What to know about the impact of beer on gout

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Alcohol contains organic compounds called purines, which the body breaks down and converts to uric acid. Overproduction of uric acid can lead to hyperuricemia.

Hyperuricemia increases the risk of gout. This is because excess uric acid within the blood can crystallize and form deposits within the joints.

A 2021 review found that most studies linked gout to the consumption of alcoholic beverages, such as beer and spirits. The researchers recommended that people with gout, as well as those at risk of developing the disease, limit their alcohol consumption to prevent gout episodes or flares.

Different types of alcohol contain different types and amounts of purines. Beer is high in a type of purine called guanosine.

Besides consuming alcoholic beverages such as beer, other risk factors for gout include:

• having a family history of gout
• being male
• having obesity
• drinking beverages that have a high sugar content
• consuming a diet that is high in purine-rich foods, such as:
  • red meat
  • organ meat
  • seafood
• taking diuretics or water pills
• living with one of the following health conditions:
  • high blood pressure
  • diabetes
  • metabolic syndrome
  • poor kidney function, or chronic kidney disease
  • congestive heart failure

There is currently no cure for gout. However, treatments can slow the progression of the disease and reduce the frequency and severity of gout flares.

A doctor may recommend one of the following medications to treat inflammation and pain during a gout flare:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• colchicine
• corticosteroids

If a person experiences two or more gout flares a year, their doctor may recommend that they take medication to reduce levels of uric acid in their body. This will also help to reduce the risk of permanent joint damage.

Medication options include:

• probenecid
• allopurinol
• febuxostat
• pegloticase

A 2019 study measured the purine content of different foods, alcoholic beverages, and supplements. The study found the highest levels in beer and certain animal-based products.

An older study from 2014 investigated the risk of gout flares according to the quantity of alcohol a person consumes. The study found that a person consuming 1–2 alcoholic beverages a day was at a much higher risk of developing a gout flare than a person who had no alcohol in a 24-hour timeframe.

The study also found that the reaction time between drinking alcohol and the development of a gout flare was rapid, occurring within 24 hours.

The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism provides general guidelines for adults regarding drinking in moderation. They state that males should limit their alcohol intake to two drinks or less per day, while females should limit their intake to one drink or less per day.

However, if a person is experiencing a gout flare, they may wish to avoid alcohol until their gout is under control with medication.

The older 2014 study found that consuming beer, wine, or liquor was associated with an increased risk of recurrent gout flares. As such, the study authors advised that people with gout limit their intake of all types of alcohol to reduce their risk of recurrent flares.

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that develops in response to hyperuricemia, which is the medical term for excess uric acid levels in the blood. A person may develop hyperuricemia due to consuming a purine-rich diet. Beer and other types of alcohol are high in purines, so consuming alcohol may increase the risk of a gout flare.

A person who has gout may wish to limit or avoid alcohol, particularly if they are experiencing a gout flare.

Anyone who experiences difficulty limiting their alcohol intake should talk with their doctor for further advice and guidance.