Swelling in the legs, ankles, or face (edema) can also occur due to fluid retention when kidneys struggle to regulate fluid balance. Persistent fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, and a metallic taste in the mouth may also signal kidney dysfunction. Regular, heavy alcohol use can also be harmful to your kidneys over time. According to the National Kidney Foundation, regular heavy drinking can double the risk of chronic kidney disease. Seek medical advice and support if you suspect alcohol-related kidney damage or kidney issues of any kind.

Why Kidneys Hurt After Drinking

Furthermore, the cardiovascular-protective effects of estrogen 91,93 should not be overlooked. Characteristics of the clinical studies on alcohol consumption and chronic kidney disease. As early as thousands of years ago, humans had mastered the primitive aspects of brewing technology.

• The amounts of these substances must be held within very narrow limits, regardless of the large variations possible in their intake or loss.
• When you drink heavily, your kidneys have to work harder to filter out the alcohol.
• Diuresis and dehydration – Even modest alcohol doses increase urine output by suppressing vasopressin (ADH), the hormone that tells kidneys to conserve water.
• You can drink alcohol with kidney disease, but it’s important to do so in a way that minimises risks to your kidneys and overall health.
• You may notice that you produce excessive amounts of urine all the time or that your urine production is less than normal.
• Many of the same studies show that chronic kidney damage caused by long-term and excessive alcohol consumption is usually irreversible.

To keep the kidneys functioning optimally and to Halfway house maintain functional stability (i.e., homeostasis) in the body, a variety of regulatory mechanisms exert their influence. Alcohol can perturb these controls, however, to a degree that varies with the amount of alcohol consumed and the particular mechanism’s sensitivity. Because your kidneys impact the health of your other organs, stressed kidneys can create a ripple effect that has ongoing consequences for your overall health. We recommend that everyone with CKD  limit high-sugar alcoholic drinks, but this is especially important if you have diabetes or prediabetes.

What the evidence says – alcohol and kidney risk

If pain is accompanied by fever, vomiting, painful urination, or fatigue, medical attention is necessary. If untreated, these conditions can progress to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), requiring dialysis or transplant. Think of it as repeatedly running your engine on low oil—eventually, something gives. Alcohol is a toxic substance that can cause dependence and other negative health effects. People with alcohol-induced CKD will require treatment for AUD as well as CKD. Alcohol is does drinking alcohol affect your kidneys a toxic substance that can cause dependence alongside a range of other negative health effects.

Practical playbook – protect your kidneys if you drink at all

Several epidemiological studies have shown that mild alcohol consumption benefits cardiovascular health (Coate 1993; Kannel and Ellison 1996) by reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (Mukamal et al. 2006). In contrast, heavy drinking leads to the development of nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (Klatsky 2007) and significantly increases the risk of sudden cardiac death (Hookana et al. 2011). Due to the metabolism of ethanol, significant amounts of acetate are produced and subsequently incorporated into acetyl-coenzyme-A, a molecule that participates in metabolism of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Protein acetylation—adding an acetyl group to a protein—is integral to regulating processes controlled by mitochondria, including fatty acid metabolism and antioxidant defense (Choudhary et al. 2014). This could also be a significant factor contributing to ethanol-induced mitochondrial dysfunction in the kidneys (Harris et al. 2015). Moderate alcohol consumption (1 drink per day for women, 2 for men) is generally not harmful to the kidneys, but individual tolerance varies, and pre-existing kidney conditions may increase sensitivity.

Kidneys that have been overworked due to excess alcohol consumption don’t function properly. This makes them less able to filter blood and maintain the correct water balance in the body. The hormones that control kidney function can also be adversely affected.

Practical tips include alternating alcoholic drinks with water and avoiding binge drinking, defined as consuming four or more drinks for women and five or more for men in about two hours. When you drink heavily, your kidneys have to work harder to filter out the alcohol. And in rare cases, binge drinking — five or more drinks at a time — can cause a sudden drop in kidney function called acute kidney injury.

• The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only.
• Additionally, pairing alcohol with antioxidant-rich foods (e.g., berries, nuts) can counteract oxidative stress, a key driver of kidney damage.
• Due to the metabolism of ethanol, significant amounts of acetate are produced and subsequently incorporated into acetyl-coenzyme-A, a molecule that participates in metabolism of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates.

Individuals with pre-existing health conditions, particularly diabetes or existing CKD, face a significantly magnified risk from alcohol consumption. Alcohol interferes directly with blood sugar control, a fundamental concern for people with diabetes. The liver normally releases stored glucose to prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), but it prioritizes processing alcohol instead. When ADH release is inhibited, the kidney tubules become less permeable to water, preventing the body from retaining fluid.

This metaphorical breakdown mirrors the physiological reality of alcohol’s impact on the kidneys. Small changes, such as alternating alcoholic beverages with water or choosing lower-alcohol options, can make a substantial difference in maintaining kidney health and overall well-being. Comparatively, the impact of alcohol on electrolytes is akin to running a marathon without refueling—the body’s reserves deplete rapidly, leaving it vulnerable. Unlike occasional exercise, though, chronic drinking doesn’t allow the kidneys time to recover. Over time, this can lead to permanent damage, such as renal tubular acidosis, where the kidneys fail to acidify urine properly, further disrupting electrolyte balance.

• First, alcohol metabolism produces toxic byproducts like acetaldehyde, which accumulate in the bloodstream and directly damage kidney tissues.
• A study published in 2015 tested the risk of developing chronic kidney disease based on their self-reported alcohol intake.
• Alcoholic units are a measure of how much pure alcohol is in a drink.

Short-Term Effects of Alcohol on Kidneys

Over time, high blood sugar levels damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, leading to CKD. This can result in chronic high blood pressure, which damages kidney blood vessels. For https://alexandrafae.com/2025/05/07/alcoholic-neuropathy-medlineplus-medical-2/ people who already have hypertension, alcohol accelerates kidney decline. These bean-shaped organs are the body’s natural filtration system, working 24/7 to eliminate toxins, balance electrolytes, and regulate blood pressure. Yet alcohol, especially when consumed heavily or frequently, can silently sabotage these vital functions. Rather than the type of beverage, it is the amount of alcohol that affects the kidneys, with binge or excessive drinking having the most impact.