Often based on anecdotal information, there are conflicting opinions on the effect of wine on gout. However, the results of a relatively small 2006 study of 200 people would suggest the answer to the question, “Should I drink wine if I have gout?” is “No.” While the study concluded that alcohol triggers recurrent gout attacks, it did not find that the risk of recurrent gout attacks varied by alcohol type.
The final conclusion being that amount of ethanol in any alcoholic beverage is responsible for the recurring gout attacks, as opposed to any other components. In other words, you do not reduce the risk triggering gout attacks by drinking wine instead of beer or cocktails. Gout is a painful form of arthritis that develops with uric acid building up in the joints.
This buildup is either because you are producing more uric acid or because you are unable to eliminate enough of it. Your body may experience excess uric acid if you eat food or drink beverages that contain purines. Purines are naturally occurring chemicals that your body breaks down into uric acid.
If you have been diagnosed with gout, your doctor will likely prescribe either over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Your doctor will also likely suggest lifestyle changes, such as a diet to lower uric acid, Depending on your specific situation, your doctor might also recommend colchicine or corticosteroids,
A 2015 study done over a 12-month period with 724 participants found that drinking any amount of any type of alcoholic beverage increased the risk of a gout attack to some level. The study showed that more than one drink in a 24-hour period was associated with a 36 percent increase in risk of a gout attack.
1-2 servings of wine (one serving is 5 oz.)2-4 servings of beer (one serving is a 12 oz. beer)2-4 servings of hard liquor (one serving is 1.5 oz.)
The study concluded with the recommendation that people with established gout should, to lower their risk of recurrent gout attacks, avoid drinking alcohol. There are lifestyle changes that, along with adjusting alcohol consumption, that can reduce your risk for gout and gout flare ups. Consider:
Losing weight. A 2018 review of studies indicated that obesity more than doubles the risk of gout. Avoiding fructose. A 2008 study concluded that fructose contributes to heightened uric acid production. Fruit juices and sugar-sweetened sodas were included in this study. Avoiding certain high-purine foods. To avoid gout and gout flare-ups, the Arthritis Foundation recommends limiting or eliminating consumption of certain seafood (shellfish, shrimp, lobster) and animal proteins such as organ meat (liver, sweetbreads, tongue and brains) and some red meats (beef, bison, venison). Some cuts of beef and pork are considered lower in purines: brisket, tenderloin, shoulder, sirloin. Chicken contains a moderate level of purines as well. The bottom line here may be to limit all meat portions to 3.5 ounces per meal or a portion about the size of a deck of cards. Increasing vegetable and dairy product consumption. According to guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology, vegetables and low-fat or nonfat dairy products can help gout treatment. The guidelines also indicate that vegetables that are high in purines do not increase the risk of gout.
Although anecdotal evidence might suggest that wine is less likely to impact your gout than beer and alcohol, research shows that there is no major difference associated with gout attacks and the type of alcoholic beverage you consume. Of course, everybody is different, so ask your doctor’s opinion about your specific diagnosis of gout and whether or not they feel you can safely use alcohol in moderation to see how it affects your gout.
Contents
What alcohol does not increase uric acid?
INTRODUCTION – Gout, a crystal-induced arthritis associated with hyperuricemia, 1 is presently the most common inflammatory arthritis, affecting 8.3 million US adults.2 Recurrent attacks constitute the main clinical burden of gout. Despite available urate-lowering therapies, the risk of recurrent gout attacks remains high, with the risk of having at least one attack in a year being 69%.3 Strategies to prevent not only disease onset but also recurrent attacks are needed, given the rising incidence and prevalence of gout.2, 4 – 6 Alcohol has long been recognized anecdotally as a potential risk factor for recurrent gout attacks.
However, most studies to date have focused on alcohol consumption in relation to the risk of initial occurrence of gout.7 – 9 In a large prospective cohort study, total alcohol consumption was strongly associated with an increased risk of incident gout.8 Additionally, the risk of incident gout varied by type of beverage consumed, with an increased risk observed for beer and liquor, but not wine.8 However, patients often report wine as a trigger for recurrent gout attacks, and historic depictions of gout often included wine, although this may have partly been related to lead contamination in the Roman era.
We have previously reported that overall alcohol consumption increased the risk of recurrent gout attacks; however, due to insufficient cases at the time, we were unable to evaluate whether moderate intakes of alcohol and whether specific type of alcoholic beverage were associated with an increased risk of recurrent gout attack.10 Further, gout treatment guidelines vary regarding recommendations about quantity and type of alcohol intake.11 – 13 Clarification of the risk for recurrent gout attacks imparted by specific types of alcoholic beverages would have practical clinical implications for management of patients with established gout.
