Wine

Alcohol is a well-established gout trigger, and wine is no exception. When the liver processes alcohol, purine breakdown accelerates, raising uric acid production, while lactic acid buildup competes with uric acid for excretion through the kidneys. The net result is higher serum uric acid and a greater chance of flares.

Among alcoholic drinks, wine carries the lowest gout risk. Beer contains purine-rich yeast and heavy alcohol, and spirits deliver alcohol quickly; wine sits between them. Studies like the landmark 2004 Choi cohort found that beer and spirits increased gout risk substantially, while moderate wine drinking showed a smaller, not always significant, association. Red wine's polyphenols may dampen inflammation, but they cannot neutralize the uric acid load.

Practical tips: if you drink, choose one small glass (around 150 ml) of wine on special occasions, not daily. Avoid wine entirely during an active flare, when uric acid is above target, or if you have kidney impairment. Pair wine with water and food, and track how your body responds — some people with gout are sensitive to even one glass. For most, moderation means treating wine as a rare treat, not a habit.