Now that we have knowledge of the nutritional content of a can of beer, let’s continue by learning about the sugar content in different types of beer.
This information may be new to some people who may believe that most beer types have the same sugar content. Here, we will present a table showing the amount of carbohydrates and sugar content in specific beer types.
Beer Type | Total Amount of Carbs | Total Amount of Sugar |
|---|---|---|
Regular Beer | 12.8 grams | None |
Non-alcoholic Beer | 28.5 grams | 28.5 grams |
Light Beer | 5.9 grams | 0.3 grams |
Low Carb Beer | 2.6 grams | None |
In the table above, it can be seen that regular and low-carb beer do not contain any sugar, while non-alcoholic beer has the highest sugar content. This information can help you decide which beer to drink on different occasions.
Effects on Our Health
After learning about the sugar and nutritional content of beer, it is important to discuss the potential effects it can have on our health. We have listed below the health conditions that can be influenced by beer consumption without considering its impact on our health. Take a look at each one of them below.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, it is important to consume beer in moderation. While it is said that one to two cans of beer can have benefits for diabetic individuals, you still need to be cautious as there are risks associated with consuming large amounts of beer.
High or Low Blood Sugar
As mentioned before, beer does not contain much sugar, but it can still significantly affect your blood sugar levels. Like other alcoholic beverages, beer will cause a sudden drop in your blood sugar that can last for up to 24 hours after consumption.
Since it competes with the liver for glucose production, you may experience low blood sugar the next day. This, coupled with impaired judgment, can lead to issues with blood sugar. This effect can be intensified if you take anti-hyperglycemic medicines such as insulin and metformin.
Drinking beer can impair sugar metabolism and stimulate a process called glycogenolysis. Consuming excessive amounts of beer can result in hypoglycemia. The best way to avoid these risks is to consume beer in moderation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does wine have more sugar than beer?
If we compare the sugar content of beer and wine, it is evident that wine generally contains more sugar. As mentioned earlier, beer technically does not contain sugar since it is converted to alcohol. On the other hand, wine is known to have sugar.
Various types of wine can have different levels of sugar content. The sweeter the wine, the higher its sugar content. For example, dessert wines like sparkling and fortified wines are known to have more sugar than regular wines. This is because sugar is added during the fermentation process to intentionally make the wine sweeter.
Is it possible to drink beer while on a diet?
Dieting involves discipline in food consumption and calorie intake. Yes, you can drink beer while on a diet. However, if you are following a strict diet that restricts calories or carbohydrates, you should also be cautious of liquid calories as they can disrupt your diet. Adding a few cans of beer is not part of a healthy diet.
For instance, let’s say you only drink a few cans of beer once a week. Even though it may not be frequent, it still amounts to a significant intake of unwanted calories, which can sabotage your diet.
What is Beer Gravity?
This term refers to the density of wort, which is influenced by the sugar content at various stages of the beer-making process. High-gravity wort indicates a higher sugar concentration.
As we have learned from the brewing process, fermentation and yeast convert the sugar in the brew into alcohol, resulting in a decrease in sugar content. This is why the initial and final gravity of the beer is measured to determine how much sugar was converted into alcohol during fermentation.
