7 foods that instantly lower uric acid levels

Considering the fast-paced and busy lifestyles most people have these days, having high uric acid levels has become quite a common health issue for many. While it crops up silently, high uric acid levels should not be taken lightly. Having high uric acid levels can lead to gout, joint pain, and kidney issues— and your diet plays a huge role in managing it.

For the unversed uric acid forms when the body breaks down purines, found in certain foods like red meat and alcohol. While medicines can help, what you eat daily can naturally bring levels under control. Luckily, some common foods work wonders in flushing out excess uric acid and keeping inflammation in check. Here we list some such foods:

1. Joint pain, especially in the big toe (gout)

2. Swelling, redness, and warmth around joints

3. Stiffness or discomfort in joints after resting

4. Kidney stones (sharp pain in the back or side)

5. Frequent urge to urinate or blood in urine

6. Fatigue or general malaise

Cherries— especially tart cherries— are rich in antioxidants and anthocyanins that help in reducing inflammation and lowering uric acid levels naturally. A 2012 study titled 'Cherry consumption and decreased risk of recurrent gout attacks' published in Arthritis & Rheumatism found that cherry consumption reduced gout attacks by 35%. So, include a handful of fresh cherries to your daily diet or drink unsweetened cherry juice to reduce uric acid levels naturally.

Lemons are alkaline in nature and they help in neutralising uric acid in the blood. The vitamin C in lemon juice helps improve kidney function, thus leading to the removal of uric acid along with urine from the body. A 2017 study published in the Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition found that "freshly squeezed lemon juice lowers the blood uric acid in hyperuricemic patients".
So, start having luke warm water with half freshly-squeesed lemon on an empty stomach every morning. This will help in flushing out toxins from the body and balance acidity.

Celery seeds have been used for ages in traditional medicine to manage gout and inflammation in the body. They act as natural diuretics, thus helping in eliminating uric acid more efficiently. A 2019 study published in Natural Medicine Journal suggested that celery seed extract significantly reduced inflammatory markers and oxidative stress.
Start including celery seeds to your soups and salads or drink celery juice to support kidney and liver function, and reduce high uric acid levels naturally.

It's a popular saying, 'An apple a day, keeps the doctor away' and rightly so!
Apart from being rich in fibre and vitamins, apples also contain malic acid which helps in neutralising uric acid and reduce its buildup in the blood. According to a study in the Journal of Food Science (2016), malic acid can help maintain a healthy acid-base balance, reducing gout risk.

So, start having an apple a day to get is optimal benefits.

Green tea is rich in catechins, which are powerful antioxidants that help reduce uric acid levels and inflammation in the body. A Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin (2010) study found that green tea polyphenols inhibited xanthine oxidase, an enzyme that is responsible for uric acid production in the body. This in turn decreases uric acid levels, thus reducing the risk of gout and hyperuricemia.
So, include one to two cups of unsweetened green tea to your daily diet. This will help support detoxification and joint health.

​Cucumber is a hydrating, alkaline food that helps flush out uric acid through increased urine output. Its high water and potassium content support kidney function and helps prevent uric acid crystal formation in the body.
So, eat cucumber slices daily or add them to infused water for a refreshing, cleansing effect.

Low-fat milk and yogurt are rich in proteins called casein and lactalbumin, which promote uric acid excretion. The 2004 New England Journal of Medicine study titled 'Purine-Rich Foods, Dairy and Protein Intake, and the Risk of Gout in Men' having dairy products, especially low-fat dairy like skim milk, was linked to a significantly reduced risk of developing gout.
Include a serving of low-fat yogurt or milk daily to maintain healthy uric acid levels.