Gout is a painful condition that is affecting more and more people every year. It has always been speculated that alcohol is a leading cause of gout; a recent study put it to the test. Does drinking beer cause gout? Read on to find out.
What is Gout?
Gout is a painful inflammatory arthritis that commonly affects men. Gout is typified by sudden and severe pain, tenderness, and swelling in joints, usually in the big toe.
What causes Gout?
Gout is triggered by an excess of uric acid crystal deposits in the joints. These deposits provoke the immune system and an inflammatory response is produced, usually beginning in the big toe.
Some factors that may contribute to gout include:
- Genetics
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Poor dietary habits like increased alcohol and red meat intake
Recent research has highlighted alcohol, especially beer, as a certain cause of gout (1).
Alcohol and Gout
You know that gout is your body reacting to uric acid buildup in the joints. Did you know that alcohol is a large contributor of uric acid in your body?
Researchers have illuminated two ways in which alcohol factors into your risk for gout:
- Alcohol impedes removal of uric acid in the body. Alcohol is metabolized into lactic acid in the body. The lactic acid then competes with uric acid in the kidneys for elimination through urine; thus, greater levels of uric acid remain in the body.
- Alcohol contributes to uric acid levels in the body. Alcohol raises the amount of ATP that is converted into AMP-a good foundation for uric acid.
The study found that one alcoholic beverage per day was enough to significantly increase the risk of gout in that person. The risk grew as number of drinks consumed grew.
Does Drinking Beer Cause Gout?
The study reported interesting these interesting results:
- Compared with non beer drinkers, those who drank two or more servings of beer per day suffered a 2.5 times greater risk of gout.
- Compared with non liquor drinkers, those who drank two or more servings of liquor per day suffered a 1.6 times greater risk of gout.
- Wine was not associated with an increased risk of gout compared with those who did not drink wine.
Also interesting, the risk grew as servings grew. For example, the risk of gout increased by 49% with each serving of beer per day. The risk of gout was increased by 15% per serving of liquor each day.
Because liquor is more alcoholic in beer, researchers concluded that a non-alcoholic factor in beer was the real culprit of the risk.
Beer, There and Everywhere
Some researchers postulate that non-alcoholic ingredients in beer, like purines, play a factor in the risk for gout.
This is widely debatable though, as purines have also been shown to decrease the risk of gout.
Most researchers feel that the link lies in the lifestyle of the beer drinkers-those who choose to drink beer may be more likely to be less active or eat risky food than those who drink wine.
Drink to Your Health
Your best plan to steer clear of gout is to follow a healthy diet and exercise plan. Don’t drink more than 3 alcoholic beverages a night, and don’t let your drinking affect your diet and exercise plan. If you have gout and need help keeping it under control, try natural supplements guaranteed to maintain healthy uric acid levels.
(1) http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/health_news/160404gout.html
I had a flare up of gout this week and believe it was the ceral Sugar puffs that may have been the cause as it happened two years ago also when coincidently the last time I had Suggar puffs. Could this cause gout?
Hi Pat,
According to a number of sources on what sorts of food can cause gout flare ups, sugary and processed foods are on the list of potentially troublesome ones.
Since you appear to have reacted to this cereal more than once, it might be a good idea to avoid it. Try a really basic cereal without added sugars and sweeteners, maybe something like Cheerios.
Hope that helps!
I only get a flare-up between mother’s day and memorial day each year. My diet is consistent, though i am overweight by about 30 pounds. I don’t take the time to exercise and drink socially. What’s up?
Hi Aaron,
Hmm. Obviously, we can’t say for sure why you only get flare ups in the early spring. However, we have a couple of ideas:
Spring is a time when people begin to eat and drink socially more, because of the warmer weather and “outdoor” holidays. Without realizing it, you might be increasing your alcohol/purine intake a bit, and thus impacting your uric acid levels.
Is it possible that the warmer weather is encouraging you to move around more, and perhaps get minor joint injuries that aggravate your gout?
You might want to speak with your health care practitioner for a more solid explanation. In the meantime, pay close attention to what you eat and drink, and try to incorporate some safe exercise into your routine.
Hope that helps some!