One of the most popular drinks in the world is coffee, which more than 50% of Americans consume on average two cups per day. Due to its widespread use, its potential effects could significantly affect public and individual health.
Although the good news for coffee drinkers is that most studies indicate people don’t necessarily need to stop drinking coffee if they have gout or high uric acid levels. Decaffeinated coffee may have health advantages, and moderate coffee consumption may even help some people lower their risk of gout.
However, you should refrain from putting sugar or fatty cream in your coffee. And drinking too much coffee may be more detrimental than beneficial if you already have other health issues. How much coffee is proper for you should be discussed with your doctor.
A recent large-scale study examining the connection between drinking coffee, tea, and caffeine intake and uric acid levels found that coffee consumption is linked to lower uric acid levels; this appears to be due to factors other than caffeine. The study was published in the June 2007 issue of Arthritis Care & Research.
Uric Acid
A natural byproduct of the digestion of purine-containing foods is uric acid. Purines are found in high concentrations in some foods, such as red meat and organ meats. Your body creates and degrades purines as well.
Usually, your kidneys and urine serve as filters for uric acid in your body. Uric acid can accumulate in your blood if you overeat purine or your body can’t get rid of this byproduct quickly enough.
Under 6.8 mg/dL is considered an average uric acid level. Hyperuricemia is a high uric acid level (above 6.8 mg/dL). Your blood and urine may become too acidic as a result. Your body may accumulate uric acid for a variety of reasons. Among them are:
- Diet
- Psoriasis
- Genetics
- Kidney illness
- Hypothyroidism
- Being overweight or obese
- diabetic nephropathy
- some types of cancers or chemotherapy
- Specific medical conditions can also cause high uric acid levels.
How Can You Reduce The Risk Of Uric Acid?
One common contributing factor to a buildup of uric acid and one of the causes of Gout is your diet. But what are the ways to reduce Uric Acid levels?
Coffee may lower uric acid levels by accelerating the rate at which your body eliminates uric acid. Coffee may also slow the rate at which uric acid is produced because it competes with the enzyme that breaks down purines in the body.
Caffeine may not necessarily be to blame, though. According to the Research, the compounds in coffee besides caffeine cause the drop in uric acid levels.
According to a 2014 study from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, drinking coffee was linked to lower uric acid levels but not tea.
In What Ways Does Coffee Aid Uric Acid?
There are a few potential explanations for why coffee beans help reduce Uric Acid. According to one theory, coffee promotes uric acid excretion. The waste product created when the body breaks down purines is uric acid. Coffee may also lower the risk of gout by increasing uric acid excretion.
Another hypothesis is that coffee contains antioxidants called polyphenols, which can help to lower inflammation.
Caffeine
Caffeine works similarly to xanthine oxidase inhibitors, which stop xanthine oxidase from doing its job. Purines, a source of uric acid, are metabolized by the enzyme xanthine oxidase. Therefore, inhibiting this enzyme can aid in preventing uric acid buildup.
Allopurinol removes uric acid from body tissues, and caffeine shares structural similarities. As uric acid is released from body tissues when some people first begin taking allopurinol, they may experience an increased risk of gout attacks.
But over time, the medication gradually lowers the uric acid level to the point where attacks cease. Because of this, regular coffee drinkers may not experience increased gout attacks while taking allopurinol, whereas occasional coffee drinkers may.
Polyphenol
Chlorogenic acid is a polyphenol found in coffee—antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid and others aid in lowering blood insulin levels.
Due to improved sodium and uric acid excretion and insulin sensitivity, there is a close relationship between uric acid and insulin. By increasing insulin sensitivity, chlorogenic thus indirectly removes uric acid from the body.
Is Tea A Good Cure?
Research has shown that tea isn’t as effective as coffee. Tea consumption does not reduce uric acid levels as coffee consumption does.
Talk to your doctor if you have questions about managing your condition or if you’re worried about your Uric Acid levels or the risk of getting gout or starting an attack.
Some Factors
The following variables may raise uric acid levels:
| Weight: | Overweight people typically produce more uric acid. |
| Specific medicines: | Some antihypertensive drugs and low-dose aspirins can raise uric acid levels. |
| Alcohol consumption: | Drinking too much alcohol, particularly beer, can raise uric acid levels. |
Studies That Support Coffee
Most scientific studies indicate that coffee may help reduce uric acid. By lowering uric acid levels, coffee is thought to decrease the risk of gout through several mechanisms.
Coffee may lower uric acid levels by speeding up your body’s uric acid excretion. It is also believed that coffee inhibits the enzyme responsible for breaking down purines in the body. This may slow down the production of uric acid.
- A recent analysis of Research from a reputable source revealed that drinking coffee was frequently linked to lower uric acid levels and fewer episodes of hyperuricemia.
- Researchers from a Japanese study discovered an antagonistic relationship between coffee consumption and uric acid levels. The study subjects with the lowest uric acid levels consumed the most coffee (about five cups per day).
- Although both coffee and tea were tested, it appeared that only coffee was affected by these findings. This data suggests that substances in coffee other than caffeine may help to reduce uric acid levels.
- Another systematic review supports this idea. The authors of the 2014 review mention two Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey studies on coffee and gout. In one of the studies, serum uric acid levels and coffee and tea consumption were compared.
- The researchers discovered drinking coffee but not tea was linked to lower uric acid levels and a lower risk of hyperuricemia.
Why Coffee May Be Advantageous?
There are a few explanations for why coffee might protect against uric acid buildup.
- Your doctor may recommend either xanthine oxidase inhibitors or uricosurics as a treatment for gout. An enzyme called xanthine oxidase aids in the body’s metabolism of purines. Inhibiting this enzyme can help keep uric acid levels low because purines are a source of uric acid.
- One trusted source of methyl xanthine is caffeine. As a result, it can hinder the activity of xanthine oxidase by competing with it. Uricosurics work by assisting the kidneys in eliminating uric acid from the body. Caffeine isn’t always considered a uricosuric, but it might have a similar effect.
- According to one study, people with hyperinsulinemia have decreased kidney function in excreting uric acid and sodium. Sodium and urate elimination increased as insulin levels dropped and insulin sensitivity rose.
Bottom Line
- Coffee could reduce the uric acid your body produces. Additionally, it might help your body expel more uric acid.
- Additionally, Research indicates that tea and decaffeinated coffee do not lower uric acid to the same extent as coffee.
- Instead, daily, regular coffee consumption is associated with the most significant benefits.
- If you need clarification on whether drinking coffee is healthy, consult your doctor.
- If you do consume coffee, be sure to monitor how your body feels afterward. Coffee may make some gout sufferers’ symptoms worse.
- Although, drinking coffee could help prevent gout if you already have it.
- Skip the sugar and add a few tablespoons of low-fat milk to your coffee for potential benefits.
- A high sugar intake could also increase your risk of developing gout.