/or inflammatory reaction to gluten.

In this article, learn more about gluten belly and how to get relief.

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Unrecognizable woman with hands on belly, appearing in pain.

Gluten Belly: Effect on GI Symptoms

“Gluten belly” is not a recognized medical term. However, it is a phrase that many people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance use to describe their uncomfortable reactions after eating gluten. As such, one person’s gluten belly could be different from another person’s.

Generally, a person who says they have gluten belly means that they have bloating and other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms.

Other GI symptoms of gluten belly include:

If you have celiac or gluten intolerance, you may experience one or all of the symptoms above after you eat gluten. There are over 200 symptoms associated with celiac disease, and they are not all GI-related.

Celiac vs. Gluten IntoleranceCeliac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the small intestine’s lining when a person with this disease consumes any amount of gluten.It is a hereditary disease diagnosed based on blood tests and endoscopy.Gluten intolerance (also callednon-celiac gluten sensitivity) is less understood. Someone may be diagnosed with gluten intolerance if they have all of the symptoms of celiac disease but none of the biological markers, yet their symptoms improve on a gluten-free diet.

Celiac vs. Gluten Intolerance

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the small intestine’s lining when a person with this disease consumes any amount of gluten.It is a hereditary disease diagnosed based on blood tests and endoscopy.Gluten intolerance (also callednon-celiac gluten sensitivity) is less understood. Someone may be diagnosed with gluten intolerance if they have all of the symptoms of celiac disease but none of the biological markers, yet their symptoms improve on a gluten-free diet.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition in which the body attacks the small intestine’s lining when a person with this disease consumes any amount of gluten.It is a hereditary disease diagnosed based on blood tests and endoscopy.

Gluten intolerance (also callednon-celiac gluten sensitivity) is less understood. Someone may be diagnosed with gluten intolerance if they have all of the symptoms of celiac disease but none of the biological markers, yet their symptoms improve on a gluten-free diet.

Can Celiac and Gluten Sensitivity Cause Gluten Belly?

People with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity can experience gluten belly. With celiac disease, the immune system attacks the small intestine because it mistakenly sees the gluten protein as an invader. Thisautoimmune responsecauses inflammation in the intestines, leading to bloating, distention, and other symptoms.

Gluten Belly and Body FatGluten is not associated with weight gain. One of the symptoms of celiac disease is weight loss because the damage done to the small intestine can lead to malnutrition.When someone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance consumes gluten, they may experience extreme bloating or abdominal distension. This is temporary and not the same as belly fat.

Gluten Belly and Body Fat

Gluten is not associated with weight gain. One of the symptoms of celiac disease is weight loss because the damage done to the small intestine can lead to malnutrition.When someone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance consumes gluten, they may experience extreme bloating or abdominal distension. This is temporary and not the same as belly fat.

How to Calm Down a Tight Gluten Belly

If you have celiac disease or a gluten intolerance andaccidentally consume gluten, the first thing to do is forgive yourself. It is very challenging to live with a gluten-free diet, and mistakes can happen.

There are limited ways to speed up your recovery; however, there are some things that may ease symptoms and help you cope with your gluten belly while it lasts.

Time

It may not be the answer you want to hear, but time is the number one factor for healing from gluten exposure. It takes time for your body to mount an immune response and for the inflammatory processes to play out.

When someone is diagnosed with celiac disease, it takes anywhere from three months to two years for theirsmall intestine to healfrom the damage.A single gluten exposure does not cause as much damage, but healing will still take time.

Unfortunately, waiting will not be comfortable, which is why the options below may make this period easier to bear.

Drink Lots of Water

It is crucial tohydrateif you have had gluten and are experiencing a gluten belly. Try to drink at least 64 ounces of fluid per day.This can help flush food through your intestines and rehydrate you if you’ve had diarrhea or vomiting.

Peppermint

Rest

Give yourself plenty of time to rest and recover if you are experiencing gluten belly. Be sure to get enoughsleep. Try not to overexert or stress yourself or immediately go into situations that might put you at risk of “being glutened” (experiencing gluten exposure) again.

Ginger

Gingercan relieve bloating, gas, and nausea. It may also have anti-inflammatory benefits.You may find that drinking ginger tea, eating ginger candies, or eating pickled ginger may help you feel better.

Heat

If your gluten belly includes any amount of abdominal pain, then you might want to try an electricheating pador microwavable heating bag for relief.

Gut Health With Gluten Belly

Having gluten belly may be a sign that you accidentally consumed gluten while on a gluten-free diet when you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Just do your best and try to avoid gluten exposure in the future.

Remember that there are other causes for bloating beyond eating gluten. If you are sticking to a gluten-free diet but still experiencing bloating and other painful GI symptoms, talk to a healthcare provider.

Summary

“Gluten belly” is a term that people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance use to describe the sensations they experience after accidentally eating gluten. This includes bloating, swelling, pain, gas, nausea, and diarrhea. The best remedy for gluten belly is time. However, hydrating, resting, consuming peppermint or ginger, or using a heating pad can help you find momentary relief.

