How Does Alcohol Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Key takeaways:

Studies suggest moderate alcohol use may decrease the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Alcohol in moderate amounts is also linked to less severe RA symptoms, although research is ongoing.
Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of medication side effects, so speak with your healthcare team first.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune condition that affects about 1.3 million people in the U.S. There are effective treatments for RA. Unfortunately, however, there isn’t a cure.

The evidence isn’t entirely clear, but research suggests that RA has environmental and lifestyle triggers. Lifestyle factors such as drinking alcohol may play a part in the development and management of symptoms of RA. But these relationships aren't well understood, especially when genetic factors are taken into consideration.

Let’s take a closer look at the link between RA and alcohol use and how it may impact your symptoms.

What is rheumatoid arthritis?

Autoimmune conditions — such as RA — happen when the body’s immune system becomes confused and attacks its healthy cells. Left untreated, RA can result in damage to joints and organs over time.

Inflammation of the joints due to RA can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as:

Pain
Swelling
Stiffness
Warmth
Redness

RA commonly affects joints on both sides of the body, including:

Hands
Wrists
Fingers
Feet

There are a variety of other early symptoms associated with RA, including fatigue and sleep disturbances. Catching RA symptoms early, and getting treatment for them, is important for symptom management and quality of life. Treatments can help to decrease joint damage and pain while improving mobility.

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Who gets rheumatoid arthritis, and can I stop it?

Anyone can get RA, although women are two to three times more likely to be diagnosed with it than men. RA is also more common in adults age 65 and older.

Other factors, or a combination of them, may be involved in the development of RA. Some of these factors are:

Genetics
Environmental factors
Lifestyle choices

Is alcohol linked with rheumatoid arthritis?

Yes, but maybe not in the way you might think. Studies suggest a light-to-moderate amount of alcohol intake may actually decrease the risk of developing RA. This effect may be due to how alcohol affects the immune system. But, for now, the relationship remains poorly understood.

It’s important to know that drinking alcohol in any amount can cause harm to your health. So, if you don’t drink, don’t start — especially for a possible health benefit. Awareness of the effects that alcohol can have on autoimmune disease is growing, and there’s more to learn in this area.

Can drinking alcohol make my rheumatoid arthritis worse?

Featuring Ashira Blazer, MDReviewed by Mandy Armitage, MD | April 7, 2025

Some (not heavy) alcohol consumption is unlikely to make your RA worse. Research suggests that light-to-moderate drinking can decrease disease activity in RA and other autoimmune diseases. In other words, it’s linked with fewer symptoms. Experts don’t know how this happens. But it may have something to do with how alcohol affects the immune system’s activity.

That said, it’s important to know that alcohol can increase the risk of medication side effects. This is especially true for the following:

Over-the-counter (OTC) pain medicines, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen
Steroids, like prednisone and methylprednisolone.

You also should avoid or limit alcohol if you’re taking certain RA medications, like methotrexate.

Lastly, it’s important to know that alcohol can also increase the risk of gout flares, so avoid it if you have both gout and RA.

How much alcohol is safe?

In the studies about alcohol and RA mentioned above, the key term is “moderate” drinking. This means no more than 1 drink a day for women and 2 drinks a day for men. But, again, if you don’t drink now, you don’t need to start. As mentioned, alcohol use is linked to other health conditions.

If you’re taking methotrexate or leflunomide, it’s best to speak with your rheumatologist before drinking any amount of alcohol. They can give you better guidance based on your health history and other factors.

How can you promote better health with rheumatoid arthritis?

If you’ve been diagnosed with RA, here are some steps you can take to improve your overall health:

Exercise regularly.
Eat nutritious foods such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Take your medications as prescribed. Be sure to speak with your rheumatologist if you’re having any side effects or trouble affording them.
Manage stress and anxiety as best you can.
Consider joining a support group to connect with others.

If you haven’t already, consider having a conversation with your healthcare team about lifestyle factors. It’s good to know if any habits may be related to new or worsening RA symptoms.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Research suggests that smoking — especially heavy smoking — is a big (maybe the biggest) controllable risk factor in the development of RA. This means that people who smoke have an increased risk of developing RA. This risk is even greater if you smoke and drink. However, these effects aren’t fully understood, and more research is underway.

No. Developing RA is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Drinking alcohol isn’t a recommended strategy for preventing RA.

Research suggests that smoking can have a negative effect on how well people with RA function and feel. Smoking may also affect how well RA medications work for disease treatment. Smoking can lead to other health issues, such as heart disease. And people with RA already have a higher risk of heart disease. So, it makes sense to quit smoking as soon as you can. This isn’t easy: Consider asking your healthcare team for help if you’re trying to quit.

The bottom line

RA is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes swollen, tender, and stiff joints. Lifestyle factors like smoking and alcohol use can have an impact on the risk of developing RA. And they can also affect how the disease is managed after it has been diagnosed. There’s more to learn about how lifestyle, environment, and genetics influence RA — and research is ongoing.

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Written by:

Jewels Doskicz, RN, BA

Jewels Doskicz, RN, is an Arizona-based registered nurse with more than 20 years of hospital-wide clinical nursing experience. She has spent over a decade in medical writing and editing, with a focus on diabetes and autoimmune disease.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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