Is whiskey OK for gout?
Avoid drinking alcohol—Grain-based alcoholic beverages such as whiskey, bourbon, and beer known to increase uric acid formation in the blood, can trigger a gout attack.
Can I drink wine if I have gout?
Frequently Asked Questions –
- How much wine can you drink with gout? The amount of wine a person with gout can tolerate depends on the person and how it affects them. It is best to avoid alcohol completely. However, some people find they can tolerate small amounts, especially if it is only consumed occasionally.
- What is the best thing to drink if you have gout? All types of alcohol should be avoided to prevent gout. While wine may affect gout less than beer and some other types of alcohol, it can still trigger gout flares and increase symptoms. The best thing to drink is water.
- What is the safest alcohol to drink with gout? There is no safe type of alcohol to drink with gout because they have all been shown to trigger attacks and increase symptoms. Wine is sometimes believed to be the least likely to lead to negative effects, but there is not enough evidence to support this claim and it is high in a chemical called purine, which leads to gout.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Gout,
- National Health Service. Gout,
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Gout,
- Harvard Medical School. Is red wine actually good for your heart?,
- Neogi T, Chen C, Niu J, Chaisson C, Hunter DJ, Zhang Y. Alcohol quantity and type on risk of recurrent gout attacks: An internet-based case-crossover study, Am J Med,2014;127(4):311-318. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2013.12.019
- Wu B, Roseland JM, Haytowitz DB, Pehrsson PR, Ershow AG. Availability and quality of published data on the purine content of foods, alcoholic beverages, and dietary supplements, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis,2019;84:103281. doi:10.1016/j.jfca.2019.103281
- American Addiction Centers. Gout and alcohol: Does alcohol use affect gout?,
- Arthritis Foundation. Managing a gout flare,
By Ashley Olivine, Ph.D., MPH Dr. Ashley Olivine is a health psychologist and public health professional with over a decade of experience serving clients in the clinical setting and private practice. She has also researched a wide variety psychology and public health topics such as the management of health risk factors, chronic illness, maternal and child wellbeing, and child development.
What is the most gout friendly alcohol?
Often based on anecdotal information, there are conflicting opinions on the effect of wine on gout. However, the results of a relatively small 2006 study of 200 people would suggest the answer to the question, “Should I drink wine if I have gout?” is “No.” While the study concluded that alcohol triggers recurrent gout attacks, it did not find that the risk of recurrent gout attacks varied by alcohol type.
The final conclusion being that amount of ethanol in any alcoholic beverage is responsible for the recurring gout attacks, as opposed to any other components. In other words, you do not reduce the risk triggering gout attacks by drinking wine instead of beer or cocktails. Gout is a painful form of arthritis that develops with uric acid building up in the joints.
This buildup is either because you are producing more uric acid or because you are unable to eliminate enough of it. Your body may experience excess uric acid if you eat food or drink beverages that contain purines. Purines are naturally occurring chemicals that your body breaks down into uric acid.
If you have been diagnosed with gout, your doctor will likely prescribe either over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Your doctor will also likely suggest lifestyle changes, such as a diet to lower uric acid, Depending on your specific situation, your doctor might also recommend colchicine or corticosteroids,
A 2015 study done over a 12-month period with 724 participants found that drinking any amount of any type of alcoholic beverage increased the risk of a gout attack to some level. The study showed that more than one drink in a 24-hour period was associated with a 36 percent increase in risk of a gout attack.
1-2 servings of wine (one serving is 5 oz.)2-4 servings of beer (one serving is a 12 oz. beer)2-4 servings of hard liquor (one serving is 1.5 oz.)
The study concluded with the recommendation that people with established gout should, to lower their risk of recurrent gout attacks, avoid drinking alcohol. There are lifestyle changes that, along with adjusting alcohol consumption, that can reduce your risk for gout and gout flare ups. Consider:
Losing weight. A 2018 review of studies indicated that obesity more than doubles the risk of gout. Avoiding fructose. A 2008 study concluded that fructose contributes to heightened uric acid production. Fruit juices and sugar-sweetened sodas were included in this study. Avoiding certain high-purine foods. To avoid gout and gout flare-ups, the Arthritis Foundation recommends limiting or eliminating consumption of certain seafood (shellfish, shrimp, lobster) and animal proteins such as organ meat (liver, sweetbreads, tongue and brains) and some red meats (beef, bison, venison). Some cuts of beef and pork are considered lower in purines: brisket, tenderloin, shoulder, sirloin. Chicken contains a moderate level of purines as well. The bottom line here may be to limit all meat portions to 3.5 ounces per meal or a portion about the size of a deck of cards. Increasing vegetable and dairy product consumption. According to guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology, vegetables and low-fat or nonfat dairy products can help gout treatment. The guidelines also indicate that vegetables that are high in purines do not increase the risk of gout.
