Can people with gout drink white liquor (baijiu)?
Disease description:
I personally enjoy drinking alcohol a bit, but recently I have been experiencing pain in my legs and feet. After an examination, I was diagnosed with gout. I would like to ask, can people with gout drink white spirits (Chinese白酒)?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Patients with gout should not consume white liquor (Chinese白酒), mainly for the following reasons:
1. **Impairs uric acid excretion**: The alcohol in white liquor interferes with the kidneys' normal excretion of uric acid, leading to elevated levels of uric acid in the blood, which is a key factor in triggering gout attacks.
2. **Promotes uric acid production**: During alcohol metabolism, lactic acid is produced, which further inhibits the excretion of uric acid by renal tubules. Additionally, alcohol promotes the conversion of adenosine nucleotides into hypoxanthine, thereby accelerating uric acid synthesis and increasing uric acid levels in the body.
3. **Affects liver function**: Long-term heavy alcohol consumption increases the burden on the liver and impairs its ability to metabolize and process uric acid, which is detrimental to the control of gout.
