What is uric acid? Modern medicine believes that uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism. In simple terms, uric acid is a kind of “waste” in the human body, harmful and without any benefit to the body. Once uric acid levels rise, it will increase the burden on the kidneys. It not only deposits in the soft tissues of various joints, triggering inflammation, acute gouty arthritis, and the formation of gout stones, but also directly damages kidney health. The most common conditions include uric acid kidney stones, gouty nephropathy, even kidney failure, and uremia. For those with high uric acid levels, consuming these 5 things regularly can help gradually reduce uric acid and prevent gout.
1. Drink plenty of water
Water is the most common substance in life, often overlooked by many people. However, for individuals with high uric acid levels, it is essential to drink an adequate amount of water every day and try to drink even more. This can help the body relieve pressure and better excrete excess uric acid.
2. Dandelion Tea
Dandelion has the functions of clearing heat, detoxifying, reducing swelling, promoting diuresis, removing stranguria, and reducing acid and dissolving fat. It is an important traditional Chinese medicine for lowering uric acid, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects. Drinking dandelion tea is recommended in traditional Chinese medicine for health maintenance, lowering acid and fat, preventing gout, and improving conditions such as arthritis, skin inflammation, rheumatism, and throat inflammation.
3. Black Sesame
Eating more black sesame can strengthen kidney function. Uric acid passes through the kidneys to the bladder and is excreted with the bladder. By facilitating the smooth excretion of uric acid, the uric acid crystals will not deposit in our bodies, which is helpful for reducing uric acid levels.
4. Bitter Melon
Bitter melon is a low-fat, low-purine alkaline food. The bioalkaline substance quinine in bitter melon helps gout patients better excrete uric acid. The vitamin C in bitter melon also helps lower the level of uric acid in the blood.
5. Cherries
Cherries are high in iron, ranking first among various fruits. They have a sweet and slightly sour taste, a warm nature, and are beneficial for tonifying the middle, benefiting qi, expelling wind, and eliminating dampness. The anthocyanin component in cherries can enhance the glomerular filtration of uric acid and reduce the reabsorption of uric acid by the renal tubules, making it suitable for individuals with high uric acid levels. Cherries indeed lower uric acid levels, but the consumption should be moderate, around a dozen per day is sufficient.