One Love Meg: Somewhere in the world right now its beer thirty.

So I have been drinking more beer lately then normal so I thought I would do a little research on exactly what I am drinking.... I try to get gluten free beer as much as possible but the only place that I have found gluten free options is at whole foods which is not the most convenient place to grab a six pack, not like the local liquor store in my backyard.

I found this neat article all about this yummy we drink we call "Beer"...

Though healthy chicks are typically washing a meal down with water from the tap every once in a Blue Moon – pun intended – we crave something else from the tap. I’m talking about washing it down with an ice cold beer.

Established in 1810 to celebrate prince Ludwig & Princess Therese’s marriage in Bavaria Oktoberfest has gone from a local wedding party to a global excuse to drink your face off.

With beer flowing like Niagara Falls at fairgrounds restaurants and even house parties it’s hard not to get wrapped up in it one way or another. Who can deny that a beer a pretzel and lederhosen are great fun?

Well before you grab the beer bong and regress to your sorority days you may want to know the pros and cons of our favorite Autumnal alcoholic beverage.

The Pros of Beer

Beer is fat-free
Beer is a low sugar beverage not like that margarita you’ve been eyeballing
Beer has no cholesterol
Since most beer contains malted barley it is a source of soluble fiber aiding in healthy bowel function and slowing digestion and absorption of food. You may be surprised to know that a liter of beer contains an average of 20-percent of the recommended daily intake of fiber while some can provide up to 60-percent!
Moderate consumption of beer has been shown to reduce stress and the chances of heart disease. I repeat moderate!
Beer contains significant amounts of magnesium selenium potassium phosphorus biotin and is chock-full of vitamin B

The Cons of Beer

One 12-ounce serving of "regular" 150 calories beer per night adds more than 1000 calories a week to a diet working out to an extra 15 pounds per year. One light beer per night adds 10 pounds.
There are about seven calories per gram of alcohol so the higher the alcohol content the more caloric it is. Just to give you an idea of how high that is in relation to other foods there are four calories per gram of carbohydrates or protein and nine calories per gram of fat.
Even though beer contains no sugar the alcohol affects your blood sugar levels causing them to drop more rapidly. This can cause low energy and stimulate your appetite thereby causing you to overeat like a piggy.
Why do we get a beer belly? Remember that beer has all sorts of vitamins. Well because alcohol interferes with the body's absorption of vitamins and minerals it can lessen the body's ability to burn stored fat. And since alcohol is detoxified by the liver metabolizing excess quantities of alcohol causes the liver to swell thereby filling with fat.
Alcohol destroys vitamin C and vitamin B complex. So look for beers that have not filtered out the vitamin B as those will help in combating the negative effects of alcohol ie. Hangovers?
Most beers contain wheat and barley so those with Celiacs Disease or a sensitivity to gluten have to chill on conventional brews see below. They can wreak havoc in their bodies causing side effects that vary from uncomfortable gas to difficulty breathing.

There you have it. Beer definitely has some good attributes but it’s important to know the negative aspects. If you’re going to indulge be sure to choose your brews wisely. Gluten-free beers are less bloating those with lower alcohol levels are less caloric and those that still have vitamin B will make you feel less crappy.

Here is some research I found on the gluten free beer options:

Gluten Free Beer

Healthier beers

** My personal favorite gluten free beer is RedBridge. mmmmm!