In response to the social health boom, we often see beverages that advertise "zero purine" these days. Purine is known to cause gout and other conditions, so some people may avoid beer, which contains a lot of it. However, purine is an essential component of the body, and is also produced by humans themselves.

Here, we will look at what purines are and consider the correct way to drink beer.

What are purines anyway? What's wrong with them?

Some people may think that "purine = beer". However, purine is also found in meat, fish, grains, and vegetables. Purine is one of the energy transmitters necessary for the body to function, and humans need a certain amount of it. Also, although it can be ingested from food, about 80% of it is produced in the body.

The reason why purines are avoided is that when purines are broken down, they turn into a substance called uric acid, which can cause hyperuricemia and gout.Normal amounts of purines are converted into uric acid in the liver during the energy metabolism process, and then excreted through the kidneys and intestines.

However, if the amount of uric acid becomes excessive due to some problem, it becomes easier to develop hyperuricemia and gout. Furthermore, hyperuricemia can cause complications such as hyperlipidemia, high blood pressure, urinary stones, and kidney damage, increasing the risk of serious illness.

Is beer really bad?

Purines are also the umami component in food, which is why gout is also known as the gourmet's disease. Purines are also produced during alcohol metabolism. Therefore, if you continue to overeat and drink, you may develop diseases caused by purines.

Purine content per 100g of alcoholic beverage

Let's take a look at the relationship between beer and purines. The amount of purines contained in 100g of commonly consumed alcohol is as follows:

Beer: 5.7 mg
・Sake: 1.5mg
Wine: 0.4 mg
Whiskey: 0.1mg
・Shochu: 0.1mg
※Reference: Beer Breweries Association

As you can see from the above, beer certainly contains a lot of purines among alcoholic beverages. Distilled alcohol does not contain much, but brewed alcohol tends to have more. Furthermore, there is also the problem that alcohol itself increases blood uric acid levels. In fact, it has been reported that if you continue to drink beer every day, even if it is not a large amount, your serum uric acid level will increase after a few years, so you need to be careful.

Healthy foods that contain large amounts of purines

On the other hand, there are many foods other than beer that contain a lot of purines. For example, foods that may seem healthy at first glance, such as dried sardines, dried bonito flakes, dried shiitake mushrooms, liver, whole dried sardines, Taisho shrimp, and horse mackerel, contain 100 to 400 mg per 100 g, which is much higher than beer.

Considering this, it cannot be said that beer is the only cause of the disease. In fact, it is said that 20-30% of hyperuricemia is caused by diet and alcohol, and 70-80% is caused by constitution. Therefore, if the symptoms are worsening, it is difficult to improve the condition by simply abstaining from beer or following a dietary regimen.

The onset of purine-related diseases is thought to be caused by lifestyle habits such as obesity, dehydration, overeating, and drinking too much, in addition to one's constitution.

The right way to drink beer

When considering beer and its purines, what should you be aware of? First of all, you should know that "avoiding beer does not necessarily mean you will not get gout." Some people choose shochu, thinking that "it's okay not to drink beer," but even if shochu contains less purines, it cannot be said that it is better than beer.

Purines are produced in the body during the process of breaking down alcohol. It can be said that consuming large amounts of alcohol increases the risk in either case. Similarly, even drinks with zero purines can have an effect due to alcohol. However, it can also be said that continuing to drink beer increases the risk due to the effects of the purines and alcohol contained in it.

The recommended limit for beer consumption without adverse effects on purines is 500ml per day. If you are concerned about purines, it is important to maintain a sense of balance by consuming foods that lower uric acid levels, such as nuts, cheese, eggs, tofu, and edamame. Eating liver as a snack with beer and finishing off with seafood-based ramen is a high-risk lifestyle when it comes to purines.

The most important thing is to not just think of beer as bad, but to think of it in terms of pros and cons.

summary

If your uric acid level is high, it is wise to follow your doctor's advice on your diet.
・Don't make the mistake of thinking that it's okay as long as it's not beer.
There are surprisingly many foods that contain large amounts of purines.
・Balanced diet and lifestyle habits are important

It is true that beer has more purines than other alcoholic beverages, but that doesn't mean that all beer is bad. Even if you avoid beer, if you continue to consume foods high in purines and high-concentration alcohol, your risk of illness increases. By correctly understanding purines, you can enjoy a healthy relationship with beer.