What types of alcohol can be consumed with gout?

Dec 31, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Tiesheng
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, patients with gout are not advised to consume alcohol. Gout is a disease caused by the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints due to excessively high levels of uric acid in the blood. When alcohol is metabolized in the body, it produces lactic acid. Lactic acid and uric acid compete for excretion in the kidneys. An increase in lactic acid can inhibit the renal tubules' excretion of uric acid, leading to the accumulation of uric acid in the body.

Generally, patients with gout are not advised to consume alcohol. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation at a hospital and follow standardized treatment under a doctor's guidance. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Gout is a disease caused by excessively high levels of uric acid in the blood, which leads to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints. During the metabolism of alcohol in the human body, lactic acid is produced. Lactic acid and uric acid compete for excretion in the kidneys. When lactic acid levels increase, it inhibits the excretion of uric acid through the renal tubules, leading to the accumulation of uric acid in the body and increasing the risk of gout attacks.

In addition, certain alcoholic beverages, such as beer, contain high levels of purines. Purines are metabolized into uric acid in the body; therefore, consuming these beverages directly increases uric acid production. Alcohol may also trigger or exacerbate inflammatory responses in the body, and gout itself is an inflammatory disease. Thus, alcohol consumption may worsen the symptoms and progression of gout.

Patients with gout should also maintain good lifestyle and dietary habits, such as drinking plenty of water, engaging in appropriate physical activity, and avoiding high-purine foods, to help control the progression of the disease.

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