Hey there viewers and welcome back to bestie! How often have you thought about your uric acid
levels? Probably never, maybe sometimes? It is important for you to keep a close eye on this.
Uric acid is the by-product that is left behind after food digestion. Normally,
this acid gets filtered out through the kidneys. If the body is unable to
get rid of this byproduct then it gets built up in the blood.
If left untreated high levels of uric acid can cause painful arthritis,
gout, permanent damage in the bones and joints, high blood pressure and fatty liver disease.
There are some lifestyle changes that you can make to lower its levels like losing weight,
avoiding sugar, avoiding alcohol and choosing the right kind of food.
Bananas? Low fat dairy products? Olive oil?
Watch till the end to find out all the foods that effectively reduce uric acid.
Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
Some foods contain high purine while others are low. Because the body produces purine on its own,
you should not overdo it by eating foods that also contain high levels of this substance.
Fresh fruit and vegetables without any added sugar are a great choice for a low purine diet.
Vitamin C is found in abundance in fresh produce that helps in cutting down the acid levels.
Do you eat your fair share of everyday fresh veggies and fruit? Tell us in the comments below!
Apples Apples are a good
choice if you are looking to lose weight, protect heart health and lower the risk of
developing diabetes. This nutrient dense fruit is versatile and can be easily added into your diet.
They contain a special compound called malic acid that neutralizes the excess uric acid in
the bloodstream. Apples offer huge relief to patients dealing with high uric acid levels.
Pinto Beans Pinto beans are extremely
nutritious. They contain healthy nutrients like fiber, vitamins and minerals that help
in improving blood sugar and heart health. This naturally brings down the uric acid content.
It also contains Folic acid that has a therapeutic effect on the body. It
inhibits uric acid production and even saves your kidney from high uric acid related kidney damage.
They are inexpensive and easy to prepare, so you can easily add them to your diet.
Olive Oil Olive oil is packed with
biologically active antioxidants that reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases. It is usually
extracted from olive trees and has been used for a long time as an effective way
of getting rid of gout by reducing the uric acid levels. Cooking food in cold pressed olive
oil relieves your body from inflammation while enhancing its antioxidant levels.
High Fiber Foods High fiber foods include oats,
quinoa, kidney beans, chickpeas and avocado. Eating these can bring down cholesterol levels,
control blood sugar and keep your gut healthy. Eating high fiber foods
activates the microorganisms present in the gut and soothes any sign of inflammation.
The dietary fiber gets rid of problems related to high uric acid like gout.
Banana Packed with
the goodness of potassium bananas are low in purines and high in vitamin C. The manganese
in it leaves the skin glowing and healthy. Potassium helps in improving heart health,
blood pressure and digestion. Including bananas along with other low purine foods
will lower the amount of uric acid and stop recurring gout attacks.
Lime Limes are more
bitter and tangier than the regular yellow lemon. Just like lemons they are filled with vitamin C
and offer a variety of health benefits. It rejuvenates the skin, improves digestion,
fights off infection and promotes weight loss. Vitamin C also acts as a great solvent for uric
acid. Foods enriched with it are the perfect solution for fighting off high uric acid levels.
Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar is
made out of fermented apple cider which has recently gained much popularity for
its medicinal properties. If you have a chronic high level of uric acid,
then drinking 1 glass of water with a couple of drops of apple cider vinegar,
2 or 3 times a day, will disable the formation of uric acid crystals in between joints.
Omega 3 Rich Foods This essential fatty acid that
is not produced in the body, helps in protecting the outer cell membrane. It is especially good for
maintaining brain, heart and overall health while preventing the development of long term diseases.
Fatty fish like tuna, mackerel and salmon are some of the best natural sources for active
omega 3. These foods also play a major role in immediately lowering inflammation and swelling.
Berries If berries are
not a part of your regular diet then this is the best time to add them. Berries like blueberries,
raspberries and strawberries contain large amounts of vitamins, minerals and of course antioxidants.
Darker berries are especially great! They contain certain minerals and natural goodness that brings
down the uric acid. Another element that stops the recurrence of high uric acid is vitamin C.
