Beer can cause an adverse reaction in some people. We’re not talking about the type where they believe they can sing or are talking in an indoor voice
One day a buddy hands you a pint from a local microbrewery that he says you have to try out. After a single pint, you might notice that you have a bloated feeling or a runny nose.
The new beer likely had an ingredient that you might not have consumed in the past. Like any food that is ingested, the reaction can be categorized as intolerance or an allergy.
– tingling sensation on the tongue or in mouth – rash or hive – abdominal cramp – sneezing – nausea
Beer, like most alcohol, contains a lot of histamines. When your immune system reacts to an allergy, the first thing it does is flood your body with histamines.
– swelling/pain in the upper right side of the abdomen – unexplained weight lo – lack of appetite – lack of energy – nausea and vomiting
For your body to break down alcohol, it has to make an enzyme called aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which is made by the liver. If your body can’t make as much because of liver damage, sickness, or age, you can develop a reaction to any alcohol.
With a mild reaction, the first thing you should do is stop drinking that beer. You can try switching to something else (if available) and see if the symptoms subside.