Is Mutant Gluten Free?

The Ingredient Breakdown

As a food scientist, I look past the marketing claims and go straight to the formulation. The Carbohydrate Blend in Mutant is where the trouble lies. It includes maltodextrin (usually corn-based but can be wheat), waxy maize, and sweet potato. However, the dealbreaker is barley starch. Barley is one of the primary gluten-containing grains, and its starch is derived directly from the grain, meaning it contains gluten.

Furthermore, the inclusion of rolled oats raises a red flag for purity. While oats are naturally gluten-free, they are almost always processed on the same equipment as wheat, barley, and rye. Unless the oats are certified gluten-free (which is not stated here), they are likely cross-contaminated. Even if the oats were pure, the barley starch alone makes the product unsafe.

It is also worth noting the Enzyme Blend includes cellulase. While this helps digestion, it does not neutralize the gluten proteins (gliadin and glutenin) found in the barley or potential wheat contaminants. Therefore, the product remains strictly off-limits for those avoiding gluten.

Nutritional Value

Mutant is designed as a mass gainer, meaning the priority is caloric density. A standard serving provides a massive influx of carbohydrates and protein. The Carbohydrate Blend is roughly 100g per serving, which is excellent for athletes looking to replenish glycogen stores, but it is a significant amount of sugar and starch for someone watching their blood sugar.

The Lipid Food Blend is actually quite impressive from a nutritional standpoint. It utilizes high-quality fats like avocado oil, coconut oil, and MCTs. This is a superior profile compared to the cheap soybean oils found in many competitors. However, the total fat content remains high, which is expected for a mass gainer but must be accounted for in a daily diet plan.