Expert: Spencer W Thomas - 12/18/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am a borderline type 2 diabetic and I like my beer. I have drank Budweiser products for several years and recently found out about rice and corn being added. I thought if I could find a beer to drink without either one of these, it might help my sugar levels.

ANSWER: There is very little sugar left in beer, no matter what the source.  Almost all the "simple" sugars are converted by fermentation into alcohol and carbon dioxide.  I'm not a doctor nor an expert on diabetes, so I really don't know the effect of alcohol.  If you're trying to reduce sugars, your best bet would be to look for "dry" or "low carb" beers such as Michelob Ultra.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So you think if it has rice or corn, the sugar level probably is not affected?

Answer
Rice and corn are added to many American beers to lower the "residual sweetness", as they tend to be more fully fermentable than barley malt.  (Plus they're cheaper than barley malt.  And have less flavor.)  So a beer made with rice or corn might actually have a lower glycemic index than a beer made with all barley malt.