Brewers are increasingly offering alternatives that allow people who were previously advised against drinking beer, to be able to enjoy it. Alcohol-free beers obviously cover a wide range of situations for those people, but other varieties, such as gluten-free beer and even beer made from plants other than hops, such as gruit, increase the possibilities for people with coeliac disease, and people who suffer from gout.
Although unrelated to health, but more a case of personal choice, we can even find beer suitable for vegans, which is specifically stated by the certified stamp on the label. Some of the clarifying agents used in the brewing process are made from ingredients of animal origin, and although they are eventually separated out of the end product, vegans cannot drink these beers.
On the subject of diabetes that we are dealing with today, diabetics were traditionally advised to avoid or at least limit their beer consumption. This is due to several reasons, one of which is that the alcohol contained in beer can affect several processes in our bodies, which in the long-term can directly or indirectly lead to complications in diabetes.
People who take medication to treat their diabetes can run further risks, as the alcohol can interact with the treatment and reduce its effectiveness.
Drinking alcohol though also entails an intake of calories meaning we can put on more weight, which is not recommended for the general population, and even less so for diabetics.
Finally, we need to point out that some of the symptoms of drunkenness after drinking excessive amounts of alcohol can be confused with the symptoms of hypoglycaemia, thereby leading to a possible mix-up and making immediate response treatment much more difficult.
Therefore, due to the above reasons, and others, an obvious recommendation for diabetics would be to drink alcohol-free beer or low-alcohol beer, since they substantially reduce the intake of alcohol and calories per unit consumed. Drinking in moderation with meals, and following the guidelines for a healthy diet suitable for that ailment will further reduce possible risks.
Therefore, there is no definite incompatibility applicable to all cases regarding the drinking of beer and diabetes, but everyone needs to take their own specific situation into account. Consulting your doctor and strictly following medical instructions when deciding whether or not to drink beer is absolutely fundamental for diabetics.
Cheers!
