Potato starch is a flour-like ingredient which comes from potatoes. For those on a gluten-free diet you might wonder, is potato starch gluten-free? Or maybe it’s one of those sneaky ingredients that can contain gluten?
To begin with, let’s explain what potato starch is. Potato starch (also known as potato flour) is made by crushing raw potatoes, cleaning them out and then leaving them to dry. Once the crushed potato is completely dried out, it creates a powdery substance, known as potato starch.
You can use our free Gluten-Free Product Checker to see if a product is in fact free from gluten.
Is potato starch naturally gluten-free?
The simple answer is, yes. Potato starch is naturally gluten-free. In fact, it’s one of the best gluten-free flours out there. It’s light in texture and is perfect for baking and thickening sauces. Potato starch is a good flour to use when making gluten-free doughs and batters. It’s also a good flour for making gluten-free sauces and gravies. If you’re on a gluten-free diet and have never used potato starch before, then now is the time to start. It’s a good, versatile flour which will help you create a delicious gluten-free menu.
Is potato starch good for celiac disease?
Potato starch is great for those with celiac disease because it’s a natural, gluten-free flour. Making it a great alternative to wheat flour and other gluten-based flour.
As you may already know, Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease where your body is attacking and destroying the lining of your small intestine. This causes the villi, which are small finger-like protrusions on the surface of the intestine, to deteriorate. This means that your body can’t absorb nutrients and vitamins, and you’ll end up with malnutrition.
While potato starch is naturally gluten-free, it’s not always 100% safe for those with celiac disease. Some types of potato starch are cross-contaminated with gluten-containing starches. This means that some of the starch is contaminated with gluten. If you have celiac disease, then it’s always best to check the ingredient labels for any mention of wheat or barley. Especially check the label when buying ready-made meals.
What starch is gluten-free?
The best gluten-free flours or starches include cornstarch, tapioca, and potato starch. Be careful of any starch that includes wheat, barley and rye, since these are common gluten-based starches. You should also be careful about modified starches. Modified starches can and are likely to include wheat or gluten of some sort.
Is potato starch inflammatory?
No. There are many studies that show that potato starch is great for reducing inflammation. Especially inflammation of the stomach and colon. Potato starch is considered a good bacteria, and because of this, it can reduce the risk of developing inflammatory problems inside the body. However, if you consume too much potato starch in your diet, there is a risk of bloating and gas in some people. Other than this, the risks of using or consuming too much potato starch are extremely minimal.
In summary, potato starch is most definitely gluten-free. Just be careful of modified starches which can contain some gluten.