Alcohol consumption increased the risk of hyperuricaemia in both males and females, with new research suggesting that even low or occasional intake may not be safe.
Hyperuricaemia, characterised by elevated uric acid levels in the blood, is a key risk factor for gout and has been associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
While alcohol intake has long been implicated in raising uric acid levels, questions have remained about whether moderate or occasional drinking carries similar risks.
Alcohol Consumption and Hyperuricemia Risk Increase
In a large population-based retrospective cohort study, researchers analysed data from 5,153 Japanese participants without hyperuricaemia at baseline. Participants were followed for an average of 5.5 years, with alcohol consumption categorised by frequency and daily intake.
Over the study period, 496 males and 128 females developed hyperuricaemia. Incidence rates rose steadily alongside alcohol consumption.
Among males, rates increased from 33.7 per 1,000 person-years in non-drinkers to 92.7 in daily drinkers consuming ≥66 g/day. A similar, though lower overall trend was observed in females, with rates rising from 6.1 to 13.4 per 1,000 person-years.
Importantly, even occasional or low-level drinking was associated with a measurable increase in risk.
Dose-Dependent Trends Observed in Both Sexes
After adjusting for multiple variables, the analysis showed a clear dose-dependent relationship between alcohol consumption and hyperuricaemia risk in both sexes.
Higher intake corresponded with progressively increased hazard ratios, reinforcing the biological link between alcohol metabolism and uric acid production.
Alcohol is known to elevate uric acid through several mechanisms, including increased purine metabolism and reduced renal excretion. These findings support the idea that even modest exposure may disrupt this balance.
Implications for Public Health Guidance
The findings challenge the notion of a “safe” level of alcohol consumption with regard to uric acid regulation. While moderate drinking has sometimes been considered acceptable in broader health contexts, this study suggests that any level of intake may contribute to hyperuricaemia risk.
For clinicians, the results highlight the importance of discussing alcohol consumption as part of risk management for patients predisposed to gout or metabolic disease.
Reference
Ueno T et al. Alcohol consumption and the incidence of hyperuricemia in Japanese men and women. Sci Rep. 2026;DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-46480-3.
Featured image: Syda Productions on Adobe Stock