Although anecdotal evidence might suggest that wine is less likely to impact your gout than beer and alcohol, research shows that there is no major difference associated with gout attacks and the type of alcoholic beverage you consume. Of course, everybody is different, so ask your doctor’s opinion about your specific diagnosis of gout and whether or not they feel you can safely use alcohol in moderation to see how it affects your gout.
What alcohol can you drink if you have uric acid?
Hence, a physician might ask you to moderate your alcohol consumption. However, if you still wish to drink alcohol, drinking wine seems to be the least offensive. Other types of alcohol are high in purines, thereby worsening gout symptoms.
Can I drink whisky if my uric acid is high?
Studies have found that moderate consumption of whisky can help reduce high levels of uric acid, in turn lowering the frequency and risk of gout attacks.
What is the safest alcohol to drink?
Alcohol isn’t a healthy choice in general, but some alcohol is better for you than others. Red wine, whiskey, tequila, and hard kombucha are healthier options than beer and sugary drinks. The CDC recommends you limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day if you’re male and 1 if you’re female.
Nearly 70% of American adults drink each year. While alcohol certainly has some negative health effects, there can also be advantages to moderate consumption. “We have to clarify that alcohol is, indeed, a poison. So we’re not trying to say alcohol itself is healthy,” says Megan Kober, a registered dietitian with Metabolism Makeovers.
Can gout be cured?
There is no cure for gout, but treatments can help slow the progression of the disease and reduce the frequency and severity of disease flare-ups. Dietary choices, medication, and other strategies can help. Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that develops due to excess uric acid in the blood.
This excess uric acid forms crystals that accumulate within the joints, triggering joint pain, inflammation, and swelling. The condition typically affects the joints of the toes, ankles, or knees. This article provides tips on managing gout and outlines some of the causes, risk factors, and complications associated with the disease.
It also offers an overview of gout, including its four stages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is currently no cure for gout. However, treatments are available to help manage the condition and reduce the frequency and severity of gout attacks.
Why is coffee good for gout?
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the joints of the body. Symptoms are most common in the feet and toes. Gout is caused by a condition called hyperuricemia. This occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. Uric acid is created when chemical compounds called purines are broken down.
When hyperuricemia occurs, uric acid can deposit crystals in the joints, triggering painful swelling and inflammation. Gout affects roughly 4 percent of adults in the United States. There are many risk factors for gout. Certain conditions, such as blood and metabolism disorders can cause your body to produce too much uric acid.
Other diseases, such as kidney and thyroid problems, can impair your body’s ability to eliminate uric acid. Dietary habits, such as excessive alcohol consumption and eating foods high in purines (red meats and shellfish) or fructose (sugary beverages), can also lead to high uric acid blood levels.
However, there’s conflicting information about coffee. Often, coffee drinkers worried about gout are left wondering: Is coffee helpful or harmful? Let’s take a look at whether coffee raises or lowers your risk of gout, and how it fits into your diet if you already have gout. Most scientific research studies suggest that coffee can play a role in lowering your risk of gout.
Coffee contains a wide variety of beneficial compounds, including minerals, polyphenols, and caffeine. See more about the health benefits of coffee. Coffee is thought to reduce gout risk by lowering uric acid levels through several mechanisms, Coffee may lower uric acid levels by increasing the rate that your body excretes uric acid.
- Coffee is also thought to compete with the enzyme that breaks down purines in the body.
- This can lower the rate at which uric acid is created.
- A recent review of the research found that in many cases, drinking coffee was associated with lower levels of uric acid and fewer episodes of hyperuricemia.
- In one Japanese study mentioned, researchers found that coffee consumption had an inverse relationship with uric acid levels.
Those who drank the most coffee (roughly five cups per day) had the lowest uric acid levels among the study participants. Although both coffee and tea were tested, these results seemed to apply only to coffee. This evidence implies that compounds in coffee other than caffeine may play a role in lowering uric acid levels.
Is there a beer without purines?
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) – What beer has lowest purines? Sapporo Umami Shibori, Suntory All-Free, Asahi Dry Zero Free, Kirin Zero Ichi, and Stella Artois Solstice are examples of the lowest purine beers available. Is there a purine-free beer? Sapporo Umami Shibori, Suntory All-Free, Asahi Dry Zero Free, and Kirin Zero Ichi are all examples of purine-free beer.