Before moving forward, ask yourself,
have you been eating the right fruits? Here are some of the best fruits that you should
and shouldn’t be eating. Now back to the foods that effectively bring down uric acid levels.
Cherries Cherry is a low
calorie nutrient dense fruit. The bioactive compounds found in them include potassium
and carotenoids - which gives the fruit its vibrant red color and fiber among other things.
Did you know that they are also an amazing source of serotonin?
It is a chemical responsible for happiness.
Eating cherries lowers the risk of gout attack and flare ups by cutting down on the uric acid.
Water Water is the source of life.
It is not a secret that drinking 8 glasses of water a day keeps you active and removes
all the toxins. It absorbs the excessive amount of uric acid in the bloodstream.
If you’re experiencing rising levels of uric acid or having a flare up then you should increase
the number of glasses of water by double. This will easily flush out the uric acid.
Water dissolves this harmful acid and keeps you hydrated as well!
Low Fat Dairy Products
Choosing low fat dairy products as opposed to full fat is a healthy switch.
They contain less calories and cholesterol while being packed with calcium, vitamins,
minerals and protein. They don't clog up the arteries like full fat milk. Choosing low fat
milk at your next starbucks run will bring down uric acid levels and hinder painful flare ups.
Vitamin C Rich foods When you think about the
health benefits of eating vitamin C rich foods, improved immunity comes to mind. But that’s not
it. Too much uric acid in the body causes gout. Vitamin C supplements or foods and fruit rich in
this nutrient protects the body from developing gout. If you’re already suffering from gout,
then eating foods like oranges, grapefruit, pineapple and papaya will reduce inflammation.
Celery Celery is
mostly water. It isn’t one of the most nutrients dense foods but it does have its benefits.
It contains vitamin K, folate, fiber and potassium and aids with weight loss,
inflammation and rehydration. Its seeds have a natural compound that is an important element used
in the treatment of high uric acid. It reduces the acid levels and also has antioxidant properties.
Cucumber Cucumbers are highly nutritious
and packed with micronutrients. Not only are they deliciously healthy snacks to munch on,
they are also effective in cutting down uric acid production by synthesising it in the blood.
They have hydrating properties and help in maintaining your ideal weight
while also detoxifying the body. You can never go wrong with cucumbers!
Potato Potatoes are easy to make,
versatile and inexpensive. They’re also healthy! The fiber keeps you feeling full for longer while
lowering cholesterol and keeping blood sugar in check. Being low in purine and high in vitamin
C it makes for the perfect food for quickly and effectively reducing uric acid. Eating it mashed
or pureeing it with other veggies will make for a great comfort food that is also gout friendly.
Rice In order to reduce uric acid,
choosing foods that are lower on the glycemic index works best. Humble rice,
which is a favorite staple across the world can help in bringing down uric acid levels.
It also helps prevent gout. This comfort food comes with a host of health benefits
like lowered cholesterol and reduced risk of developing heart disease.
Chicken Who doesn’t like a good
chicken dish? It is a lean meat and when eaten occasionally can also minimize the risk of gout.
Also remember to eat it the right way to eliminate any red flags. This means not
frying or breading up the chicken. You can grill, broil, roast or poach it instead. It also prevents
the formation of acid crystals in between the joints making it an ideal addition to your meals.
Nuts Did you know that you
can bring down uric acid levels by simply adding 2 tablespoons of nuts to every meal? Low purine
nuts like walnuts, almonds and flax seeds play an important role in uric acid reduction. Pairing up
these nuts with fresh fruits and vegetables will work like charm! If you are watching your weight
then remember that nuts are high in fat and overdoing it will make the situation worse.
In short, Uric acid is what’s left after food is digested. If it keeps
increasing then something is wrong and may lead the way to chronic diseases.
These foods will help in dissolving away the uric acid built up in the bloodstream.
You can start this healthy journey in a more organised
manner. Here are 2 videos that will get you going!
Curb bad eating habits by switching to these 10 best foods.
Eating these awesome superfoods will also assist you with a healthier lifestyle.
Watch these videos for more information on how to get in shape, fast!
Have you experienced a rise in uric acid? What did you do about it?
Share with us in the comments below!