Short Answer: Beer is bad for hypothyroidism because it has gluten and alcohol, and they can negatively affect your thyroid function, mood, cognition, hydration, and medication absorption.
Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects your thyroid gland, which is located in the front of your neck and produces hormones that regulate your metabolism.
In hypothyroidism, your body does not produce enough thyroid hormones, which can slow down your metabolism and cause various health problems, such as fatigue, weight gain, high cholesterol, depression, and infertility.
One of the key factors in managing hypothyroidism is diet.
What you consume can affect your thyroid function, which can impact your hypothyroidism symptoms and overall health.
To effectively manage hypothyroidism, you should consume iodine-rich foods like seafood, dairy products, and eggs, and avoid goitrogenic foods like cruciferous vegetables, soy, and millet, which can interfere with thyroid hormone production.
Now, beer is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented grains, usually barley, and flavored with hops.
People usually drink beer for social or recreational purposes, or to quench their thirst.
Beer is bad for hypothyroidism because it contains gluten and alcohol, which can both negatively affect your thyroid function.
Gluten is a protein found in barley and other grains, which can trigger an autoimmune response in some people with hypothyroidism, especially those with Hashimoto’s disease, the most common cause of hypothyroidism.
Alcohol can reduce the amount of thyroid hormones in your blood, and interfere with the absorption of thyroid medication.
One 12-ounce (355-milliliter) can of beer can give you about 13 grams of carbohydrates, 1.6 grams of protein, and 0.5 grams of fat, as well as 153 calories and 14 grams of alcohol.
None of these nutrients are beneficial for your thyroid health.
Gluten can cause inflammation and damage to your intestinal lining, which can impair your nutrient absorption and increase your risk of developing other autoimmune diseases.
Alcohol can also damage your liver, which is responsible for converting the inactive form of thyroid hormone (T4) into the active form (T3), which your cells need to function properly.
Furthermore, beer is a depressant and a diuretic, and both of these effects are bad for hypothyroidism.
Because beer slows down your central nervous system, it can worsen your mood and cognitive function, which are already affected by low thyroid hormones.
Because beer makes you urinate more, it can dehydrate you and flush out essential minerals like iodine, selenium, and zinc, which are needed for thyroid hormone synthesis and metabolism.
That’s why I suggest you limit your beer intake to avoid worsening your hypothyroidism symptoms and complications.
Stick to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, as recommended by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
More than that can cause liver damage, dehydration, weight gain, and hormonal imbalance.
Also, you shouldn’t drink beer if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, to prevent damaging your gut and triggering an immune reaction.
Because beer can interact with your thyroid medication and reduce its effectiveness, you should avoid drinking beer within four hours of taking your medication.
You can buy beer in most grocery stores, liquor stores, bars, and restaurants.
Always choose beer that is labeled as gluten-free if you have celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Because beer can go bad if exposed to light, heat, or oxygen, you should store it in a cool, dark, and dry place, and consume it before the expiration date.
Finally, remember, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, and essential medical care, is key to managing hypothyroidism effectively.
I always recommend my hypothyroidism patients to follow a hypothyroidism-friendly diet to improve their overall well-being and enjoy a longer and healthier life.