Is Corona a Gluten-Free Beer?

Is Corona a Gluten-Free Beer?

A nutritionist sorts out the science

I’ve had several clients ask me about gluten-free beers. There are definitely some quality gluten-free beers out there, such as Omission, Red Bridge and Bards. On the lighter end, Bud Light Lime is an option (it’s made with rice instead of barley). But, over and over clients ask specifically about Corona Extra beer. There seems to be a controversy about whether it is gluten-free or not, so I did a little digging.

I found that Corona does have a very small amount of gluten: 20 ppm or less per beer. For context, the limit for the gluten-free designation in this country is 20 ppm. Other beers contain well over 2000 ppm. In fact, Mexican Coronas are actually marked as gluten-free. Here is the link to check out the FDA guidelines for yourselves.

So, most people, even those with a sensitivity to gluten, should be able to drink Corona without any digestive distress. However, remember that delayed onset food allergy/intolerance may take weeks to show symptoms. Just because you don’t notice outward symptoms right away, it doesn’t mean your body isn’t experiencing some internal inflammation and other distress. The best way to determine if you have a delayed-onset reaction to gluten is to do a food sensitivity test or engage in an elimination diet.

I hope you take this information about whether or not Corona is a gluten-free beer to make your own educated decisions. Maybe you will have a Corona this weekend. If that is the case, ENJOY! Or, maybe you’ll choose something else and enjoy that with more peace of mind. If you’re not sure whether Corona (or any other food) should be in your diet, a Healthy Nest nutritionist can help.

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