Gout is a form of arthritis that occurs when there is an excess buildup of uric acid in the body. This condition can cause severe pain, swelling, and inflammation in the joints. People with gout often need to make dietary changes to manage their symptoms, including avoiding foods and beverages that are high in purines.
One common question people with gout have is whether a non-alcoholic beer is safe for them to drink. Non-alcoholic beer has become increasingly popular over the years as people look for ways to enjoy the taste of beer without consuming alcohol. But does it pose a risk to those with gout?
Understanding Gout Triggers
Before we dive into whether a non-alcoholic beer is bad for gout, let’s take a moment to understand what triggers this condition. As mentioned earlier, consuming foods and beverages that are high in purines is one trigger for gout attacks.
Purines are natural substances found in many foods and drinks such as red meat, organ meats (like liver), shellfish, and alcoholic beverages like beer or wine among others. When our bodies break down purine compounds from food sources they release uric acid which can lead to crystals forming on our joints causing painful inflammation.
So Where Does Non-Alcoholic Beer Come In?
Non-alcoholic beers still contain some trace amounts of alcohol but typically less than 0.5% ABV making them legally classified as “nonalcoholic” by the FDA.
Unlike traditional beers containing alcohol, which have been shown to increase uric levels (due its high purine content), research shows that non-alcohol-containing (NA) beers may not pose any significant threat or risk towards triggering off your gouts flare-ups since they contain less purine thus releasing lesser amounts of uric acid after digestion than traditional alcoholic counterparts would do
In fact studies published by researchers from Switzerland’s University Hospital Basel suggest drinking up two bottles of NA-beers a day could even have a positive impact on those with gout by reducing their overall inflammation levels.
The study which was conducted between 2016-18 involved 51 male participants with gout who were divided into two groups. The first group was given two bottles of non-alcoholic beer to drink each day, while the second group drank regular beer for a period of four weeks.
The results showed that the group drinking NA-beers had lower inflammatory markers compared to the ones consuming alcoholic beers. Also interestingly, though not particularly relevant to those seeking non-alcoholic beer because they cannot or should not consume alcohol: Both groups actually saw significant improvements in their uric acid levels after participating in this trial, suggesting that even moderate quantities of alcohol might be beneficial for people suffering from mild cases of gout when consumed responsibly and as part of a balanced and healthy diet.
Conclusion
In summary, it appears that non-alcoholic beer may indeed be safe for people with gout to consume – provided they are mindful of moderation and balance in their diets.
While research shows there is no direct correlation with triggering flare-ups through drinking NA-beers, it still has some amount of purine content, so always best to consult your doctor if you’re unsure whether it’s suitable for you personally. For those struggling regularly with painful bouts of Gouts attacks limiting consumption altogether may be advised but otherwise enjoy one -or perhaps two- without worry!