| butthurt |
11-02-2014 08:27 PM |
If you haven’t yet heard of the gluten-free craze, a quick browse through a health food store or celebrity magazine will obliterate your obliviousness. Gluten is the technical name for a type of protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Although most people can eat it without problem, others have an intolerance to this particular protein, which triggers a variety of adverse effects when consumed. Since most types of beer contain one of the three triggers, gluten-intolerant people need to be a bit more creative with their concoctions.
Gluten Intolerance
Gluten intolerance comes in various forms. Some are simply sensitive to the protein, experiencing a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including nausea, digestive discomfort, diarrhea, abdominal cramps and headaches. Other people are allergic to wheat, so they must avoid gluten products. Symptoms of a wheat allergy might ******* nasal congestion, nausea and skin reactions. Serious allergies might also cause anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening condition that causes swelling of the airways.
Celiac Disease
Consuming gluten can also be dangerous for patients with Celiac disease, a digestive disorder that allows gluten to damage the lining of the small intestine. When this damage occurs, the body cannot properly absorb nutrients. Along with diarrhea, constipation, weight loss and severe abdominal pain, people with Celiac disease might also experience severe vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition.
Gluten In Beer
Traditionally, beer is made from malted barley or malted wheat. Since both of these ingredients contain gluten, people with gluten intolerance will likely experience an adverse reaction after drinking beer. However, some types of beer contain more gluten than others. As of September 2012, beer manufacturers are not required to ******* the amount of gluten on the label.
Gluten-Free Beer
As gluten-free diets have become more popular, beer manufacturers have released a variety of gluten-free beers. In many cases, these beers are made from corn or rice. They might also be made from sorghum or different fruits. A March 2012 article on the Paste Magazine website names a few of the best and worst gluten-free beers as rated by a panel of gluten-free guzzlers. Many of the panel’s favorite beers used sorghum or gluten-extracted barley as a main ingredient.
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