Like many alcohol-related side effects, alcohol can be gout’s BFF and fuel those painful flare-ups. Traditional beers are known for their high purine content, which is why many people who suffer from gout avoid beer and other alcoholic drinks. But what about non-alcoholic beer without alcohol? Is non-alcoholic beer bad for gout? Here’s what experts have to say.
Alcohol And Gout
Gout is a form of arthritis caused by an overabundance of uric acid buildup in the body, resulting in painful joint flare-ups. Those afflicted with this condition experience discomfort, swelling, and inflammation in their joints, often requiring them to steer clear of foods high in purines, such as red meat, shellfish, and alcoholic beverages, as these substances can trigger painful flare-ups.
Research has also shown that the more alcohol you drink, the worse your gout gets because alcohol increases serum uric acid concentrations. Furthermore, beer is even worse for gout sufferers than wine as it contains not just alcohol but also purines found in yeast and barley.
Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Bad For Gout?
Despite the lack of alcohol, non-alcoholic beers do trigger those painful joint flare-ups. That is because alcohol isn’t the only contributing factor to a gout flare-up.
Since non-alcoholic beers use the same yeast and barley as traditional beers, they contain purines that can lead to gout flare-ups. Some studies have even shown that certain non-alcoholic beers contain more purines than traditional beers.
Besides yeast, malts can also contain purines. The best type of malts for gout sufferers would be malted grains, because they contain very low levels of purine as compared to other types of malts. Barley is a grain that is commonly found in non-alcoholic beers and it contains moderate levels of purines.
Also Read: Non-Alcoholic Wine And Gout: Is Non-Alcoholic Wine Bad for Gout?
Table comparison of purine content across different non-alcoholic & alcoholic beers
| Purine (mg/100g) | Purine (mg)/Serving | Serving(g) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Alcoholic Beer | 4mg | 14mg | 330g |
| Alcoholic Beer (Malts) | 10mg | 50mg | 500g |
| Alcoholic Beer (Light) | 4mg | 20mg | 500g |
| Alcoholic Beer (Pils) | 4mg | 20mg | 500g |
However, choosing non-alcoholic beer over alcoholic beer is better for gout sufferers because the absence of alcohol lowers the risk of a flare-up. Just remember to consume non-alcoholic beer in moderation, as too much of it can still contribute to increased uric acid levels.
Purine-Free Non-Alcoholic Beer
If you’re looking for non-alcoholic beers with low purine levels, pick light beers and Pils over darker, malty non-alcoholic beers. You’ll want to also check the label and pick beers with no yeast on the ingredients list.
Beer is a fermented beverage, and yeast is an integral part of its brewing process. Nonetheless, many mass-produced breweries employ methods like filtration, pasteurization, or fining to eliminate or deactivate the yeast that lingers in the beer following fermentation – unless the yeast is part of the flavor profile (for example, hazy IPA and Hefeweizen).
While none of the non-alcoholic beers below are purine-free, they have lower purine content when compared to other non-alcoholic beers. If you want to really skip the yeast and barley, check out our list of best hop waters – they taste hoppy like beer but are just water brewed with hops!
Budweiser Zero
Made with barley, rice, hops, and water, Bud Zero is a low-purine non-alcoholic beer that is easy to find and convenient to grab on your way home. While it might not be the most flavorful option among alcohol-free beers, its advantage lies in its widespread availability across supermarkets and gas stations in the United States.
The taste closely resembles the classic Budweiser, which is a positive aspect for those seeking that particular flavor. If this isn’t your preference, the taste profile might not leave you particularly impressed. Nevertheless, when you’re in need and aiming for a beer suitable for people with gout, Bud Zero serves as a viable choice.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailers Proof No More (within United States) or Wise Bartender (within the UK).
Buckler Non-Alcoholic Lager
The first time I had a Buckler, it reminded me of Heineken 0.0. Well, wouldn’t you know it, Buckler is actually made by Heineken in the Netherlands. Buckler is brewed with water, malted barley, and hops, and has the classic crisp and clean European lager taste.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailers Proof No More (within United States).
Peroni Nastro Azzurro Zero
Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0 is an alcohol-free beer by Italy’s renowned Peroni brewery. Brewed with water, barley malt, Italian maize, hops, and natural flavors, the result is a gentle and pleasing palate. It boasts a mild sweetness enriched with fruity undertones, accompanied by a delicate touch of bitter hops.
This crisp Italian lager might not impress if you lean towards more intricate or robust flavor profiles, but you’ll enjoy it if you like clean, light, and crisp lagers.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailers Proof No More (within United States) or Dry Drinker (within the UK).
Stella Artois Liberte
This Belgian non-alcoholic beer is brewed by Stella’s parent company AB InBev, and made from water, barley malt, cane sugar, natural flavors, and hops. While it is not one of our favorite non-alcoholic beers that we’ve tasted and reviewed, it is widely available and convenient to find while on the go.
Order from non-alcoholic drink retailers Proof No More or Amazon (within United States). It is available for purchase in the UK from Dry Drinker or on Amazon UK.
Suntory ALL-FREE
Made with two-row barley, aroma hops, and natural mineral water from water resources in Japan, this very-light Japanese non-alcoholic beer from one of Japan’s oldest beverage companies is also a low-calorie beer!
Taste-wise, it doesn’t entirely mimic beer, but it brings to mind the experience of sipping hop-infused water due to its prominent malty taste and lively carbonation. When you yearn for a revitalizing non-alcoholic beer alternative that’s light on purines, Suntory ALL-FREE is an excellent beer choice.
Order Suntory ALL-FREE from Amazon United States.
Conclusion
Sadly, non-alcoholic beer is not better for gout sufferers than traditional beers since the purine content doesn’t improve significantly in non-alcoholic beer. While there can be some variance in purine levels across all beer types, on the whole, the purine levels in non-alcoholic beers are quite comparable. Ultimately, it’s better to focus on the beer’s style and the filtration procedure rather than its alcohol content.