New Pill May Make Gluten Safe for Gluten-Free Diners

There's good news for those who adhere to a gluten-free diet.

A new pill may help gluten-free diners enjoy foods like pizza, pasta and others that contain gluten that they normally avoid at social gatherings.

Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a pill made from egg yolk antibodies that helps coat gluten. It allows the gluten to pass from the body without doing any damage, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) reported.

"My friend is celiac. We haven't had any entertaining with beers. So that's why I developed this pill – for my friend," Hoon Sunwoo, an associated professor of pharmaceutical sciences at UAlberta, told the CBC.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder. Ingestion of gluten causes damage to the small intestine. It's estimated to affect 1 in 100 people worldwide.

Celiac suffers would take Sunwoo's pill five minutes before eating and have a one-to-two hour window of eating foods they normally would avoid.

The pill, however, is not a long-term solution, nor is it a cure for the disease. It's just an aid to help improve quality of life.

"This is not treating the celiac disease or curing celiac disease. It's just to try to help them improve their quality of life so when they want to they can socialize with peers or friends," he said.

Clinical trials with the pill are expected to begin in 2016, CBC reported.