Can patients with gout drink white liquor (Chinese白酒)?

Jul 07, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Tiesheng
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, gout patients are not advised to drink white spirits (baijiu). The main component of white spirits, ethanol, competitively inhibits the excretion of uric acid during its metabolism in the body, leading to elevated blood uric acid levels and increasing the frequency and severity of gout attacks. Moreover, the metabolism of ethanol in the liver consumes large amounts of energy and coenzymes, promoting increased production of lactic acid.

Generally, gout patients are not advised to drink white spirits (baijiu). The detailed explanation is as follows:

The main component of white spirits is ethanol, which competitively inhibits the excretion of uric acid during its metabolism in the body, leading to elevated blood uric acid levels and increasing both the frequency and severity of gout attacks. Moreover, during ethanol metabolism in the liver, large amounts of energy and coenzymes are consumed, promoting increased production of lactic acid. Lactic acid competes with uric acid during renal excretion, further impeding uric acid elimination. Additionally, alcohol stimulates accelerated purine metabolism, promoting increased purine synthesis in the body, which subsequently generates more uric acid. Furthermore, white spirits may trigger vasodilation, intensifying the inflammatory response in joints, worsening symptoms such as joint redness, swelling, and pain in gout patients, and even inducing the formation of tophi, which significantly affects joint function and quality of life.

During gout treatment, it is important to develop healthy lifestyle habits, avoid high-purine diets and alcohol consumption, such as white spirits and beer, which may hinder recovery. At the same time, drinking plenty of water, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in regular physical activity can help control the condition.

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