Why can gout patients drink white spirits (baijiu)?
Aug 01, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Tiesheng
Introduction
Gout patients are not absolutely prohibited from drinking white spirits; however, generally, there are no clear circumstances under which drinking white spirits would be appropriate. Claims that "it is okay to drink" lack scientific basis. It is usually not recommended for gout patients to consume white spirits, as they may adversely affect the condition by influencing uric acid metabolism, exacerbating inflammatory responses, interfering with medication effectiveness, increasing the burden on the liver and kidneys, and triggering acute gout attacks.
Patients with gout are not absolutely prohibited from drinking white spirits, but generally there is no clear indication that it is suitable for them to consume white spirits. Claims that "it is okay to drink" lack scientific basis. Patients with gout are usually advised against drinking white spirits, as it may adversely affect their condition by influencing uric acid metabolism, exacerbating inflammatory responses, interfering with medication effectiveness, increasing the burden on the liver and kidneys, and inducing acute gout attacks. If any abnormalities occur, prompt medical attention is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Impact on uric acid metabolism: White spirits contain alcohol, which produces lactic acid during metabolism in the body. Accumulation of lactic acid may inhibit uric acid excretion, leading to elevated blood uric acid levels. Increased uric acid is a key factor in triggering gout attacks.
2. Exacerbation of inflammatory responses: Alcohol is irritating and may worsen inflammatory responses in the joints, making joint pain and swelling more pronounced in patients with gout, which is detrimental to symptom relief and disease control.
3. Interference with medication effectiveness: Gout patients often require uric acid-lowering medications to manage their condition. White spirits may interact with these medications, interfering with their absorption, metabolism, and efficacy, thereby affecting treatment outcomes and potentially causing adverse reactions.
4. Increased burden on liver and kidneys: Alcohol must be metabolized by the liver, and the abnormal uric acid metabolism in gout patients already places a certain burden on the kidneys. Consuming white spirits further increases the metabolic load on the liver and kidneys, potentially affecting their function.
5. Induction of acute attacks: White spirits are an indirect trigger for high-purine foods. Consumption may lead to fluctuations in blood uric acid levels, easily inducing acute gout attacks, causing patients severe joint pain and significantly affecting their quality of life.
Patients with gout should strictly limit their intake of white spirits and ideally avoid consumption altogether. In daily life, they should drink plenty of water to promote uric acid excretion, follow a low-purine diet, regularly monitor blood uric acid levels, and seek timely medical attention to adjust treatment plans if joint pain or other discomfort occurs.
