Excess uric acid in the body can lead to gout, kidney stones, and joint pain. Fortunately, you can naturally manage your uric acid levels by making easy lifestyle and dietary modifications. Here are eight proven ways to maintain healthy uric acid levels:
Stay hydrated – water is key.
Staying hydrated helps your kidneys filter out extra uric acid and prevents it from accumulating. Drinking enough water helps to dilute uric acid and increases its removal through urine.
Tip: Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day. For added diversity, consider including herbal teas or water infused with lemon or cucumber.
Eat More Fibre to Promote Digestive Health
While fibre can not directly reduce uric acid, it helps improve digestion and overall health by maintaining stable blood sugar levels. High-fiber diets can also help you limit your intake of purine-rich foods.
Tip: For optimum digestive health, eat fiber-rich foods such whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and seeds (such as chia and flax).
Limit foods rich in purines.
Purine-rich meals, such as red meat, organ meats, and some seafood, can raise uric acid levels in the body. Limiting these meals can help prevent excess uric acid accumulation.
Foods to avoid include red meat, liver, seafood, sardines, and beer.
Alternatives: Choose lean proteins like chicken and turkey, as well as plant-based options like beans and lentils.
Incorporate Lemon Water for Vitamin C.
Lemon water contains a high concentration of vitamin C, which can benefit general health. While lemon water may help you keep hydrated and mildly alkalise your body, it has not been scientifically proved to reduce uric acid levels directly.
Tip: Start your day with a glass of lemon water to stay hydrated and enhance your vitamin C levels.
Avoid sugary drinks and foods.
Sugary drinks, particularly those with a high fructose content, can contribute to elevated uric acid levels by stimulating its production. Consuming less of these things can help lower uric acid levels.
Avoid soft drinks, sugar-sweetened fruit juices, candy, and processed snacks.
Alternatives include water, herbal teas, and unsweetened beverages. When needed, utilise natural sweeteners such as stevia.
Include Cherries and Berries in Your Diet.
Some research suggests that cherries, particularly tart cherries, may help reduce inflammation associated with gout and high uric acid levels due to their antioxidant characteristics. Berries such as strawberries and blueberries are high in antioxidants, which promote overall health.
Tip: Enjoy fresh cherries or a small glass of tart cherry juice, or mix berries into your breakfast or smoothies.
Exercise Regularly to Improve Kidney Function.
Regular moderate exercise helps enhance circulation and renal function, helping to eliminate uric acid. Staying active also helps you maintain a healthy weight, which relieves strain on your joints and kidneys.
Tip: Spend at least 30 minutes every day doing moderate exercises such as walking, swimming, cycling, or yoga.
Manage Stress for Better Health.
High stress levels can upset your body’s homeostasis and cause inflammation, exacerbating uric acid disorders. Relaxation strategies such as meditation, deep breathing, and getting enough sleep can assist.
Conclusion:
Managing uric acid levels does not have to be hard. Staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, minimising purine-rich foods, and embracing natural measures such as lemon water, cherries, and regular exercise will all help your body maintain healthy uric acid levels. However, persons with serious or recurring health concerns should always seek personalised advice and treatment choices from a healthcare professional.
After reading this text you can also read about: 6 Best Natural Drinks for Kidney Health
