Two of the worst things in the Standard American Diet (SAD) are wheat and sugar. Given that beer is made from wheat, it’s safe to say that it is not Paleo-friendly. Even the wheat-free beers are made from other grains that are high in carbohydrates and low in nutrients, regardless of whether they contain gluten.
The Problems With Gluten
Even after it has been fermented, gluten remains a formidable force in beer. It is known for being highly inflammatory and increasing gut permeability, which lets toxins and undigested foods into the blood stream. Even people who don’t test positive for gluten intolerance have noticed it contributes to all sorts of negative health effects, from bloating to joint pain.
Paleo and Carbohydrates
Beer is also extremely high on the glycemic index, causing a spike in blood sugar, which leads to a crash. Ever wonder why you crave junk food when you’re drunk? It’s because you’re coming down from that insulin spike and your body is telling you that you need to get your blood sugar back up – at any cost.
There are now non-alcoholic and gluten-free beers available, but they’re not very Paleo-friendly either, since they’re still very high in carbs.
