Gout risk factors include high body mass (BMI), hypertension and older age. Gout can also be exacerbated by a diet high in purines. There are many questions about alcohol and its relationship to gout. Numerous studies have been conducted and they all show a direct correlation between alcohol intake and gout. What does this all mean for you, a gout sufferer. Medical evidence supports the claim that alcohol consumption causes a decrease in urate excretion. These findings also indicate that different alcoholic beverages have different purine contents.
Purine
Guanosine is a purine found in beer. Guanosine, a purine that is linked to ribose, is known as guanosine. Beer is the most harmful type of alcohol for gout. Gout risk was increased by drinking alcohol as low as 10.0 to 14.9 grams per day. It was then found that men who consume 50 g or more alcohol per day have a 2.5-fold higher risk of developing gout. It was found that alcohol consumption was the most dangerous, but moderate wine consumption did not increase incident gout risk.
Another finding was that men who drank more alcohol per day had twice the chance of developing gout than men who didn’t drink. Interestingly, beer drinkers increase their risk by 50% per daily intake! However, hard liquor drinkers were found to have a 15% higher risk of developing gout.
Research
Research has also shown that beer consumption can lead to gout because of its high purine content. Scientists believe that any purine compound in food will be broken down into uric acid when it is digested. Urine output is the main route that uric acid leaves the body. The blood levels of uric acid can rise to dangerous levels if the kidneys are unable to process the entire amount.
The crystal deposits of uric acid in the joints can cause gout. Gout and alcohol can also be discussed from the other side. Some people who drink alcohol and have gout believe that alcohol naturally dims pain.
Conclusion
Those who stand while drinking rather than sitting at a bar encourage exercise and discourage people from staying too long at the bar. They also believe that moderation is relaxing and will help to counter the effects associated with gout. These thoughts are still being debated.