12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Arthritis Foundation.The connection between gluten and arthritis.Iovino P, Bucci C, Tremolaterra F, Santonicola A, Chiarioni G.Bloating and functional gastro-intestinal disorders: Where are we and where are we going?.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(39):14407-14419. doi:10.3748%2Fwjg.v20.i39.14407Wilkinson JM, Cozine EW, Loftus CG.Gas, bloating, and belching: approach to evaluation and management.afp. 2019;99(5):301-309. PMID: 30811160Celiac Disease Foundation.Symptoms of celiac disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Celiac disease.Cárdenas-Torres FI, Cabrera-Chávez F, Figueroa-Salcido OG, Ontiveros N.Non-celiac gluten sensitivity: an update.Medicina (Kaunas). 2021;57(6):526. doi:10.3390%2Fmedicina57060526Sharma N, Bhatia S, Chunduri V, et al.Pathogenesis of celiac disease and other gluten related disorders in wheat and strategies for mitigating them.Front Nutr. 2020;7:6. doi: 10.3389%2Ffnut.2020.00006Dieterich W, Zopf Y.Gluten and FODMAPs—sense of a restriction/when is restriction necessary?.Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1957. doi:10.3390%2Fnu11081957Johns Hopkins Medicine.Celiac disease.National Celiac Association.What to eat after being glutened.Chumpitazi BP, Kearns G, Shulman RJ.Review article: the physiologic effects and safety of Peppermint Oil and its efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018;47(6):738-752. doi:10.1111%2Fapt.14519Johns Hopkins Medicine.Ginger benefits.

12 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Arthritis Foundation.The connection between gluten and arthritis.Iovino P, Bucci C, Tremolaterra F, Santonicola A, Chiarioni G.Bloating and functional gastro-intestinal disorders: Where are we and where are we going?.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(39):14407-14419. doi:10.3748%2Fwjg.v20.i39.14407Wilkinson JM, Cozine EW, Loftus CG.Gas, bloating, and belching: approach to evaluation and management.afp. 2019;99(5):301-309. PMID: 30811160Celiac Disease Foundation.Symptoms of celiac disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Celiac disease.Cárdenas-Torres FI, Cabrera-Chávez F, Figueroa-Salcido OG, Ontiveros N.Non-celiac gluten sensitivity: an update.Medicina (Kaunas). 2021;57(6):526. doi:10.3390%2Fmedicina57060526Sharma N, Bhatia S, Chunduri V, et al.Pathogenesis of celiac disease and other gluten related disorders in wheat and strategies for mitigating them.Front Nutr. 2020;7:6. doi: 10.3389%2Ffnut.2020.00006Dieterich W, Zopf Y.Gluten and FODMAPs—sense of a restriction/when is restriction necessary?.Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1957. doi:10.3390%2Fnu11081957Johns Hopkins Medicine.Celiac disease.National Celiac Association.What to eat after being glutened.Chumpitazi BP, Kearns G, Shulman RJ.Review article: the physiologic effects and safety of Peppermint Oil and its efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018;47(6):738-752. doi:10.1111%2Fapt.14519Johns Hopkins Medicine.Ginger benefits.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Arthritis Foundation.The connection between gluten and arthritis.Iovino P, Bucci C, Tremolaterra F, Santonicola A, Chiarioni G.Bloating and functional gastro-intestinal disorders: Where are we and where are we going?.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(39):14407-14419. doi:10.3748%2Fwjg.v20.i39.14407Wilkinson JM, Cozine EW, Loftus CG.Gas, bloating, and belching: approach to evaluation and management.afp. 2019;99(5):301-309. PMID: 30811160Celiac Disease Foundation.Symptoms of celiac disease.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Celiac disease.Cárdenas-Torres FI, Cabrera-Chávez F, Figueroa-Salcido OG, Ontiveros N.Non-celiac gluten sensitivity: an update.Medicina (Kaunas). 2021;57(6):526. doi:10.3390%2Fmedicina57060526Sharma N, Bhatia S, Chunduri V, et al.Pathogenesis of celiac disease and other gluten related disorders in wheat and strategies for mitigating them.Front Nutr. 2020;7:6. doi: 10.3389%2Ffnut.2020.00006Dieterich W, Zopf Y.Gluten and FODMAPs—sense of a restriction/when is restriction necessary?.Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1957. doi:10.3390%2Fnu11081957Johns Hopkins Medicine.Celiac disease.National Celiac Association.What to eat after being glutened.Chumpitazi BP, Kearns G, Shulman RJ.Review article: the physiologic effects and safety of Peppermint Oil and its efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018;47(6):738-752. doi:10.1111%2Fapt.14519Johns Hopkins Medicine.Ginger benefits.

Arthritis Foundation.The connection between gluten and arthritis.

Iovino P, Bucci C, Tremolaterra F, Santonicola A, Chiarioni G.Bloating and functional gastro-intestinal disorders: Where are we and where are we going?.World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(39):14407-14419. doi:10.3748%2Fwjg.v20.i39.14407

Wilkinson JM, Cozine EW, Loftus CG.Gas, bloating, and belching: approach to evaluation and management.afp. 2019;99(5):301-309. PMID: 30811160

Celiac Disease Foundation.Symptoms of celiac disease.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Celiac disease.

Cárdenas-Torres FI, Cabrera-Chávez F, Figueroa-Salcido OG, Ontiveros N.Non-celiac gluten sensitivity: an update.Medicina (Kaunas). 2021;57(6):526. doi:10.3390%2Fmedicina57060526

Sharma N, Bhatia S, Chunduri V, et al.Pathogenesis of celiac disease and other gluten related disorders in wheat and strategies for mitigating them.Front Nutr. 2020;7:6. doi: 10.3389%2Ffnut.2020.00006

Dieterich W, Zopf Y.Gluten and FODMAPs—sense of a restriction/when is restriction necessary?.Nutrients. 2019;11(8):1957. doi:10.3390%2Fnu11081957

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Celiac disease.

National Celiac Association.What to eat after being glutened.

Chumpitazi BP, Kearns G, Shulman RJ.Review article: the physiologic effects and safety of Peppermint Oil and its efficacy in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018;47(6):738-752. doi:10.1111%2Fapt.14519

Johns Hopkins Medicine.Ginger benefits.

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