Is some alcohol better for gout?
How Does Alcohol Affect Recurrent Attacks of Gout? – Recurrent attacks of gout can be triggered by various factors.2 One of the triggers is alcohol intake – especially drinking heavily or regularly.7 Drinking any type of alcohol can increase the likelihood of experiencing recurrent flares and episodes of gout, and heavier drinking is associated with a greater risk.5,8 However, even drinking moderately can dramatically increase the risk of recurrent attacks, especially for men.8 Alcohol can also lead to increased levels of uric acid in the body even if you don’t have symptoms, which can cause increased frequency of recurrent attacks and the development of complications.1,9
How do you stop gout from progressing?
How Gout Treatment Prevents Disease Progression – Fortunately, in part because of its long history, gout is one of the most well-understood and most medically treatable forms of arthritis. “The progression of gout is preventable by starting appropriate treatment as soon as possible,” Dr.
Meysami says. “Uric acid-lowering agents, such as allopurinol, can decrease uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks.” During flares, gout patients can take NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or corticosteroids to calm the attack. Local steroid injections may also be given. A medication called colchicine (Colcrys) is also often used to stop acute attacks, but it’s given now at a much lower dose in order to avoid side effects, including stomach upset.
After a flare ends, long-term treatment can begin. “Almost all people with gout will need medication to control their urate,” Dr. Fields says. “To get a good outcome, people with gout need to get their blood urate level below 6.0 mg/dl and keep it there.
By doing that, the body will gradually pull the urate crystals out of their joints, and the flares can stop.” Tophi will also gradually disappear. Medications called xanthine oxidase inhibitors limit the amount of uric acid your body produces. These include allopurinol (Zyloprim and Aloprim) and febuxostat (Uloric).
Colchicine, which decreases the inflammatory response to gout, may also be given along with allopurinol at the start of long-term treatment after a flare subsides. Another class of drugs called uricosurics help your kidneys remove uric acid from the body.
- These include probenecid (Probalan) and lesinurad (Zurampic).
- An infused drug called pegloticase (Krystexxa) can help the body eliminate uric acid in people whose gout hasn’t been well controlled with other medication.
- New medications, including a biologic currently FDA-approved for rheumatoid arthritis, are on the horizon for gout treatment as well.
Your doctor will review your medical history for any contraindications for gout medications. You may be directed to stop taking diuretics (water pills), as these can contribute to uric acid buildup. In addition to weight loss, diet, and physical exercise, talk to your doctor about any other home remedies for gout — but you’ll almost always need meds as well.
Is Coke Zero bad for gout?
Soft Drinks and Gout Risk – Several studies have found an increased gout risk from sugar-sweetened drinks, This link has been found in both men and women. One large study found that just one sugar-sweetened drink per day doubled a woman’s risk of developing gout compared with women who had less than one sugar-sweetened drink per month.
Can drinking too much water cause gout?
Drinks advice for gout patients In terms of water intake, it’s a tough choice for gout patients: what should they drink, and what should they avoid? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.1.How much water should gout patients drink? Gout patients and hyperuricemia patients are advised to drink 2000-3000 ml water every day, and the water intake should be spaced out and be done consistently throughout the day.
Two thirds of uric acid in the human body is excreted through the kidneys. So drinking more water can help keep the pH value of urine at 6.3 ~ 6.8, which can make the uric acid easy to excrete and reduce the formation of uric acid crystals. Drinking more water can also reduce the frequency of acute gout attacks and the degree of pain.
Therefore, you can also drink more water during acute attacks of gout.2.What kind of water is recommended? It is not necessary to drink small molecules water, and hot plain water is a preferred choice. There is no evidence that drinking small molecules water is related to human health.
But if you want to get small molecules water, the simplest way is to heat the water. During the heating process, the more active the water molecules are, the less likely they are to form hydrogen bonds, and the molecular groups will become smaller. Drinking water is generally neutral, but if there are mineral ions in it, it will be alkaline.
At present, there is no proven evidence that the pH value of water is related to human health. There is also limited published evidence on the effect of weak alkaline water in improving the condition of gout patients and promoting uric acid excretion.
In fact, when weak alkaline water reaches the stomach, it is neutralized by gastric acid with extremely low pH value.3.Is it necessary to drink soda water? No. The soda water sold on the market falls into two categories: natural soda water and synthetic soda water. Natural soda water contains sodium bicarbonate, which is weakly alkaline when dissolved in water.
