Alcohol contains purines, which the body turns into uric acid. Alcohol also prevents uric acid from leaving the body. High levels of uric acid can cause gout. All types of alcohol, including wine, may increase uric acid levels and gout flares.

However, a person should avoid drinking any alcohol during a gout flare-up.

This article looks at the effects of wine, specifically on gout, and whether it may trigger or worsen gout flares. It will also look at the impact of other types of alcoholic drinks on gout.

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People with gout may need to avoid or limit alcoholic drinks, as they are high in purines.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, all types of alcohol are high in purines, and experts recommend limiting the consumption of purines to help manage gout.

According to a 2021 review of research, multiple studies suggest that beer and spirits are triggers for gout, but only some research adds wine as a gout trigger.

Older research from 2004 suggests there is no association between wine and gout risk. Additionally, some researchers believe moderate wine consumption might help lower uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks due to its antioxidant properties. However, experts have not proven this theory.

Most research in the 2021 review found a link between occasional alcohol consumption and gout flares, regardless of the type of alcohol people consume.

The authors of the review recommend that people with gout, or at risk of developing gout, limit their intake of all types of alcohol to help prevent gout or gout flares.

Does it make a difference if a person drinks red or white wine?

Both red and white wine can increase the risk of gout flares.

Limiting intake of all types of alcohol can help reduce uric acid levels in the blood and help prevent gout.

A person with gout may be able to drink nonalcoholic wine.

Nonalcoholic wines contain 0.5% or less alcohol. The benefits of nonalcoholic wine include being low in sugar and calories and high in antioxidants.

Research has linked cherries with reduced uric acid levels and fewer gout flares. This includes tart cherries, cherry concentrate, and cherry supplements.

Cherries contain anthocyanins, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and may protect against gout.

However, all types of alcohol increase the risk of gout flares, so people may want to opt for tart cherry juice instead of cherry wine.

The Arthritis Foundation advises people to avoid all alcohol during a gout flare-up.

Instead, people can aim to drink 8–16 cups of nonalcoholic fluids daily, with at least half of these being water. This helps the body flush out excess uric acid and prevents other conditions, such as kidney stones.

According to a 2019 review, research has found beer to have the highest link to gout risk of all the types of alcohol.

Among all alcoholic beverages, beer has the highest levels of adenine and hypoxanthine — two types of purines.

Learn more about alcohol intake and gout.

Other lifestyle changes that may help manage gout include:

  • achieving and maintaining a moderate body mass index (BMI)
  • eating a diet that limits or avoids high purine foods, such as red meat, organ meats, seafood, and high fructose corn syrup
  • following a healthy diet, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, which focuses on eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat dairy, and lean meat, such as poultry

Medications may also be necessary for managing frequent gout flares or severe symptoms. During a gout flare, resting and elevating the affected area and applying ice may help ease symptoms.

Learn more

Learn more about treating gout with diet and home remedies:

A person with gout may be able to drink wine in moderation. While older research suggested that wine may affect gout less than other types of alcohol, newer studies suggest that all types of alcohol may increase uric acid levels.

Limiting overall alcohol intake, in addition to pursuing other gout treatments and lifestyle changes, may help manage gout and flares.