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6 types of people who should ‘never drink beer’
For many Aussies, beer is an essential part of their social and daily routine. Whether cracking open a cold one after a long day or enjoying a few glasses with mates on the weekend, beer plays a significant role in many people's lives.
But what many don't realise is that this popular alcoholic beverage isn't suitable for everyone – and it's not just those who don't enjoy the taste that should avoid it.
Here are six types of people who should ‘never drink beer’ according to a doctor:
1. People with a history of diabetes or prediabetes
When grabbing a beer from the fridge, one rarely ever considers its sugar content. While sugar isn't always a listed ingredient in beers, it is created naturally during the brewing process. And for those with diabetes or prediabetes, this is problematic. Beers can rapidly influence your blood sugar levels.
If you fall into this category and are looking for an alcoholic beverage that won't throw blood sugar levels off balance, wine could be the answer. Red wines have been shown to help with type 2 diabetes. However, even if you’re just drinking wine, remember, to still drink it responsibly. Increased alcohol consumption has been linked with an increased risk of developing diabetes later in life.
Enjoying a frothy might be fun socially, but is it impacting your health? Image Credit: Pexels
2. People who are trying to lose weight
Beer is loaded with 100 to 200 calories in every bottle.
Trading out the beer for a bottle of water can help keep those empty calories from turning into added weight.
3. People with known gluten sensitivity or a history of coeliac disease
If you or any of your loved ones have a history of coeliac disease, a disease that causes the body to react to ingested gluten, then you should avoid drinking conventional beer.
According to Dr Jonathon Kung, a gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai, ‘Beer often contains gluten, which can trigger an inflammatory response in the gut of many patients, resulting in gastrointestinal symptoms.’
Gluten-free alternatives are widely available nowadays. Since even our largest chain bottle shops are getting in on the trend, you should be able to find a tasty coeliac-friendly alternative without too much difficulty!
4. People with a history of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Drinking beer can cause bloating, gas, diarrhoea, and even abdominal pain in some people. Some individuals might be more sensitive than others!
According to Dr Kang, ‘Beer often irritates the gut wall or causes fluid retention in some patients.’
Many bars are becoming more inclusive of gluten-free and non-alcoholic drinks and beers. Image Credit: Pexels
5. People who have a history of chronic liver disease
Irreversible harm to one’s liver is a serious risk that everyone with a history of liver disease must be aware of. Alcohol, especially beer, is a common contributor to this.
According to Dr Kung, ‘When metabolised by an already-irritated liver (often in the setting of cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, or autoimmune disease), alcohol can further hasten damage to the liver parenchyma and ultimately result in a decline in liver function.’
6. People who experience known heartburn or GERD
Heartburn is primarily caused by excessive gastric acid; it's no coincidence that beer is high in both fat and acid content, which can exacerbate the problem of heartburn and GERD.
While knocking back a cold one can be a great way to unwind or socialise with friends, your health is always more important.
If you have concerns about whether drinking beer is safe for you, have a chat with your doctor. Our health changes over time and things that were once okay for us may no longer be.
This is in no way medical advice as we are not medical professionals. Always discuss your health and make informed decisions with a trusted medical professional.
