Carbohydrates are burned in your body no matter what source they come from. The carbohydrates in beer can be complex and refined. Both types are used in the body to create energy. Although carbohydrates are needed to supply your body with glucose for energy, eating or drinking too much carbohydrate can cause future health complications.
Identification
Carbohydrates create a substance called glucose -- blood sugar -- that your body uses to create energy. Some glucose is used immediately in your body and what is not used is stored in the muscles and liver to be released when needed. Carbohydrates are mainly found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, milk, dairy products and foods that contain added sugars.
Function
According to the glycemic index, which is a database used to determine the effects of carbohydrate-containing foods and beverages on blood sugar, a 10-ounce serving of beer contains about 10 grams of carbohydrates. Although the amount of carbohydrates contained in beer is significantly less than carbohydrates in the same serving size of soda, drinking a beer can still raise blood glucose levels. Drinking a large amount of beer can significantly spike blood glucose levels.
Types
There are two forms of carbohydrates: complex carbohydrates and refined carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates take longer to break down into the substance glucose, so there are no sudden increases in blood glucose levels. Foods that contain complex carbohydrates -- fruits, vegetables and whole grains -- also contain lots of dietary fiber. Refined carbohydrates are carbohydrates made with white flour or added sugars; this can include pastries, bread, soda and beer. This form of carbohydrate breaks down quickly in the blood and causes a sudden spike in blood glucose. Beer made from barley may contain some dietary fiber.
Considerations
According to the University of Rochester, drinking too much of an alcoholic beverage can cause weight gain and increase the risk of developing high cholesterol, coronary heart disease or type-2 diabetes. This is because some of the alcohol content converts to fat, while the rest converts into acetate, which replaces fat as a source of fuel.
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