Oral Processing Behavior of Gluten-free and Gluten-containing Breads

To attend the increasing demand for gluten-free products, new gluten-free formulations emerged in the market containing alternative ingredients to mimic the protein functionality of wheat. The replacement of wheat, however, has consequences in the sensorial properties of gluten-free products, which can compromise the acceptability of products. This study aims to investigate the oral processing behaviour of gluten-free and gluten-containing breads. Two commercial products, one gluten-free and one gluten-containing bread will be tested either without spread or with butter or mayonnaise. Spreads will be added to the breads to resemble a sandwich consumption which is a more realistic approach than that previously used. The investigators hypothesize that changes in the structure of gluten-free breads resulting from the absence of a strong gluten network can have a prominent impact on the way gluten-free bread is orally processed. The investigators also hypothesize that the addition of spreads will facilitate the oral processing of bread due to an increase in moisture content and lubrication. The number of chews, number of swallows and eating duration will be determined through video recording of 20 subjects. The texture attributes predominantly at the beginning of mastication and at the swallowing point will be accessed using a check-all-that-apply test. Additionally, the amount of saliva incorporated during chewing will be determined from the spat out food bolus.