Alcohol and its Effect on Arthritis

Arthritis is a complicated condition that is actually more affected by outside factors than people may believe. Particular foods, beverages, and lifestyle choices can have a direct effect on arthritics symptoms and result in flare ups and a worsening of the condition. One of the foods that can be especially bothersome when it comes to affecting your arthritis is alcohol. Keep on reading to see exactly how arthritis is affected by alcohol consumption so you can make the best choice for your condition.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is any number of conditions where pain develops in the joints due to constant and repeated inflammation. There are over 100 different types of arthritis, with each one having its own set of causes and symptoms.

How Does Alcohol Affect Arthritis?

The first thing to understand is that alcohol most definitely can affect your arthritis in a negative way. But alcohol seems to only affect certain kinds of arthritis to a great extent. The arthritis type most affected by alcohol is gout, a condition defined by the buildup of uric acid in a person’s hands or feet. It is a terrifyingly painful condition.

Researchers believe that gout is in large part caused by the consumption of alcohol, which is why it affects your arthritis. This is in large part due to the fact that gout is activated by foods and drinks that contain a compound known as purine. Alcohol tends to have large amounts of purine in it.

In arthritis circles, alcohol is considered a ‘trigger food’ because it can activate arthritic flare ups. This is because alcohol is a natural diuretic; your body loses water as you drink. Low hydration levels can trigger arthritis because your joints need to be lubricated to avoid feeling discomfort.