How Much Alcohol Is Safe To Drink If You Have Gout
People with gout should limit their intake of alcohol, especially in the first six months after starting a uric acid-lowering medication such as allopurinol to manage it, suggests Dr. Fields. Once a person is on allopurinol and hasnt had any gout flares for six months, often they can liberalize their alcohol intake, at least a little, and not get flares, he says. This seems to be because the allopurinol has led to uric acid being pulled out the joints, so that there isnt an overflow situation when the uric acid suddenly rises due to alcohol.
That aforementioned American Journal of Medicine study mentioned above found that when people were on allopurinol, it helped mitigate the effects of their alcohol intake. Taking colchicine, a medicine used to treat gout flares, also helped decrease the effects of alcohol, but to a lesser extent.
If youve been diagnosed with gout and are managing it with medication for the long term, occasional intake of high-purine foods, like red meat and shellfish, and a small amount of alcohol is generally okay, says Dr. Fields. High quantities of any of these have a good chance of setting off gout flares, especially in the untreated patient or the patient early-on in the use of a medication such as allopurinol.
Wine And Plasma Antioxidant Capacity
Early studies by St Leger et al and Renaud et al demonstrated an inverse relation between incidence of coronary heart disease and wine consumption in different developed countries, which prompted the efforts to discover the mechanisms underlying the observed effects. Soon, it was recognized that polyphenolic compounds highly contained in wine, especially in red wine, were responsible for various biological effects, including potent antioxidative activity.
Antioxidative activity of polyphenols is based on two mechanisms: chelation of free metal atoms such as iron and copper, which prevents biochemical reactions generating reactive oxygen species and scavenging of free radicals as effective hydrogen donors . Indeed, Frankel et al showed in 1993 that red wine phenolics inhibited oxidation of human low-density lipoprotein in vitro .
An increase in serum antioxidant activity following ingestion of red wine was first described in 1994 by Maxwell et al . In a similar study, Whitehead et al showed that serum antioxidant capacity one hour after ingestion of 300 mL of red wine increased by 18%, which was comparable with 22% increase in serum antioxidant capacity after ingestion of 1 g of vitamin C.
Red Meat And Organ Meat
Red meat and organ meats are high in purines. Eating these foods increases the uric acid levels in the blood and the risk of gout and gout attacks.
Keep your red meat and organ meats intake low. Chicken has moderate amounts of purines, and therefore should be eaten in moderation.
Protein is important for the body, and though you may need to limit protein from some animal sources, you can still get protein from other sources. Low-fat dairy seems to decrease the risk of gout and is a good source of protein in the diet. Other protein foods you can eat include eggs, nuts and nut butters, beans, and tofu.
Meats to avoid:
- Beef, pork, and chicken livers
- Other organ meats, such as kidney or heart
- Wild game
- Red meat
- Poultry
- Processed meats, such as salami and prosciutto
Also Check: Almonds Good For Gout
Could The Mercury In Tinned Fish Be Making Arthritic Pain Worse
Q) My friend eats tinned mackerel every day and suffers from arthritis, which is worsening. I understand there’s a high content of mercury in oily fish and know that for this reason it’s only recommended that you eat it twice a week when pregnant. Might there be a connection between mercury poisoning and arthritis?
Alison, Ormskirk – 2011
A) I think the main problem with eating too much oily fish in pregnancy isn’t the mercury content but the vitamin A content. Oily fish is good for you in many ways: it’s high in vitamin D and is full of omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the heart. The omega-3 fatty acids are also of help in controlling the pain of arthritis. I think the scare with mercury related mostly to whale and dolphin but, in any case, mercury is more likely to cause damage to skin, nerves, lungs and kidneys, not arthritis. High quantities of vitamin A can harm the growing foetus, hence the strictures on oily fish intake.
This answer was provided by Dr Philip Helliwell in 2011, and was correct at the time of publication.
Can Eliminating Alcohol Reverse Gout
In a word, no. Eliminating or cutting back on alcohol alone likely wont lower uric acid levels enough to effectively treat gout. For many people with gout, the target uric acid level is less than 6 mg/dL. If a person with high levels of uric acid goes on a diet, loses weight, eliminates high-purine foods like shellfish and stops drinking beer, they can lower their uric acid from, say, 10 to 9, but usually not much lower. Dietary improvements are still not enough the patient has to be on uric acid-lowering medication at this level, says Dr. Fields.
It is a myth that gout is a dietary disease, and that watching your diet will be enough to manage gout.
Gout is a genetic disease and extremely few people can make enough of a change in their blood uric acid level with diet to control their gout, says Dr. Fields. That said, its still important for people to limit those foods and beverages mentioned as part of their treatment, especially in the first six months after they start uric acid-lowering therapy when the patient is vulnerable to flares since these foods and drinks can make gout worse. Watching your diet, especially early in treatment, can make a difference, says Dr. Fields.
Recommended Reading: Almond And Gout
Is Chocolate Good For Gout
Chocolate can lower uric acid crystallization, according to a 2018 study . Lowering uric acid crystallization can be key to controlling your gout. Chocolate has polyphenols associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Inflammation reduction is helpful in providing relief from a gout attack.