It can also be used clinically to alkalize urine and promote uric acid excretion. However, there is no research on whether this effect can be achieved by drinking soda water. After all, in natural soda water, the concentration of sodium bicarbonate is only 300 mg / L, the effect of which is negligible.4.Can gout patients drink lemonade? Yes, lemonade is weak alkaline water.
Yes.Fermented tea is more suitable for patients with hyperuricemia.Studies have shown that drinking coffee can reduce the risk of gout attacks, but please note that the coffee referred to in the studies are black coffee.
6.Can gout patients drink wine? Try to avoid consuming alcohol. People with gout and hyperuricemia should quit drinking, because alcohol itself will lead to an increase in the level of blood’s uric acid and the production of lactic acid and inhibit the excretion of uric acid, resulting in a further increase in its level.
Is cheese bad for gout?
3. Dairy – Dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and, are low in purines, and they are a good fit for a diet to manage or prevent gout. They are good protein alternatives to meat, and reduced-fat dairy products are lower in saturated fat than full-fat ones.
How do you get rid of gout crystals in your joints?
How to break up gout crystals – Unlike a tumor, which can often be excised without affecting the surrounding tissue, there’s no way to break up gout crystals physically. Rather, the method of removing these crystals is to reverse the cause, i.e., lower uric acid levels in the blood.
Does all alcohol cause uric acid?
Beer contains high levels of purines, and drinking two beers daily can more than double your risk of developing gout, although consumption of any type of alcohol may pose additional risks. This is because alcohol increases the production of uric acid and reduces how much is removed from the body in the urine.
Can I drink whisky if my uric acid is high?
Studies have found that moderate consumption of whisky can help reduce high levels of uric acid, in turn lowering the frequency and risk of gout attacks.
What drinks should I avoid with high uric acid?
Diet details – The general principles of a gout diet follow typical healthy-diet recommendations:
- Weight loss. Being overweight increases the risk of developing gout, and losing weight lowers the risk of gout. Research suggests that reducing the number of calories and losing weight — even without a purine-restricted diet — lower uric acid levels and reduce the number of gout attacks. Losing weight also lessens the overall stress on joints.
- Complex carbs. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which provide complex carbohydrates. Avoid foods and beverages with high-fructose corn syrup, and limit consumption of naturally sweet fruit juices.
- Water. Stay well-hydrated by drinking water.
- Fats. Cut back on saturated fats from red meat, fatty poultry and high-fat dairy products.
- Proteins. Focus on lean meat and poultry, low-fat dairy and lentils as sources of protein.
Recommendations for specific foods or supplements include:
- Organ and glandular meats. Avoid meats such as liver, kidney and sweetbreads, which have high purine levels and contribute to high blood levels of uric acid.
- Red meat. Limit serving sizes of beef, lamb and pork.
- Seafood. Some types of seafood — such as anchovies, shellfish, sardines and tuna — are higher in purines than are other types. But the overall health benefits of eating fish may outweigh the risks for people with gout. Moderate portions of fish can be part of a gout diet.
- High-purine vegetables. Studies have shown that vegetables high in purines, such as asparagus and spinach, don’t increase the risk of gout or recurring gout attacks.
- Alcohol. Beer and distilled liquors are associated with an increased risk of gout and recurring attacks. Moderate consumption of wine doesn’t appear to increase the risk of gout attacks. Avoid alcohol during gout attacks, and limit alcohol, especially beer, between attacks.
- Sugary foods and beverages. Limit or avoid sugar-sweetened foods such as sweetened cereals, bakery goods and candies. Limit consumption of naturally sweet fruit juices.
- Vitamin C. Vitamin C may help lower uric acid levels. Talk to your doctor about whether a 500-milligram vitamin C supplement fits into your diet and medication plan.
- Coffee. Some research suggests that drinking coffee in moderation, especially regular caffeinated coffee, may be associated with a reduced risk of gout. Drinking coffee may not be appropriate if you have other medical conditions. Talk to your doctor about how much coffee is right for you.
- Cherries. There is some evidence that eating cherries is associated with a reduced risk of gout attacks.
What is the safest alcohol to drink?
Alcohol isn’t a healthy choice in general, but some alcohol is better for you than others. Red wine, whiskey, tequila, and hard kombucha are healthier options than beer and sugary drinks. The CDC recommends you limit alcohol to 2 drinks a day if you’re male and 1 if you’re female.
Nearly 70% of American adults drink each year. While alcohol certainly has some negative health effects, there can also be advantages to moderate consumption. “We have to clarify that alcohol is, indeed, a poison. So we’re not trying to say alcohol itself is healthy,” says Megan Kober, a registered dietitian with Metabolism Makeovers.