The condition of increased uric acid in the blood is called ‘Hyperuricemia’. The main causes that lead to this condition are as follows:
1. Purine-rich foods
Uric acid is mainly produced when the ‘purine’ component in the food we eat is broken down.
Foods to avoid: Red meat (beef, mutton), organ meats (liver, intestines), and some sea fish (sardines, mackerel, shrimp, crab) are rich in purines.
2. Alcohol (especially beer)
Alcohol consumption is one of the main reasons for increasing uric acid. Beer contains very high levels of purines. Also, when alcohol enters the body, the kidneys focus more on excreting alcohol instead of excreting uric acid. This can cause uric acid to build up in the body.
3. Sugary Drinks and Fructose
Fructose, a sweetener found in colas, artificial fruit juices, and energy drinks, accelerates the production of uric acid in the body. Excessive consumption of bakery sweets can also cause this.
4. Kidney dysfunction
The kidneys are responsible for properly filtering the uric acid produced and excreting it through urine. If the kidneys are damaged or their function slows down, uric acid accumulates in the blood and forms crystals in the joints.
5. Obesity and diabetes
Uric acid is produced more in people who are overweight and the kidneys have more difficulty excreting it. In addition, uric acid levels are also likely to remain elevated in people with insulin resistance (the beginning of diabetes).
6. Use of certain medications
Regular use of certain medications (Diuretics) and aspirin, which are used to lower blood pressure (BP), may interfere with the process of eliminating uric acid from the body.
3 simple ways to reduce uric acid:
Drink plenty of water: Drinking 10-12 glasses of water daily will help in flushing out uric acid through urine.
Vitamin C: Including lemons, oranges and gooseberries in the diet is good for reducing uric acid levels.
Fiber-rich foods: Eat more vegetables and oats