Uric acid is produced when the element ‘Purine’, which is found in the body’s cells and some of the foods we eat, breaks down. Although it is usually excreted through urine, when the amount increases, it accumulates in the joints and causes diseases such as ‘Gout’. The main causes are:
Foods containing purines: Red meat, organ meats (liver, kidney), and some types of sea fish (sardine, sardines) are high in purines. Eating too much of these can increase uric acid.
Sweet drinks and fructose: Fructose in artificially sweetened soft drinks and packaged juices accelerates the production of uric acid in the body.
Kidney failure: The kidneys filter and remove excess uric acid from the blood. When the kidneys slow down, uric acid accumulates in the blood instead of being excreted.
Obesity and diabetes: In overweight people, the body produces more uric acid and the kidneys have difficulty excreting it. Diabetes and high blood pressure also contribute to this.
Alcohol: Alcohol interferes with the excretion of uric acid from the body. People who drink beer are especially at risk of developing uric acid.
