Alcohol consumption, particularly beer, increases purine levels in the body which can dissolve into uric acid and cause gout. While some believe gout is mostly caused by genetics, avoiding alcohol and reducing meat intake can reduce gout episodes and severity. Treatment options include NSAIDs and weight loss.
Researchers have demonstrated the connection between alcohol and gout, although there is still some debate as to whether gout is actually caused by alcohol or made worse by it. There’s no question that consuming alcohol, especially in the case of beer, increases purine levels in the body, and purine is a substance that eventually dissolves into uric acid, which causes gout. Some experts think that gout is mostly caused by a genetic predisposition and that alcohol is just a trigger mechanism that causes gout attacks.
Gout is a type of arthritic disease, which can be very painful and even disabling. When people suffer from it, joints in certain parts of the body swell and become somewhat immobilized. In many cases, gout tends to occur more in the lower extremities and usually starts in those areas first. It is caused by the body failing to digest uric acid properly and the acid hardens into tiny crystals. This substance will build up in a person’s joints and make it difficult for them to move.
Where the connection between alcohol and gout comes into play is with uric acid. The acid comes from purines, nutrients found in some foods. Beer has a lot of purines which is why it is more associated with gout than other types of alcohol. There’s also a lot of evidence that alcohol can make the body less efficient at clearing uric acid, so beer has the potential for a double effect when it comes to the connection between alcohol and gout. Other types of alcohol also have a significant association with gout, with the exception of very moderate consumption of red wine.
Whether or not the connection between alcohol and gout is a pure cause-and-effect relationship, there is plenty of evidence that staying away from alcohol can reduce the number of gout episodes and perhaps reduce their severity. In many cases where people have gout, doctors might recommend that a person avoid drinking alcohol as a preventative measure. There are some who say it’s okay to indulge in some alcohol, but this is controversial and many doctors recommend stopping alcohol completely. Other lifestyle changes that may help reduce gout problems include reducing meat in the diet, especially shellfish and some preserved fish.
When people suffer from gout, there are several treatment options that can reduce symptoms. A basic treatment approach is to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) which can reduce pain and inflammation. In many cases, doctors may also put a patient on a diet to lose weight, because being overweight is also associated with an increased risk of gout.
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