Fruit Consumption and Uric Acid

Learn about the effects of fruit consumption on gout and uric acid buildup in the body.

A recent US News World Report suggests that "consuming more Vitamin C may help reduce a man's risk of gout." Researchers studied almost 47,000 men over a 20 year period. During that time, 1300 of the men had some form of gout. The study showed that the risk for gout was 17 percent lower among men who had a daily Vitamin C intake of 500 to 999 milligrams. It was 34 percent lower for the men who took in 1,000 to 1,499 milligrams of Vitamin C, and 45 percent lower with a daily intake of 1,500 milligrams or more.

What's even better, the research concluded that for every 500 mg increase in vitamin C intake, the risk for gout fell 17 percent. Researchers believe that Vitamin C reduces the levels of uric acid. The buildup or uric acid in the body is what causes the pain associated with gout because it tends to accumulate in the joints such as the big toe, knuckles, ankles, and the knees.

This means that adding Vitamin C to your diet is vital to preventing gout attacks. If you suffer from recurring bouts with gout then eat more fruits and vegetables rich in Vitamin C. Some of the most Vitamin C rich foods are:

• Oranges (orange juice)
• Strawberries
• Red Peppers
• Honeydew
• Kiwi
• Mangoes