Do I Need To Stop Drinking Alcohol With Gout
Yes, its a good idea to cut out alcohol. Alcohol molecules in your body tend to increase uric acid levels, so drinking can push you over the edge and into a flare-up. If youre newly diagnosed and start taking medication, try cutting out alcohol at first. Your doctor may allow you to add a small amount back into your diet over time as your uric acid levels come down. But even then, its best to avoid beer and liquor and stick to safer choices such as red wine, Dr. Burg says.
All myths aside, the best advice for people with gout is to eat fresh, unprocessed foods. Choose complex carbohydrates over refined carbs from packaged or processed foods. And always drink plenty of water because dehydration is a risk factor for an acute attack.
Recommended Reading: Cherry Juice For Gout Mayo Clinic
Has Taking Colchicine Cured My Intolerance To Nuts
Q) As a long-term gout sufferer, I’ve been prescribed allopurinol at a hospital but it has tended to promote bouts of gout. The quick-fire cure I’ve found is colchicine, as the side-effects are not too dire. From being very young to the age of 30 I couldn’t tolerate eating peanuts or ground nuts as they caused violent stomach ache. I’ve had gout since the age of 30 and from then to my present age, 64, I’ve enjoyed eating nuts again with no traumas to my digestion. I’ve had no bouts of gout for nearly two years and wondered if this was anything to do with being able to successfully ingest nuts? Food for thought?
Bob, West Totton – 2008
A) A fascinating observation. There are two important points to come out of your letter. Firstly, when people who have gout first start allopurinol there’s a tendency for them to get acute attacks of gout. This happens during the first three months of treatment. Therefore, rheumatologists recommend taking something to help prevent these attacks . Usually that something is an anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen but it could equally be colchicine or even steroids if the other two drugs couldn’t be tolerated. Not giving this prophylaxis is the single most important reason why people don’t persist with allopurinol treatment. And allopurinol is currently the best way of preventing gout attacks.
This answer was provided by Dr Philip Helliwell in 2008, and was correct at the time of publication.
Red Wine Prevents Cartilage Damage And Protects Bones
Bone mineral density was studied by a group of scientists in individuals who consumed red wine.
It was found that red wine prevents bone loss in older men. Resveratrol prevents bone loss and promotes bone metabolism.
It stops the synthesis of vascular endothelial growth factor that suppresses activation of kinases in osteoblasts . This is preventive for cartilage damage.
What does this mean? Red wine polyphenols prevent the progression of arthritis by inhibiting bone and cartilage loss. It can prove very useful in treating osteoarthritis.
You May Like: Are Oranges Good For Gout
What Is The Best Alcoholic Drink For Gout Patients
I know alcoholic drinks are “restricted items” for a gout patient diet list. So just wanted to check if we have any specialist here 🙂
Which drink is less imapct ? Beer/Wine/Other Liquors ?
- he he…. True 🙂
The answer to this question is going to differ from person to person, since gout sufferers react differently to both diet and alcohol. For some individuals alcohol increases pain in gout sufferers, while in others it decreases their pain. One has to know how to micro-manage their personal diets and alcohol consumption.
For those who want to micro-manage their gout diet, you should know that there is never a single best alcoholic beverage. You know that your overall diet needs change at different times in your gout treatment plan. This applies equally to alcohol.
You should know that the affects of alcohol are different for every gout sufferer. For that reason, I urge you to get a personal gout management plan from your doctor. – What Is The Best Alcoholic Beverage To Drink With Gout?
Gout attacks rise with when your diet is high in purines. Purines are found in high-protein foods, and they are also found in some drinks.
It seems that wine, whiskey or scotch may be a reasonable substitute for beer if drank in moderation or small amounts.
The Lancet Journal “interprets” their findings as such:
Resveratrol In Red Wine Can Regulate Immune Responses In Arthritis
Resveratrol has shown to modulate inflammatory arthritis in rodents by suppressing the immune responses, both cellular and humoral, thereby inhibiting the development of the disease.
Intake of red wine can reduce the intensity and severity of rheumatoid arthritis which is caused due to altered immune response in the patient.
Low levels of inflammatory cytokines and T helper cells were found in patients, showing arthritis protective effects.
What does this mean? Rheumatoid arthritis can be prevented by consumption of red wine as it modulates the immune response and alleviates the symptoms of the disease.
Recommended Reading: Allopurinol Side Effects Alcohol
Should I Avoid All Rich Foods
No. Patients often ask me about desserts, as well as entrees with rich sauces, says Dr. Burg. Its a common myth that these foods cause gout. When eaten in moderation, desserts and other rich foods do not affect gout flare-ups. But moderation is the key word. Rich foods might not cause flare-ups directly, but they can cause weight gain. And obesity is a major risk factor for gout attacks.
At some point, the misconception spread that people with gout should avoid dairy. But in fact, certain dairy products especially milk can help you remove uric acid from your body, Dr. Burg adds.
