Hey readers! 👋
Happy New Year! We're kicking off 2026 with some exciting tech news from CES, fresh research on everything from brain health to pediatric screening, and a helpful reminder about why that gluten-free label matters. Plus, if you've ever wanted to test your food for gluten on the spot, you now have options. Let's dive in!
🔬 This Week's Research Highlights
This Little Device Can Detect Gluten and Other Common Allergens in Your Food - Allergen Alert, showcased at CES 2026, is a portable mini-lab that tests food samples for gluten and dairy in minutes using single-use pouches. – CNET
This Handheld Sensor Detects Gluten in Your Food, and You Can Buy It Now - The relaunched NIMA Gluten Sensor offers 99% accuracy, detecting gluten down to 10 ppm in just 2-3 minutes, and is now available for $220. – CNET
These portable testing devices represent a practical step forward for dining confidence. While neither replaces careful restaurant communication, having a backup option could ease some anxiety when eating out.
Poorer brain health in celiac disease and other gluten-related disorders is associated with a specific antibody triggered by gluten - A UK study found that persistent TG6 antibodies correlate with accelerated brain atrophy and worse neurological outcomes, suggesting TG6 testing could help monitor diet effectiveness. – Beyond Celiac
"Strictly following the gluten-free diet resulted in decreases in levels of TG6."
This finding reinforces what we already know about diet adherence, but adds a new dimension. For those experiencing neurological symptoms, asking about TG6 testing might be worth discussing with your care team.
Enterocyte proliferation as a new biomarker in potential coeliac disease - Researchers found that elevated enterocyte proliferation in potential celiac disease patients correlates with progression to villous atrophy, offering a possible monitoring tool. – Elsevier Ltd
Ultra-short celiac disease in children: histological and autoimmune features - This pediatric study shows that ultra-short celiac disease remains confined to the duodenal bulb but can still trigger systemic autoimmunity despite milder symptoms. – PubMed
👶 Pediatric Updates
Celiac Disease in Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome - A retrospective study found celiac disease in 8% of children with nephrotic syndrome, with 66% experiencing fewer relapses after starting a gluten-free diet. – PubMed
A comparative study of cognitive function among children with coeliac disease and healthy controls - Swiss researchers found that children with celiac disease have comparable quality of life and cognitive function to healthy peers, with some reporting better school comfort. – PubMed
"Children with CD in Switzerland have the same QOL as HC."
Good news for parents worried about long-term impacts. A well-managed gluten-free diet doesn't appear to hold kids back cognitively or socially.
Factors Associated with Adherence to a Gluten-Free Diet in Adolescents - Family support and self-care management practices strongly correlate with better diet adherence in teens, highlighting the importance of school nursing interventions. – PubMed
📊 Testing & Labeling News
Gluten Free Watchdog 2025 Summary Report - Testing revealed 92% of gluten-free labeled products fell below 5 ppm, though all six products exceeding limits contained oat ingredients. – Gluten Free Watchdog
The oat finding is worth noting. If you're particularly sensitive, certified purity protocol oats remain your safest bet.
Label Reading & the FDA - A helpful refresher on FDA gluten-free labeling rules, including why "wheat-free" doesn't mean gluten-free and what the 20 ppm threshold actually means. – Celiac Disease Foundation
Top 10 Reasons to Require Gluten Labeling - An advocacy piece arguing for mandatory gluten labeling as a major allergen, noting that 87 countries already require it. – Celiac Journey
🤖 AI & Technology
Can AI Be Trusted For Celiac Disease Education? - A study found Google's Gemini 2.0 performed best among AI chatbots for celiac information, though all models exceeded recommended reading levels and 13-24% of responses contained errors. – Celiac Disease Foundation
"Misinformation remains a challenge across all three AI models, with 13-24% of responses in this study containing errors."
The takeaway? AI can be a helpful starting point, but always verify with your healthcare team or trusted organizations.
✈️ Travel Resources
Gluten-free Travel Tips - Practical guidance on researching restaurants, packing snacks, and communicating dietary needs abroad. – NY Gastroenterology Associates
Restaurant Cards Archive - Free printable gluten-free dining cards available in 63 languages. – Celiac Travel
Celiac Travel Facebook Group - A 51,000+ member community focused exclusively on gluten-free travel discussions. – Facebook
📚 Quick Reads
Celiac Disease and Gluten Free in the News Jan 2026 - NCA's monthly roundup covers M cells' role in celiac inflammation, healthcare costs, and early-life antibiotic exposure risks. – National Celiac Association
Ask the Experts Dec 2025 - Dietitian Joanna Perl answers questions about gluten challenges, antibody tests, and IBS overlap. – National Celiac Association
Proteomics Analysis of Celiac Disease-Active Peptides - Research shows partially hydrolyzed gluten products like barley malt can still contain immunogenic peptides. – American Chemical Society
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Celiac Disease - Both celiac patients and controls show inadequate omega-3 intake, potentially contributing to inflammation. – AOCS
🔬 Clinical Trials Update
Celiac Disease Clinical Trials - Mayo Clinic - Mayo Clinic lists 19 ongoing trials exploring novel treatments including enzymes, antibodies, and small-molecule inhibitors. – Mayo Clinic
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