Alcohol Consumption Guidelines for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Introduction to Alcohol Consumption Limits

The American Heart Association recommends that patients with CKD limit alcohol intake to no more than 1 drink per day for women and 2 drinks per day for men, with one drink being equivalent to 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of spirits 3, 4
The American Diabetes Association suggests that alcohol should ideally be consumed with meals to minimize metabolic effects 4
These limits apply specifically to patients with CKD who choose to drink and have no contraindications, as recommended by the American Diabetes Association 3

Limiting alcohol intake is specifically recommended as a nonpharmacological intervention to help prevent gout in CKD patients, according to the Kidney International guidelines 1, 2
This recommendation is particularly important for patients with symptomatic hyperuricemia, alongside limiting meats and high-fructose corn syrup, as suggested by the Kidney International guidelines 1, 2

Heavy alcohol consumption can lead to hypertension, liver damage, and increased cardiovascular risk—all of which worsen CKD outcomes, as reported in the Circulation journal 4

The American Heart Association recommends avoiding or limiting alcohol in CKD patients with a history of alcohol use disorder or addiction 4
The Kidney International guidelines suggest avoiding or limiting alcohol in CKD patients with symptomatic hyperuricemia or recurrent gout 1, 2
The American Heart Association also recommends avoiding or limiting alcohol in CKD patients with hypertriglyceridemia, uncontrolled hypertension, liver disease, or taking medications with alcohol interactions 4
The American Diabetes Association recommends that CKD patients taking medications with alcohol interactions should avoid or limit alcohol consumption 3