That favourite summer drink you reach for on holiday may be causing more than a sore head the next morning, health experts have warned.
With British holidaymakers expected to drink more than 320 million pints of beer this season, many will be anticipating the familiar sluggishness that can follow a day in the sun with alcohol.
But nutrition specialists say some symptoms blamed on an ordinary hangover may actually point to a more specific reaction to beer.
Oliver Goble, Head of Nutrition at Supply Life, says an ice-cold beer in warm weather may be a much-loved summer ritual, but the drink contains a complex combination of ingredients that can be difficult for some people to tolerate.
He said: “Aside from the alcohol content, beer features an extensive ingredient list that some drinkers might be sensitive to without knowing it.”
Common triggers include gluten and grains, both of which can cause reactions in sensitive drinkers, as well as brewer’s yeast, a key part of the fermentation process that may irritate the digestive system.
Unlike a true allergy, an intolerance does not involve a full immune-system response. It happens when the digestive system struggles to break down certain chemical compounds properly.
Because the effects of drinking too much alcohol can easily mask these warning signs, Goble says the clearest clues are often when symptoms appear and how they relate to drinking habits.
Signs of a beer intolerance
Stomach pain, acid reflux, nasal congestion, bloating, diarrhoea, fatigue, or IBS-like symptoms – and these manifest almost straight away, typically within an hour of your first drink.
Signs of a hangover
Symptoms such as nausea, dehydration, and shaking typically emerge several hours later or the morning after heavy drinking.
If you suspect your summer tipple is causing problems, it may be worth monitoring your symptoms closely. Should switching from beer to alternative drinks resolve the issue, ingredients such as gluten, grains, or yeast are most likely to blame.
If all alcoholic beverages cause discomfort, you may be suffering from a general alcohol intolerance.
It is advisable to seek proper testing, as while process of elimination can be effective, an official intolerance test removes the guesswork by identifying your precise triggers.
An intolerance does not necessarily spell a permanent ban.
Giving beer a rest for several months can give your system the chance to reset and potentially change how your body responds to it going forward.
