Beer's Dirty Secret: Avoid This Ingredient In Your Brew

Beer is a popular alcoholic beverage that is enjoyed by many people worldwide. However, it is important to be aware that beer contains various ingredients that can potentially trigger adverse reactions in some individuals. While true allergies to beer are rare, many people may experience sensitivities or intolerances to specific components in beer, such as grains, hops, yeast, or additives like sulphites and sodium benzoate. These reactions can range from mild digestive issues to more severe symptoms like anaphylaxis. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the potential risks associated with consuming beer and its ingredients to make informed choices and ensure a safe and enjoyable drinking experience.

Gluten

Even if you don't have celiac disease, you may have non-celiac gluten sensitivity, which can cause similar symptoms. For those with gluten sensitivities or allergies, consuming gluten can lead to discomfort, bloating, digestive issues, fatigue, inflammation, and other adverse reactions.

Fortunately, there are now several options for gluten-free and gluten-reduced beers. Gluten-free beers are made with alternative carbohydrate sources that don't contain gluten, such as buckwheat, rice, corn, millet, or sorghum. Gluten-reduced beers, on the other hand, start with a typical brewing process but later add an enzyme that breaks down the gluten. However, even these gluten-reduced beers may not be safe for people with celiac disease, as small amounts of gluten may still be present.

If you suspect you have an allergy or sensitivity to gluten or any other ingredient in beer, it is best to consult a doctor or healthcare professional for advice. They can help you determine the cause of your symptoms and provide guidance on which types of beverages to choose or avoid.

Hops

However, hops are not the only ingredient that can be used in beer. In fact, beer without hops is still technically beer, and many brewing companies produce hop-free beers for those who are allergic to hops or prefer less bitterness in their drink. These beers are often referred to as gruits, a historical category of beers that isn't very common anymore, although some brewers are reviving this style. Gruits date back to the Middle Ages, before brewers figured out how to domesticate hops and use them for brewing. Instead of hops, brewers flavoured and bittered their beers with blends of botanicals, from bog myrtle to yarrow to wild rosemary.

Nowadays, a hopless beer is hard to come by in grocery stores and the majority of breweries, but some modern brewers in mainland USA and Europe are revisiting these ancient brewing methods, creating beers that offer complex, intriguing flavour profiles. For example, Scratch Brewing Company's Spring Tonic is a gruit that uses botanicals instead of hops, and Samuel Adams Double Bock is a hopless beer made with several herbs and spices such as bay leaves, coriander, and black tea.

Yeast

However, it is possible to be allergic or intolerant to yeast, and this can result in a multitude of unpleasant symptoms. Yeast allergies can affect the entire body and create skin problems, mood changes, gastrointestinal issues, and whole-body pain. Those with celiac disease are also prohibited by doctors from consuming yeast.

If you are intolerant or allergic to yeast, there are some beers that are created without it. Lambic beers, for example, are made without adding any carefully cultivated brewer's yeast. Instead, the wort is left open to the air during the brewing stage, allowing wild yeasts and bacteria from the air to find their way into the wort and initiate spontaneous fermentation. However, it is important to note that lambic beers are still made with yeast, and it is difficult to find them in stores or supermarkets due to their limited production.

Additionally, some beers undergo special filtering processes to remove yeast from the final product. Popular beers such as Budweiser, Stella Artois, Heineken, Carling, and Guinness are brewed with yeast but then filtered to remove traceable amounts of yeast. These beers are highly unlikely to have any yeast left in the final product due to their extensive filtering and clarification processes.

In summary, while yeast is essential to the beer-making process, there are options available for those who are intolerant or allergic to it. Lambic beers are created without added yeast, and some popular beers undergo filtration to remove yeast, providing alternatives for those with yeast sensitivities.

Sugar

Why You Shouldn't Drink Beer with Sugar

Beer is a beloved beverage for many, but it's important to be mindful of its sugar content, especially if you're monitoring your health. Here's why you should avoid drinking beer with high sugar content:

The Impact on Blood Sugar Levels

One of the primary reasons to avoid sugary beer is its effect on your blood sugar levels. Beer contains carbohydrates that are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, leading to increased glucose levels. This can be particularly concerning for individuals with diabetes, as it can increase the risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose levels. The symptoms of hypoglycemia range from mild, such as fatigue and sweating, to severe, including seizures and loss of consciousness. Therefore, it's crucial to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels if you choose to consume beer.

Weight Gain and Calorie Concerns

Interference with Diabetes Medications

If you have diabetes, consuming beer with sugar can interfere with your medications. Alcohol may reduce the effectiveness of hypoglycemic medications, creating a dangerous situation for diabetes management. Therefore, it is essential to consult your doctor and carefully monitor your blood sugar levels if you choose to drink beer while taking diabetes medications.

The Link Between Sugar and Alcohol Content

It's important to understand the link between sugar and alcohol content in beer. High gravity beers, which start with a wort rich in sugars, tend to have higher alcohol content and a sweeter taste. On the other hand, low gravity beers have lower sugar and alcohol content, resulting in a lighter and more refreshing beverage. Therefore, opting for low gravity or light beers can be a healthier choice if you want to avoid the negative effects of sugary beer.

Unexpected Spikes and Dips in Blood Sugar

Non-alcoholic beers are an unexpected source of high sugar content. Without the fermentation process to convert sugars into alcohol, these beers can have significantly more sugar than their alcoholic counterparts. This can lead to unexpected spikes in blood sugar levels, followed by subsequent low blood sugar levels, which is especially concerning for individuals monitoring their blood sugar, such as those with diabetes.

In conclusion, while beer can be enjoyed in moderation, it's important to be mindful of its sugar content. Avoiding beer with high sugar content can help maintain stable blood sugar levels, prevent weight gain, and ensure the effectiveness of diabetes medications. Remember to always drink responsibly and consult your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.

Preservatives

Sulphites

Sulphite preservatives (E-numbers 220-228) such as sulphur dioxide (E220) are often added to beer to increase shelf life, reduce bacterial spoilage, and help reduce undesirable aromas, flavours, or colours produced during the fermentation process. However, some people prefer to avoid these additives as they can cause allergies and asthma.

Alcohol

Alcohol itself acts as a preservative, so beers with a higher alcohol content will have a longer lifespan and require fewer preservatives to inhibit microbial growth.

Pasteurisation

Beer can also be pasteurised after bottling to kill any bacteria, removing the need to add sulphites.

Hops

Hops act as both a preservative and a flavouring agent in beer.

Yeast

Yeast activity creates alcohol and acidity, which are natural preservatives.

Frequently asked questions