Substance that affects coeliacs (6) Crossword Clue
Answer: GLUTEN (6 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Substance that affects coeliacs" with 6 letters is "GLUTEN".Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that can cause adverse reactions in people with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. For those with celiac disease, avoiding gluten is essential to prevent symptoms and long-term health issues.
Why “Gluten” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (6 letters) meaning “substance that affects coeliacs.” The answer, GLUTEN, fits exactly:
- Substance that affects coeliacs: Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye that triggers adverse reactions in people with coeliac disease.
- Direct match: With 6 letters, gluten perfectly matches the clue’s enumeration.
- Precise definition: It directly names the dietary component responsible for the difficulties faced by coeliacs, making it the exact solution.
Gluten is central in both food science and health discussions:
- Origin and usage: From the Latin word gluten (“glue”), reflecting its sticky quality in dough.
- Role in food: Gluten gives elasticity to bread dough and helps it rise, but it must be completely avoided by those with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity.
- Examples: “The bakery offers gluten-free bread for coeliac customers,” or “Gluten provides the chewy texture in pasta.”
Quick crossword clues like “substance that affects coeliacs (6)” are straightforward medical/dietary knowledge tests:
- Alternatives like wheat (5) or grain (5) may occur to solvers but don’t specifically identify the protein that causes the issue.
- The 6-letter enumeration points directly to gluten, which coeliacs must exclude from their diet.
- With its medical significance and everyday usage, gluten is the correct and unambiguous answer.
