Even With the Same Amount, Gender Makes a Difference
A study has found that even when consuming the same amount of alcohol, the impact on serum uric acid levels varies depending on gender, type of alcohol, and drinking patterns.
In particular, men showed a stronger association between uric acid increase and soju consumption, while women were more affected by beer.
'Poktanju,' a mixed drink combining different types of alcohol, was found to increase uric acid levels in both men and women.
A study has found that even when consuming the same amount of alcohol, the impact on serum uric acid levels varies depending on gender, type of alcohol, and drinking patterns. Getty Images
원본보기 아이콘According to Samsung Seoul Hospital on January 14,
a joint research team consisting of Professor Kang Mira from the Health and Medical Science Division, Professor Kim Kyunga and Dr. Hong Sungjoon from the Medical Statistics Center,
and Professor Ahn Jungkyung from the Department of Rheumatology at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital,
published these findings
in the latest issue of the Journal of Korean Medical Science.
Analysis Based on Korean-Style Drinking Patterns Including Soju
This study was conducted on 17,011 adults aged 18 and older who underwent health checkups at Samsung Seoul Hospital
from January 2011 to June 2016.
Serum uric acid level is a key factor in causing gout,
and alcohol consumption is known as a major risk factor because it affects both the production and excretion of uric acid, thereby increasing the risk of gout.
The research team noted that studies focused on Western populations do not adequately reflect Korean drinking and dietary culture.
Alcohol intake was standardized to one standard drink, defined as 8g of ethanol,
and the relationship with uric acid levels was analyzed across six stages, ranging from abstinence to heavy and binge drinking.
One standard drink was defined as 220ml of beer (4.5% ABV), 50ml of soju (20% ABV), or 85ml of wine (12% ABV).
For Men, Even Half a Glass of Soju Increases Uric Acid
The analysis showed that for soju, beer, and wine, serum uric acid levels tended to rise as alcohol consumption increased.
However, the type of alcohol most strongly associated with increased uric acid differed by gender.
Among men, soju had the greatest impact on uric acid increase,
and even a small amount-just half a standard glass of soju per day-was associated with a trend toward higher uric acid levels.
In contrast, among women, beer consumption showed the closest association with increased uric acid.
When multiple types of alcohol were mixed and consumed, both men and women tended to have higher uric acid levels.
The research team also examined differences in foods consumed with different types of alcohol.
Men tended to prefer protein-rich foods when drinking soju or mixed alcohol,
while women who mainly drank beer also had higher intakes of high-protein foods.
If Obese, Reducing Alcohol Has Less Effect
Furthermore, the effect of improving uric acid levels by changing drinking habits differed depending on obesity status.
For those who were not obese (BMI less than 25kg/m2), the effect of moderating alcohol intake was relatively clear,
but for those who were obese (BMI 25kg/m2 or higher), the uric acid-raising effect of obesity itself was so significant
that the impact of alcohol could be relatively masked.
Professor Kang Mira stated, "For obese patients, it is important to address both weight control and improvement of drinking habits simultaneously."
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Reporter Park Eunseo rloseo8@asiae.co.kr
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Edit Kim Mina alskv@asiae.co.kr
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