Is There Gluten In Cigars?

[Argus17]

I'm questioning what's in the vegetable paste used to glue the wrapper leaf and caps. I did research today, and found conflicting info, so maybe one of the manufacturers can provide real facts.

I am extremely sensitive to gluten. Even though I eat very, very clean, I have attacks off and on, and am sometimes baffled at what could have caused it. Usually I feel calm and relaxed after a cigar, but sometimes very aggressive, and irritated, followed by deep depression, which is how I react to gluten. Yesterday I was fine, until right after a morning cigar, then a severe gluten reaction for the rest of the day. An additional cigar only seemed to make things worse, instead of calming and relaxing me as they usually do.

I'm starting to wonder if some manufacturers use flour in their paste. I'd really appreciate any hard facts. Thanks.

 

[YodisMatt]

Sorry to hear brother, there was a thread that went on sometime last year where this was brought up. It all depends on if a company is using the vegetable glue or fruit glue.

Check the thread here, their might be good info in there that I can't total recall or skimmed past.

 

[Argus17]

Sorry to hear brother, there was a thread that went on sometime last year where this was brought up. It all depends on if a company is using the vegetable glue or fruit glue.

Check the thread here, their might be good info in there that I can't total recall or skimmed past.

Thanks bud, I appreciate the reply. Too bad that thread didn't really answer the question, but thank you anyway. I was kind of hoping that Steve or Ron would chime in here with some solid facts. Maybe they will.

 

[Sirspanksalot]

Have you sent em a pm, Argus? Might work better since sometimes threads get pushed down and people miss em

 

[dharbolt]

Sorry to hear that Dave. Never considered gluten in the glue, it is reasonable though. Hope you hey some good answers

 

[Jfire]

One other thing to consider. Maybe nicotine levels in certain cigars are acting on your stimulant/depressor (dopamine receptors) in adverse ways. Nicotine can be both a stimulant and depressor. Thus the immediate aggravation during/right after smoking. Then followed by a drop in glucose and dopamine levels later after smoking. (Depression) Just a theory that may be completely wrong. Try smoking smaller aged cigars. And maybe even half of a cigar.
Regards,
Justin

 

[Argus17]

One other thing to consider. Maybe nicotine levels in certain cigars are acting on your stimulant/depressor (dopamine receptors) in adverse ways. Nicotine can be both a stimulant and depressor. Thus the immediate aggravation during/right after smoking. Then followed by a drop in glucose and dopamine levels later after smoking. (Depression) Just a theory that may be completely wrong. Try smoking smaller aged cigars. And maybe even half of a cigar.
Regards,
Justin

Justin,
Thank you for the reply, but I don't think that is it. Most of what I smoke are medium to full. The cigar that seemed to cause problems was a Casa Torano, a very mild connie. I hadn't had one of his cigars in a while, so it made me wonder if Charlie was using flour in his glue. It could also have been a delayed reaction to something I ate that may have been cross contaminated at the store or packager. I've had several cigars since, including an LFD Air Bender, Dark Antanio, Camacho Triple Maddie, etc., without any ill effect. I guess I need to try another Casa Torano and note any reaction.

 

[Jfire]

Yeah maybe include cigars as part of a food diary if you already keep one. That way you can have a "no fly zone" on certain marcas for yourself.

 

[ssaka]

I have to admit this is a unique question as I have never been asked about this before.

As there various types of adhesives employed in handmade cigar manufacture, of which all to my knowledge are food based, I am not 100% certain all are 100% gluten free.

However that being said, the most common one is tragacanth which is legume based and is listed as one of the safe food items for those with Celiac disease. Almost all makers utilize this as it is the best.

Also keep in mind that most grain based adhesives are typically avoided as they are not known for their stickiness compared to others.

I know the fruit based pectins are gluten free, but there may be some vegetable based ones that are being employed that might contain gluten by some manufacturers so I can not say with 100% certainty that all handmade cigar are absolutely gluten free.

