For many, alcohol is a part of life’s celebrations—whether it’s a special occasion or just unwinding on a weekend with friends. However, after a CKD diagnosis, it’s not always clear if and how alcohol can fit into a kidney-friendly diet.
If you’ve wondered whether it’s OK to have the occasional drink or even what types of alcohol are kidney-friendly, then this blog post is here to guide you. We’ll give you clear tips on how to enjoy alcohol while managing CKD, as well as advice for those who want to cut back.
Types of alcohol
Not all alcoholic drinks are created equal. Different types of alcohol contain varying amounts of alcohol units. Alcoholic units are a measure of how much pure alcohol is in a drink. 1 unit equals 10mls or 8g of pure alcohol and is roughly the amount that an average adult can process in an hour.
Understanding alcohol units can help you make more informed choices if you have CKD. Here’s a breakdown of common alcoholic drinks and their unit content:
| Spirits eg vodka, gin | Wine (6-10%) | Prosecco/champagne | Lager/ale cider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single 25ml measure of most spirits = 1 unit | Small 125ml glass = 1.5 units. Medium 175ml glass = 2.1 units. | Small 125ml glass = 1.5 units. | Pint of low-strength (3.6% ABV) = 2 units. Pint of high-strength (5.2% ABV) = 3 units. |
Does drinking alcohol affect the kidneys?
The good news is that moderate drinking can be safe. However, although the general guidelines are to have no more than 14 units a week in the general population, we believe the less alcohol you drink weekly, the better.
When you drink regularly above the recommended limit, it can impact kidney function and overall health in multiple ways:
- Increased strain on the kidneys: Alcohol makes the kidneys work harder, weakening their ability to filter waste.
- Poor heart health: Increased blood pressure and increased risk of heart disease—both major concerns for CKD.
- Poor liver health: Alcohol consumption, especially when combined with diabetes, can impact liver health, potentially leading to fatty liver disease.
- Dehydration risk: Alcohol is a diuretic and can disrupt fluid balance, which can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and worsening kidney function.
- Poor blood sugar control: Alcohol affects blood sugar, which can cause further kidney damage.
- Weight gain: Alcohol can contribute to weight gain, a risk factor for further kidney damage.
- Medication Interactions: Alcohol can reduce medication effectiveness or cause harmful side effects.
Can you drink alcohol with kidney disease?
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.
Following these guidelines can help you enjoy alcohol safely while keeping your kidneys, blood pressure, and overall health in check.
- Stay within recommended limits: No more than 14 units per week (NHS).
- Spread alcohol intake: If you are drinking, avoid binge drinking and spread your alcohol intake out over several days. Binge drinking is defined as more than 6 units for women and more than 8 for men in a single session.
- Have alcohol-free days: Aim for several days without alcohol each week to give your body a break.
- Check medication interactions with pharmacist: Ensure alcohol won’t interfere with your prescribed medications.
- Monitor blood pressure & heart rate: If you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or a history of stroke, keep a close eye on these.
- Maintain self-control: Be mindful that drinking alcohol can cause a lack of self-control and potentially lead to other negative health behaviours eg forgetting medication, drinking excessively or overconsuming nutrient-poor foods.
- Monitor blood sugar levels and signs of hypos: If you have diabetes (especially if you are on any medication, including insulin), alcohol can cause blood sugar levels to drop. Diabetes UK have further information about alcohol and diabetes.
- Consider fluid restrictions: If your healthcare team has set a fluid limit, count alcohol within this allowance.
- Choose kidney-friendly options: Avoid high-sugar drinks and opt for low-potassium or low-phosphate drinks if you are on a restricted diet. Keep reading to find out the most kidney-friendly alcoholic drinks.
- Avoid dehydration: Drink water alongside alcohol to stay hydrated.
- Be aware of interactions with your medication: Alcohol can affect how well a medication works, so discussing this with your doctor or pharmacist is important so that you can make an informed decision.
