Uric acid can be a serious condition that usually causes joint inflammation and pain, especially in diseases like gout. Uric acid builds up in the body when its excretion by the kidneys is reduced, or the amount of its production in the body increases. The good news is that uric acid can be controlled through diet. In this article, we will tell you what things you should include in your diet and what things you should avoid to control uric acid.
1. Drink more water
The simplest and most effective way to reduce uric acid levels is to drink plenty of water. Water helps flush out uric acid from the body and controls its levels. You should try to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day. This reduces the concentration of uric acid and it is easily excreted from the body.
Advice : Staying hydrated every day can provide relief from uric acid problems.
2. Eat low-purine vegetables like potatoes, cucumbers, and pumpkins
The main cause of uric acid is the high intake of purine compounds, which break down in the body and turn into uric acid. Therefore, consuming low-purine vegetables can help control uric acid levels. Vegetables like potatoes, cucumber, pumpkin, carrots, and capsicum should be included in your diet.
Advice : Include these vegetables in your diet mostly as they help in reducing uric acid.
3. Eat fruits and berries
Fruits, especially berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and cherries), help reduce uric acid levels. Compounds such as anthocyanins present in cherries are helpful in controlling uric acid levels. Also, vitamin C-rich fruits such as oranges, lemons, and kiwis can also help control uric acid levels.
Advice : Include as many berries and vitamin C rich fruits in your diet as possible.
4. Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids, which are found primarily in fish such as salmon, sardines, and flaxseeds, help reduce inflammation caused by uric acid. They help reduce pain by reducing inflammation, which is common in conditions like gout.
Advice : Eat fish at least twice a week or use flaxseeds.
5. Avoid too much fried or fatty foods
Fried foods, red meat, and processed foods contain high purine levels, which can increase uric acid levels. Avoiding such foods is important to control uric acid.
Tip : Choose light and nutritious foods instead of fried and heavy fatty foods.
6. Increase your intake of dairy products
Dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese can be helpful in controlling uric acid levels. These products are low in purines and contain a good amount of calcium, which is also beneficial for bone health.
Advice : Consuming milk or curd daily can control uric acid levels.
7. Avoid alcohol and sugar
Consuming alcohol and high-sugar beverages can increase uric acid. Alcohol, especially beer, is a major source of purine, which can increase uric acid levels. Also, sugar and cold drinks should be avoided.
Advice : Limit or avoid alcohol and sugary beverages altogether.
Making the right dietary changes is extremely important to control uric acid problems. Drinking enough water, eating low-purine vegetables and fruits, and consuming omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce uric acid. Apart from this, avoiding fried foods and alcohol is also helpful in controlling this problem. If you include these simple dietary measures in your diet, you can get relief from uric acid problems and improve your health.