That being said, I think the amount would be negiligible and not an issue, but I am not a doctor nor do I suffer from gluten intolerance, so I really would have to defer to someone with more knowledge.

HOWEVER if you do suffer from extreme sensitivity to gluten, I suggest you approach cigars as you would any unknown food by sampling and paying attention to any adverse reaction before committing to continued consumption.

Fwiw, I know of a few heavy cigar user that suffer from Celiacs and none have ever commented to me about the cigars impacting them due to gluten.

So in summary, I know that the vast majority of handmade cigars are constructed with gluten free adhesives, but am unable to say with absolute certainty that all handmade cigars are gluten free.

BR,

STS

 

[Argus17]

I have to admit this is a unique question as I have never been asked about this before.

As there various types of adhesives employed in handmade cigar manufacture, of which all to my knowledge are food based, I am not 100% certain all are 100% gluten free.

However that being said, the most common one is tragacanth which is legume based and is listed as one of the safe food items for those with Celiac disease. Almost all makers utilize this as it is the best.

Also keep in mind that most grain based adhesives are typically avoided as they are not known for their stickiness compared to others.

I know the fruit based pectins are gluten free, but there may be some vegetable based ones that are being employed that might contain gluten by some manufacturers so I can not say with 100% certainty that all handmade cigar are absolutely gluten free.

That being said, I think the amount would be negiligible and not an issue, but I am not a doctor nor do I suffer from gluten intolerance, so I really would have to defer to someone with more knowledge.

HOWEVER if you do suffer from extreme sensitivity to gluten, I suggest you approach cigars as you would any unknown food by sampling and paying attention to any adverse reaction before committing to continued consumption.

Fwiw, I know of a few heavy cigar user that suffer from Celiacs and none have ever commented to me about the cigars impacting them due to gluten.

So in summary, I know that the vast majority of handmade cigars are constructed with gluten free adhesives, but am unable to say with absolute certainty that all handmade cigars are gluten free.

BR,

STS

Steve,
Thank you so much for your reply. As always, it was extremely informative, and I am grateful that you took the time to answer my concerns. In addition to gluten, I am somewhat sensitive to legumes (peanuts, soy, chickpeas), so the use of tragacanth is not good news. I wonder if anyone with an extreme peanut allergy ever reacted to it?

I guess it's time to keep a cigar journal as you and Justin recommended. If I keep getting reactions after a particular cigar, I'll just have to eliminate it from my rotation.

BTW, today I had another Casa Torano from the same 5 pack, and had no reaction at all. Maybe this one had less adhesive, or my first reaction was due to cross contaminated food, instead. Thanks again.

 

[Argus17]

Yeah maybe include cigars as part of a food diary if you already keep one. That way you can have a "no fly zone" on certain marcas for yourself.

Thanks, Justin. Good suggestion.

 

[ssaka]

Steve,
Thank you so much for your reply. As always, it was extremely informative, and I am grateful that you took the time to answer my concerns. In addition to gluten, I am somewhat sensitive to legumes (peanuts, soy, chickpeas), so the use of tragacanth is not good news. I wonder if anyone with an extreme peanut allergy ever reacted to it?

I guess it's time to keep a cigar journal as you and Justin recommended. If I keep getting reactions after a particular cigar, I'll just have to eliminate it from my rotation.

BTW, today I had another Casa Torano from the same 5 pack, and had no reaction at all. Maybe this one had less adhesive, or my first reaction was due to cross contaminated food, instead. Thanks again.

Thanks, I try, but ain't that a pisser?

The legume thing I mean, here I am thinking I am helping on the gluten front only to be telling you there might be another totally unsuspected issue… oh vey!

Fwiw, although in the legume family, tragacanth's botanical origin is actually locoweed aka "goat's thorn", a kind of a flowering shrub. Why this plant is regarded as a legume I have no clue, but heck I didn't event know a coconut wasn't a nut until I saw it on a Jeporady rerun last month, so I am certainly no botanist.

Now if you tell me you have a severe allergy to locoweed, I am going to cry uncle… ;>

Hope this helps,

STS