It Can Lead To Nausea
It’s no surprise to anyone that when you drink too much, throwing up is a likely consequence. Vomiting is one of the body’s ways of getting rid of toxins, especially excess toxins from drinking too much alcohol. This can happen with every type of alcoholic beverage, including wine.
While nausea and vomiting are uncomfortable and painful for many people, persistent vomiting can also lead to serious health problems, including inflaming the stomach and esophagus, acid reflux, and tearing the esophageal lining.
Recommended Reading: Is Onion Bad For Gout
Can Protein Supplements Cause Arthritis
Q) Is there any evidence to show that taking protein supplements can cause or worsen arthritis?
Antony – 2017
A) If you’re at risk of gout, excessive protein intake may be problematic. Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis and is caused by having too much uric acid in your bloodstream. Uric acid is the waste product created when the body breaks down purines a type of protein found in many foods and all your cells.
Gout is a metabolic disease which is mainly influenced by our genes, age, gender and ethnicity. However, levels of uric acid are also affected by what we eat. If you’re at risk of gout, eating a lot of protein in the form of red meat, soya or shellfish, all high in purines, makes attacks more likely. So, eating lots of protein is bad news for people with gout.
Protein supplements in the form of whey proteins contain gycomacropeptide, a component of milk that appears to reduce the risk of attacks of gout. However, people with gout should be careful about increasing their protein load with whey. The burden on the kidneys to excrete or clear the extra whey products might become excessive, so its always worth getting a blood test to check your kidney function if you have gout and are considering using whey protein supplements.
This answer was provided by Dr Tom Margham in 2017, and was correct at the time of publication.
Is Gin And Tonic Bad For Gout
Is gin and tonic bad for gout? Its good for your bones.Gins makeup helps to relieve achy joints and gout, and its alcohol content coupled with the juniper berries can be an effective treatment for chronic pain and inflammations, such as arthritis.
Can I drink gin if I have gout? The study concluded with the recommendation that people with established gout should, to lower their risk of recurrent gout attacks, avoid drinking alcohol.
What is the best thing to drink if you have gout? Drink plenty of water, milk and tart cherry juice. Drinking coffee seems to help as well. Be sure to talk with your doctor before making any dietary changes.
Is Gin the worst alcohol for you? Gin has less sugar and fewer calories than some other liquors. If you already consume alcohol, gin may be a slightly healthier option. Be careful with mixers, however. They can make the sugar content of your drink skyrocket.
Don’t Miss: Allopurinol And Alcohol Interaction
It Can Irritate The Gi Tract
Whether it’s a faucet, a water bottle, or, well, a gut, nothing that can be described as leaky sounds like a really great time. But according to certified nutritionist Bonnie Flemington, drinking alcoholincluding winecan result in leaky gut syndrome and irritate the body’s gastrointestinal tract.
“It does this by creating imbalances in our gut bacteria as well as increasing the permeability of the intestinal lining ,” says Flemington.
She added that these complications can lead to symptoms including joint aches and pains.
Red Wine Is A Natural Antimicrobial Agent
The polyphenols in red wine have broad-spectrum activity against bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringes, Bacillus sp., Klebsiella sp.
S. aureus is the leading causWine septic arthritis, and red wine has an anti-microbial action against S. aureus, thus making it an effective natural remedy for septic arthritis.
What does this mean? The polyphenolic compounds in red wine specifically inhibit S.aureus, the major causative agent of septic arthritis. Red wine can be an alternative to antibiotics used to treat the same.
Recommended Reading: Are Almonds High In Purines
What Do You Know About Hair Loss
- Keep in mind that even if you eat a good low purine diet everyday and just this once you want to eat a really high purine food the problem is not only higher uric acid, but also a sudden change in uric acid both of which can cause a gout flare up. All gout sufferers are not the same and do not respond to the same triggers. So pay attention to what caused your gout attack: Did you have shrimp three days in a row, or a wild birthday party in which you drank far too much or maybe some stressful situation.
- In any case if you have gout, a low purine diet will help keep it under control.
Which Type Of Alcohol Is The Worst For Gout
All types of alcohol affect gout, but the impact on flares and symptoms may vary by type of alcohol, depending on which studies you look at. Some research suggests that beer is especially bad for gout because it contains higher levels of purines that break down directly into uric acid.
A 2004 study published in the medical journal The Lancet found that alcohol is strongly associated with an increased risk of gout, the study authors concluded. Risks varied according to type of alcoholic beverage:
- Two or more beers daily increased gout risk over non-beer drinkers two-fold
- Two shots of spirits daily increased gout risk over non-drinkers by 1.6 times
- Two four-ounce glasses of wine daily was not associated with a higher risk of gout
However, other research has found a link between wine consumption and gout risk. A study published in the American Journal of Medicine in 2014 looked at how much alcohol consumed over a 24-hour period was associated with a recurring gout attack. It found that all types of alcoholic beverages, including wine, were associated with an increased risk for recurrent gout attacks. Even though one drink didnt raise the subjects risk for a gout attack by that much, having one to two drinks in a 24-hour period was associated with a 36 percent higher risk of recurrent gout attack, compared with those who had consumed no alcohol in that time period.
You May Like: Is Pistachio Bad For Gout