- Know your tolerance: Monitor how alcohol affects you individually and adjust accordingly.
We get asked a lot about alcohol in our 1:1 consultations. If you would like to know more about how you can best manage and enjoy social occasions when you have CKD, why not book a FREE 15 minute enquiry call to chat with a kidney specialist dietitian to see how 1:1 support can help you.
Better alcoholic drinks for kidney disease
We recommend that everyone with CKD limit high-sugar alcoholic drinks, but this is especially important if you have diabetes or prediabetes.
Furthermore, if you have been advised by your healthcare team to follow a low potassium and/or low phosphate diet, then choosing drinks with a lower potassium or lower phosphate content is advisable.
The table below shows some of the most and least kidney-friendly alcoholic drinks which take into account potassium and phosphate content.
| Better alcoholic drinks | Alcohol drinks to limit | |
|---|---|---|
| Spirits | All spirits | |
| Mixers | Sugar-free fizzy drinks (except cola) Soda water | Sugary fizzy drinks Fruit juice (if following a low potassium diet) All cola drinks (if following a low phosphate diet) |
| Wine | Dry white wine Sparkling white wine Prosecco Rose wine | Fortified wine Red wine (if following a low potassium diet) Sweet white wine (if following a low potassium diet) |
| Beer/lager/ale/cider | Light ale Light lager (standard/low alcohol/alcohol free) | Cider Dark ale (if following a low potassium diet) |
Alcohol & special occasions
If you’ve been wondering whether it’s okay to have a drink during celebrations, the answer is yes—just make sure it’s in moderation! You don’t need to stress over choosing the “perfect” kidney-friendly drink for every occasion, especially if it’s just one drink. Your kidney health won’t be harmed by the occasional drink, so you can relax and enjoy yourself within those limits.
Practical ways to reduce alcohol intake
If you are keen to reduce your alcohol intake, here are some simple but effective strategies to help you get started:
- Set goals: Define clear, realistic goals to manage your drinking. For example, you might decide to limit yourself to two drinks on a night out or to only drink on weekends. Tracking your progress can help you stay accountable, and if needed, you can adjust your goals over time.
- Identify triggers: Recognise the situations, emotions, or habits that lead to drinking. Is it stress, social settings, or routine? Finding healthier alternatives like exercising, having a non-alcoholic drink, or engaging in a hobby can help reduce the urge to drink.
- Ask for support: Let friends, family, or a partner know about your goals. Having someone to encourage you, join you, hold you accountable, and offer alternatives in social situations can make cutting back easier.
- Plan ahead: If you usually drink in response to stress, boredom, or social events, plan alternative activities such as going for a walk, trying a new hobby, or meeting friends for coffee instead of drinks.
- Be proactive: Avoid situations where you may feel pressured to drink. If certain social settings or people make it hard to say no, consider suggesting alternative plans that don’t revolve around alcohol.
- Try alcohol-free or low alcohol options: Many no- and low-alcohol drinks taste great and offer a similar experience without the health risks. Try alcohol-free beers, mocktails, low alcohol or alcohol-free wines, wine spritzers or sparkling water with fruit for a refreshing alternative.
- Track your progress: Use apps like Drinkaware or a simple journal to monitor your drinking habits. Seeing your progress over time can be motivating and help you stick to your goals.
- Celebrate achievements: Reward yourself when you reach a milestone, like a week or month of reduced drinking. Treat yourself to something enjoyable, like a meal out, a new book, or a fun experience that doesn’t involve alcohol.
Key Takeaways
The occasional drink for a celebration after a CKD diagnosis is perfectly fine.
If you choose to drink more regularly than this, stick to less than 14 units per week and follow the guidelines in this post, so you can still enjoy a drink safely while protecting your kidneys.
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Disclaimer: This advice is primarily for individuals with CKD Stages 3 & 4. It is solely educational and provides general advice only. It is not a substitute for seeing a registered dietitian or another qualified healthcare professional.
