Uric acid is normally produced when the body breaks down a substance called purine. Purine is a substance that occurs naturally in our bodies but is also found in a variety of foods. It is usually excreted uric acid Out of the body through urine, but when our kidneys are unable to excrete uric acid, it leads to a condition called gout.
But what do you do when you have a rise in uric acid during the winter? You can reduce your risk by following the advice in this report, according to the “Health” website.
Understand the relationship between uric acid and gout
Gout is a condition in which high levels of uric acid build up around a joint. It is also often called a painful form of arthritis because these high levels of uric acid often form crystals which lead to a lot of stiffness and immobility around the joints. It can also be dangerous for the body, even for other organs such as the heart and kidneys.
Most people with high uric acid levels experience symptoms such as pain, stiffness, etc., which mostly worsen during the winter season. While it occurs more during the spring season, it can worsen during the winter season in some cases regardless of the season. There are certain foods that aggravate the problem and you need to stay away from them by avoiding certain foods from your diet that can help alleviate these symptoms and provide some relief during this time.
Foods to avoid in winter to reduce uric acid
Below is a list of foods that should be limited or eaten in smaller quantities during this time.
1- Sugary drinks
Consuming too much fructose through sugary drinks, especially high fructose corn syrup, has been studied as a risk factor for gout, so avoid all sugary drinks, as well as reduce your fructose intake overall.
Some types of meat and fish
Most red meats and seafood like sardines, anchovies and mackerel are high in purines, so it’s best to stick to once a week.
Vegetables such as asparagus, spinach, broccoli, mushrooms and peas: While these vegetables are not as high in purines as meat, they do contain enough purines to act as triggers for gout pain.
Things to keep in mind if you can’t control yourself
There will be times when avoiding these foods is impossible and that is when making sure you’re getting enough fluids, perhaps with an extra fluid of 50% of your normal intake, can help keep symptoms calm especially in the winter.
