The accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints causes gout, a form of arthritis. There are millions of people all around the globe who suffer from this terrible and crippling ailment. Gout can develop for a variety of reasons, some of which include food, others heredity, and one’s way of life. If you suffer from gout, you may be wondering if tequila is safe to consume.
Ankylosis of the joints because of the buildup of uric acid crystals is known as gout. Purines are present in a wide variety of foods and beverages; when broken down by the body, they form uric acid. Crystals formed by an excess of uric acid in the body can lead to joint swelling, inflammation, discomfort, and soreness.
Even while it can strike anyone, males are more likely to suffer from gout than women. Genetics, obesity, hypertension, and renal disease are some of the risk factors for getting gout. The risk of gout can be increased by some drugs, including aspirin and diuretics. Joint redness, swelling, stiffness, and acute, severe pain are common symptoms of gout, however, they might differ from person to person. Even the slightest pressure, like a bedsheet, can be excruciatingly painful. A gout episode could be short-lived (a few days to a few weeks) or long-lasting (recurring).
A Link Between Alcohol and Gout
Although there are numerous potential causes of gout, heavy alcohol use is among the more prominent and extensively researched ones. The purines included in alcohol are hydrolyzed into uric acid by the body. Gout attacks occur when crystals develop in the joints as a result of elevated blood uric acid levels. A higher chance of developing gout is connected with alcohol intake, and the risk rises with increasing amounts of alcohol taken, according to studies.
The incidence of gout was 2.5 times higher in men who drank more than two drinks daily compared to non-drinkers, according to one study. Gout was 1.5 times as common in women who drank alcohol more than once daily compared to non-drinking women, according to another study.
Although any kind of alcohol might increase the risk of gout, certain kinds are more harmful than others. One example is beer, which is known to raise the risk of gout attacks due to its high purine content. However, research has found that gout risk is lessened by wine and spirits.
The blue agave plant is the source of the alcohol known as tequila. There are a lot of individuals throughout the world who love this drink. On the other hand, gout sufferers may wonder if tequila aggravates their condition.
For some, tequila might make gout symptoms worse. The purines included in tequila and other alcoholic drinks are hydrolyzed into uric acid. Gout occurs when the body’s uric acid levels are too high. Thus, gout sufferers should cut back on tequila and other alcoholic drinks significantly.
The simple answer, according to GoutPal Gout Help, is no; tequila is not harmful to gout. They elaborate on how various gout sufferers can experience alcohol’s effects in different ways. People should talk to their doctors before drinking alcohol because of this reasoning.
To reduce the chances of gout attacks and other health problems linked to drinking too much alcohol, AtOnce suggests drinking moderately. If you want to reduce your risk of gout attacks and other health problems linked to drinking too much alcohol, try cutting back to one or two standard drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
The Role of Tequila in Research on Gout
Numerous scientific investigations have sought to establish a causal link between tequila and gout. Some research has linked tequila to an increase in gout symptoms, while other investigations have failed to find any link at all. Research suggests that tequila may aggravate gout symptoms. The purines included in most alcoholic drinks, especially beer, are hydrolyzed into uric acid. The accumulation of crystallized uric acid in the body’s joints, fluids, and tissues is the underlying cause of gout. So, those who suffer from gout should stay away from tequila and other alcoholic drinks.
A study released in 2023 by the National Center for Biotechnology indicated that the number of genetically predicted drinks drank per week does not affect the incidence of gout or serum uric acid levels, according to Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. According to the results, drinking tequila does not increase the risk of developing gout.
It should be mentioned that although there has been some research indicating a possible connection between tequila and gout, definitive proof is still lacking. To get a better grasp on how tequila affects gout, more studies are required.
Benefits of Drinking Tequila for Gout
There may be some health benefits to consuming tequila in moderation. The non-absorbing sugar in tequila, called agavins, may aid in lowering blood sugar levels, says WebMD. In comparison to other drinks, tequila has fewer calories and may even be good for your colon.
Negative Effects of Tequila on Gout
However, tequila’s purine concentration makes it a potential gout aggravator. Many common meals and beverages contain purines, which can be converted to uric acid. If you drink tequila, your body may produce more purines, which could raise your uric acid levels and set off gout attacks.
If you really must have a beer, go for low-purine varieties. Uric acid, a byproduct of purine metabolism, can set off gout attacks. The following are examples of low-purine beers:
- Miller Lite
- Budweiser Select 55
- Michelob Ultra
- Coors Light
Wine
Wine, unlike beer, has a lower purine level, hence it is typically safe for gout patients to drink. Resveratrol, an anti-inflammatory chemical, is abundant in red wine. Be careful not to overindulge in sweet wines because of their high sugar content.
Beverages Free of Alcohol
Gout sufferers who prefer to abstain from alcohol can find a wide variety of safe non-alcoholic drinks. Just a few possibilities are:
- Hydrate yourself with water
- Tea with herbs
- Juice that has been squeezed fresh
- Hydrating coconut
Questions You May Be Asking
Can Someone With Gout Drink Gin Without Risk?
Gin is an alcoholic beverage produced by distilling juniper berries together with additional botanicals. Gin doesn’t have purines, which are gout triggers, but it’s still an alcoholic drink that can make you urinate more than you would otherwise. As a result, those who suffer from gout should cut back on their gin usage.
Is It Possible to Have a Gout Attack After Drinking Red Wine?
A gout attack can be triggered by the moderate amount of purines found in red wine. Red wine may protect against gout if used moderately (no more than two glasses per day for men and one glass per day for women), according to studies. Be warned that gout attacks can be more frequent in those who drink too much red wine.
If You Have Gout, Which Types of Alcohol Are Safe to Drink?
Since they have fewer purines than beer and wine, clear spirits like vodka and gin are typically thought to be the safest alcoholic beverages to ingest with gout. But remember to drink moderately and talk to your doctor before you start drinking heavily.
How Does Alcohol-induced Gout Manifest Itself?
In both alcohol-induced and non-alcoholic forms of gout, the symptoms are very similar. Joint swelling, redness, warmth, and acute, severe pain are among these symptoms. Occasionally, people may also feel a high temperature.
Does Gout Relief Come From Cutting Back on Alcohol?
One way to lessen the impact of gout episodes is to cut back or cut out alcohol altogether. A buildup of urate crystals in the joints can occur as a result of alcohol’s effect on the body’s uric acid synthesis. People who suffer from gout might lessen their risk of future attacks by cutting back or eliminating alcohol from their diet.
If You Suffer From Gout, is It Ok to Drink Non-alcoholic Beer?
People with gout can usually drink non-alcoholic beer without worry because it has a much lower purine content. Even non-alcoholic beers have a small amount of alcohol, and drinking too much of either can bring on a gout attack. It is advised that people with gout drink non-alcoholic beer moderately, just like any other alcoholic beverage.
Produced mostly in Mexico, tequila is an alcoholic drink created from the blue agave plant. The accumulation of uric acid crystals in the joints, however, causes gout, a type of arthritis. The search results indicate that tequila’s purines can aggravate gout symptoms by causing hyperuricemia (the buildup of uric acid in the blood). But tequila’s special qualities have led some to suggest it may help gout patients.
Keep in mind that tequila’s impact on gout can differ from one person to the next based on factors including kidney function and gout stage. This is why anyone with gout should talk to their doctor before drinking tequila or any other alcoholic drink. The purine level of tequila makes it generally unadvisable for gout sufferers, while it may have some possible benefits. If you want to get gout under control, cutting back or cutting off alcohol is your best bet.