Brits are set to drink 320 million pints this summer (Image: Javier Zayas Photography via Getty Images)
Your favourite summer holiday tipple could be triggering some unpleasant symptoms without you even knowing it, experts have cautioned.
As British holidaymakers gear up to consume over 320 million pints of beer this season, many are bracing themselves for the typical next-day lethargy.
However, nutrition specialists warn that the problem could be far more specific than a straightforward hangover.
Oliver Goble, Head of Nutrition at Supply Life, observes that while reaching for a chilled beer in the sunshine is a cherished ritual, beer contains a complicated mix of ingredients that many bodies find difficult to process.
He said: “Aside from the alcohol content, beer features an extensive ingredient list that some drinkers might be sensitive to without knowing it.”
Primary offenders include gluten and grains, which regularly provoke sensitive reactions, and brewer’s yeast which is used throughout the fermentation process and can readily upset digestive systems.
An intolerance differs from a full immune-system allergy; instead, it develops when the digestive system fails to adequately break down particular chemical compounds.
Since the consequences of excessive drinking can disguise these symptoms, Goble stresses that timing and consumption patterns are the most reliable warning signs.
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.
