Beer ranks high among the list of most popular drinks enjoyed by consumers across the globe. It’s the third most popular beverage, following water and tea.

The alcoholic drink is usually made using water, hops, yeast and barley, a grain that contains the protein gluten. But what if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity? Can you still enjoy beer?

Understanding celiac disease and gluten sensitivity

Celiac disease is an immune disease and individuals with this condition can’t eat gluten because it causes damage their small intestine.

Gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, can also be found in other products like vitamins and supplements, lip balm, toothpaste and hair and skin products.

People experience the symptoms of celiac disease differently. Some may have symptoms that affect their digestive system or other parts of the body.

You may have diarrhea and abdominal pain, while someone else with celiac disease may be irritable or depressed. Irritability is one of the most common symptoms of children with the condition. However, others with celiac disease have no symptoms.

Celiac disease is a genetic condition. If you think you have the disease, consult a physician and ask about getting blood tests done. Your doctor may also need to test a small piece of tissue from your small intestine.

There is no treatment for celiac disease and it is best to follow a diet free of gluten to avoid the symptoms of this condition.

On the other hand, individuals with non-celiac wheat sensitivity experience symptoms similar to those of celiac disease. These symptoms are resolved when they eliminate gluten from their diet, but they don’t test positive for celiac disease.

Symptoms of non-celiac wheat sensitivity include:

• Abdominal pain
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)-like behavior
• Bloating
• Bone or joint pain
• Chronic fatigue
• Constipation
• Depression
• Diarrhea
• “Foggy mind”
• Headaches

The terms non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) and non-celiac wheat sensitivity (NCWS) are often used to refer to this condition. Until recently, people with NCGS/NCWS only experienced symptoms and did not experience any intestinal damage.

But in July 2016, scientists from Columbia University Irving Medical Center released a study confirming that wheat exposure in people with the condition triggers “a systemic immune reaction and accompanying intestinal cell damage.”

How beer is made

Brewing beer involves fermentation and it is made by fermenting sugar from grains using yeast, a living organism. The yeast then digests the sugar to produce alcohol.

Beer brewing often involves four main ingredients:

1. Water – Water makes up at least 90 percent of beer and it is considered the main ingredient.
2. Hops – Hops is a special flower traditionally added to give beer its distinctive bitter taste.
3. Grain – Grain is used as a source of sugar for fermentation and the most commonly used grains are barley, wheat and rye. All three grains contain gluten.
4. Yeast – Yeast is a live, single-celled organism that digests sugar to produce alcohol.

Some breweries may use other grains, flavorings, or additives to produce beer with unique colors, tastes and aromas. These other ingredients can also contain gluten.

Types of beer and their gluten content

If you have celiac disease, you may experience intestinal damage and other symptoms like diarrhea, poor absorption of nutrients, stomach pain or unexplained weight loss if you consume gluten. Anyone with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity must learn about the gluten content of their foods and beverages, and this includes alcoholic drinks like beer.

The amount of gluten in beer is measured in parts per million (ppm). In most countries, food and beverages should contain fewer than 20 ppm of gluten before it is categorized as gluten-free.

Unfortunately, a lot of conventionally brewed beer contains over 20 ppm of gluten. The exact amount varies depending on the brewing process and ingredients used to make the drink.

Detailed below is the average gluten content of four common types of beers:

• Wheat beer – 25,920 ppm
• Ales – 3,120 ppm
• Stout – 361 ppm
• Lager – 63 ppm

The most common types of beer contain levels of gluten that are unsafe to consume if you have celiac disease.

Gluten-free beer varieties

In America, Canada and several European countries, beer should have fewer than 20 ppm of gluten to be labeled gluten-free.

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), most people with celiac disease can consume this level of gluten without experiencing negative side effects.

To produce gluten-free beer and meet this standard, some breweries use naturally gluten-free grains like corn, millet, rice, or sorghum. Other breweries also have dedicated gluten-free facilities to prevent cross-contamination with gluten during the brewing process.

Finally, some breweries have developed techniques to reduce gluten in traditional, barley-based beer. These breweries then produce “gluten-removed beer.”

Note that there’s no guarantee that gluten-removed beer is safe to drink if you have celiac disease. While the beverage was processed to help reduce the gluten content, there is no reliable test to confirm the amount of gluten these products contain.

If you have celiac disease, always buy varieties labeled gluten-free to avoid adverse effects.

Finding gluten-free beer

Thankfully, people with celiac disease or NCGS/NCWS can enjoy alcohol since gluten-free beer is increasing in popularity.

Consult your local beer vendor if you’re looking for a selection of gluten-free beer. When buying products, check the packaging carefully.

Always look for phrases or symbols indicating the beverage is gluten-free and remember that labeling standards vary by country. If you’re not sure if a product contains gluten, contact the manufacturer directly, or choose a different variety with straightforward labeling to avoid adverse effects.

If you don’t want to risk it, opt for wine or distilled liquors since these beverages are usually gluten-free. Products may vary and regardless of the drink you choose, you need to check the label carefully.

Before consuming alcoholic beverages like beer, keep in mind that most beer contains gluten, especially if it’s traditionally brewed using grains with gluten such as barley, wheat, or rye.

Look for gluten-free options, such as varieties made using gluten-free grains. You can also search for products from breweries with dedicated gluten-free facilities.

A lot of countries follow strict labeling standards and beer varieties with a regulated gluten-free label are probably safe to drink if you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Sources:

EcoWatch.com

MedlinePlus.gov

Celiac.org