The study also looked at the role alcohol consumption plays in gout. The risk of gout increased by 30% by consuming one drink a day, compared to people who did not drink alcohol at all. Two drinks a day increased the risk to 50% and three drinks a day increased the risk by 100 percent.
There were some differences in the types of alcohol consumed. Two glasses of wine a day did not increase the risk of gout at all when compared to men who drank no wine. Alcohol other than beer or wine increased the risk by 15% per serving. Beer increased the risk by 49 % per serving.
Researchers are uncertain why the risk of gout varies depending on the type of alcohol consumed. Some suggest that other non-alcoholic ingredients in beer that are not found in wine or spirits may be responsible for increased risk of gout.
