Can Alcohol Cause Gout?
We all know that alcohol is one of the biggest offenders of gout. In fact, gout patients are likelier to be alcohol drinkers than those who don’t have gout. With this in mind, it’s important to limit your alcohol intake in order to avoid the unwanted consequences of a gout flare.
However, for some of us, quitting alcohol completely is not an option. Who doesn’t like to enjoy a pint every now and then? This article is for you who may not find it easy to give up alcohol from your life. We’ll take a look at the science and understand why it’s a big no-no in the gout world.
Hopefully, by understanding the connection between alcohol and gout, you can make better lifestyle choices, stick to your limits, and consider quitting it for good.
So can alcohol cause gout?
Yes it does. This is because alcohol, particularly beer, are high in purines. Beer is a popular drink among the younger crowd so it’s not surprising to see younger people experiencing gout attacks.
Purines are compounds that break down in the body and become uric acid. While some uric acid in the blood is okay, too much of it can lead to a buildup that accumulates in joints. This is when you get those sudden painful gout flares that last for days. Alcohol also affects the rate of uric acid secretion in the body. This leads to elevated levels of uric acid in the blood.
In an analysis of multiple studies regarding gout and alcohol consumption, they found that the more alcohol an individual consumed, the higher their risk was for developing gout. So even if you’re not diagnosed with gout yet, if you consume high levels of alcohol, you could be well on your way to getting gout later on.
In the analysis, they compared the risk for people who drank occasionally (one drink a day), moderately (less than three drinks a day), or heavily (three or more drinks a day). The light drinkers only had a 16% risk, moderate drinkers had a 58% risk while the heavy drinkers had a 264% increased risk for developing gout.
In another study where they observed over 500 patients, 14.18% of those who said that diet or lifestyle was a trigger had reported alcohol being the main cause for an acute gout attack. Only 4% said that red meat or dehydration was the cause.
“But what about spirits and wines? Are those okay to drink?”, you might ask. Sadly, they too are not good for gout and can cause your symptoms to worsen. In a study published in The Lancet, they found that those who consumed two shots of spirits everyday increased their risk for gout by 1.6 times. In another study published by the American Journal of Medicine, they found that all types of alcohol, including wine, was associated with an increased risk for recurrent gout attacks.
Here’s the good news: wine is found to be the least offensive out of all the types of alcohol. Yes, it can still cause a gout attack but if you’re considering slowly weaning off from alcohol, you are better off doing it with wine.
If you must stick to beer, opt for locally made ones that have been brewed with organic ingredients. These are better than the mainstream beers you find at the supermarket which often contain high levels of fructose and GMO.
Will cutting out alcohol make my gout go away?
No, once you have gout, it is with you for the rest of your life. But when you cut back on alcohol, you’re putting yourself at less risk for gout flares. This is possible when accompanied by other healthy lifestyle choices like eating a low purine diet and taking uric acid-lowering medication.
Unfortunately, gout is a genetic disease that cannot be fixed with diet change alone. If you’ve been diagnosed with gout, it’s especially important to be diligent in keeping these lifestyle changes in the first six months, including avoiding alcohol, since you’re more likely to have flares when beginning to take uric acid-lowering medicine.
If you have not had any gout flares after six months, you can enjoy the occasional alcoholic beverage. A study by the American Journal of Medicine found that patients who took their medication helped reduce the harmful effects of alcohol.
This doesn’t mean you should be lenient though. You don’t necessarily have to have high uric acid levels to experience a flare up. One study revealed that patients who drank alcohol had acute flare ups even at low serum uric acid levels. This means it does not take a lot of uric acid buildup for a gout flare to happen. If you’re a chronic alcohol user, you may be more prone to these flares.
Moderate drinking means two drinks per day for male patients 65 and younger, one drink per day for male patients over 65, and one drink per day for female patients. When you’re enjoying a drink, be mindful of your alcohol intake making sure you don’t drink too much. And don’t forget to drink water in between. This prevents dehydration which is another cause for a gout attack.
This is just a general guide to help you make smarter choices. Remember that everyone is different. Some gout sufferers might be able to tolerate drinking one pint of beer everyday while some instantly experience a flare after having their first one in a month. Observe how your body reacts to these gout triggers and adjust your lifestyle accordingly.
If you struggle with gout flares but you’re unable to quit drinking due to physical dependence on the substance, it’s worth considering getting treatment from a rehabilitation facility. These places have programs designed to help you manage your addiction so you can quit in a more sustainable way.
How big of an adjustment did you have to make with your alcohol consumption when you found out you had gout? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns.
