High Uric Acid Can Be Controlled, Here are 5 Morning Habits Recommended by Experts

Illustration of gout sufferers (Photo: Freepik/fabrikasimf)

JAKARTA - High uric acid levels are now a health problem that is quite common and can be experienced by anyone, regardless of age.

In addition to diet and treatment, habits done in the morning turn out to play a big role in helping to keep uric acid levels under control.

Simple things like drinking enough water, choosing the right breakfast menu, to doing light physical activity can help the kidneys work, reduce inflammation, and naturally prevent the buildup of uric acid.

Here are 5 morning habits that experts recommend to help control gout while maintaining overall body health, as reported by the Economic Times website.

1. Start the Day with Warm Water and Lemon

Drinking a glass of warm water mixed with lemon juice in the morning can help improve digestion and stimulate the process of removing uric acid from the body.

Even though it tastes sour, lemon actually has the effect of alkalizing the body so as to help balance excess uric acid. Lemon is also rich in vitamin C, which is known to help lower uric acid levels by increasing its excretion through urine.

A study entitled 'Vitamin C Intake and the Risk of Gout in Men' conducted by HK Choi and team found higher vitamin C intake is associated with a decreased risk of gout.

2. Meet the Water Intake

Drinking enough water since morning is very important to help the kidneys remove toxins and work optimally. Water helps dilute uric acid in the blood so as to prevent the formation of crystals in the joints. Starting the day with 2-3 glasses of water is a simple but effective step to support kidney health and the process of naturally removing uric acid.

3. Choose Low Purine Breakfast

Foods high in purines such as red meat, offal, and some types of seafood can increase uric acid levels. For breakfast, you should choose low-purine foods such as oatmeal, fruits, yogurt, and whole grains. In addition to being lighter for digestion, these foods are also high in fiber which helps the metabolism and control of uric acid.

A 2020 study titled 'The Association between Purine-Rich Food Intake and Hyperuricemia' states that high-fiber foods can help digestion and maintain blood sugar stability, which is important for keeping uric acid levels normal.

4. Do Light Exercise in the Morning

Light physical activity such as walking, stretching, or yoga in the morning can improve blood circulation and help the kidneys function in removing uric acid. Regular exercise also helps maintain ideal body weight, which plays an important role in controlling gout. However, keep in mind, too much exercise can actually increase uric acid levels temporarily due to dehydration and increased lactic acid.

5. Delay Caffeine Consumption

Drinking caffeinated coffee or tea right after waking up can cause mild dehydration and burden the work of the kidneys, so that the process of filtering uric acid becomes less optimal. A 2021 study found that caffeinated coffee can slightly increase uric acid levels in the blood, while decaffeinated coffee actually helps to reduce it.

Delaying the consumption of caffeine and replacing it with water in the morning can be a small step that has a big impact on gout sufferers.

By implementing these simple habits on a regular basis, gout management can be done more naturally and sustainably.