Certain health conditions, diet, and genetics can cause high levels of uric acid. Avoiding alcohol and limiting some foods and beverages may help lower levels.
Uric acid is a natural waste product from the digestion of foods that contain purines. Purines are found in high levels in some foods and are formed and broken down in your body.
Usually, your body filters out uric acid through your kidneys and in urine. If you consume too much purine, or if your body can’t get rid of this by-product fast enough, uric acid can build up in your blood.
A standard uric acid level is under 6.8 mg/dLTrusted Source. A high uric acid level (above 6.8 mg/dL) is hyperuricemia. This can lead to gout and make your blood and urine too acidic.
Learn about conditions and factors that can cause uric acid to collect in your body, and read on to learn how you can lower uric acid levels in your body naturally.
Limit purine-rich foods
You can limit the source of uric acid. Purine-rich foods include some meats, seafood, and vegetables. All of these foods contribute to uric acid when digested.
Avoid or reduce your intake of foods such as:
- red meat
- organ meats
- fish
- shellfish
- poultry
Results from a 2020 studyTrusted Source suggest that reducing your intake of purine-rich vegetables may not affect uric acid levels.
Avoid sugar
Fructose is a natural sugar in fruit and honey. As your body breaks down fructose, it releasesTrusted Source purines and increases uric acid levels.
Note that fructose in beverages is absorbed quicker than sugars in whole foods because beverages don’t contain fiber, protein, or other nutrients.
Other sugars added to food include table sugar, corn syrup, and high fructose corn syrup. Research from 2020Trusted Source shows this faster absorption of refined sugars spikes your blood sugar levels and leads to higher amounts of uric acid.
Steps to lower the amount of sugar you consume include:
- Eat more whole foods.
- Limit processed, packaged foods.
- Check food labels for added sugars.
- Quench sugar cravings with fresh fruit.
- Replace sugary drinks with water, unsweetened drinks, or coffee without sugar.
Drink more water
Drinking plenty of fluids helps your kidneys flush out uric acid faster. The kidneys filter out about 70%Trusted Source of the uric acid in your body.
Drinking enough water can help support your kidneys and may reduce your chance of getting uric acid kidney stones.
Keep a water bottle with you at all times. Set an alarm every hour to remind you to take a few sips.
Avoid alcohol
Drinking alcohol can make you more dehydrated. Research from 2021Trusted Source shows it can also trigger high uric acid levels.
Some types of alcohol, such as beer, contain a higher purine content than others. However, even alcohol lower in purines can increase purine production.
Alcohol increases the metabolism of nucleotides, another source of purines that can be turned into uric acid. It also affects the rate at which uric acid is secreted, leading to increased blood levels.
Drink coffee
Research from 2016Trusted Source shows that coffee may help reduce serum uric acid levels in two main ways:
- It competesTrusted Source with the enzyme that breaks down purines in the body, lowering the uric acid production rate.
- It increases the rate at which your body excretes uric acid.
Other researchTrusted Source suggests there’s enough evidence in support of caffeine’s ability to lower uric acid levels. A 2021 studyTrusted Source also found frequent coffee intake was not significantly associated with hyperuricemia risk.
Researchers note that further studies are needed to clarify whether coffee may impact uric acid levels.
Lose weight
Obesity may contribute to elevated uric acid levels because the more you weigh, the less efficiently your kidneys work. Extra weight can increase uric acid production and decrease the excretion of uric acid through the urine.
If you’re overweight, it’s best to avoid fad diets and crash dieting. Talk with a dietitian about a healthy diet and weight loss plan. Your doctor can recommend a moderate weight goal for your body type.
Manage blood sugar
Research from 2019Trusted Source shows that hyperuricemia is linked to the development of diabetes and related complications. People with high blood sugar, such as those living with prediabetes or diabetes, are also at an increasedTrusted Source risk of adverse effects of hyperuricemia. However, more research is needed to explore this link.
Have your blood sugar level checked when you visit your doctor. This is vital even if you don’t have diabetes mellitus.
Your doctor may want to check your serum insulin level in addition to your blood glucose level if insulin resistance is suspected.
Add more fiber to your diet
Eating more fiber can help reduce uric acid levels. Fiber can also help balance your blood sugar and insulin levels. It also tends to increase satiety, helping to lower the risk of overeating.
Most adults should aim to for 22-34 grams (g)Trusted Source of fiber in their diet through high fiber foods. Slowly increase your fiber intake to avoid digestive discomfort.
Boost vitamin C intake
Some 2021 researchTrusted Source has found that high vitamin C intake can help lower uric acid levels. However, more studies are needed to understand exactly how vitamin C impacts uric acid levels.
The daily recommended intake of vitamin C is 75-120 milligrams (mg)Trusted Source for most adults, though upper daily limits max out at 2,000 mg.
You can also get more by eating foods high in vitamin C, especially fruits and vegetables. Over-the-counter (OTC) vitamin C supplements are also available.
Eat cherries
Research from 2019 Trusted Source has found that eating cherries and drinking cherry juice can help lower uric acid levels in people living with gout. Follow-up studies are needed to determine the long-term effects of cherry intake on uric acid levels.
Cherries contain anthocyanins, an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory compound that gives them their red color. They’re also a good source of fiber and vitamin C.
Consider snacking on a handful of cherries or sipping some unsweetened tart cherry juice.
Check your medications and supplements
Some medications and supplements can causeTrusted Source uric acid to build up. These include:
- aspirin
- diuretics
- vitamin B-3 (niacin)
- immune-suppressing drugs like cyclosporine and tacrolimus
- pyrazinamide, a drug that treats tuberculosis
- levodopa, a drug that treats Parkinson’s disease
- beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, and other blood pressure medications
If you need any of these medications and you have hyperglycemia, work with your doctor on an alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Which foods decrease uric acid in the body?
Vegetables, fruits, and whole grains help decrease uric acid. Learn more about gout-friendly foods.
How can I lower my uric acid quickly?
Some medications can lower uric acid levels quickly, but these are usually reserved for treating gout. In terms of natural remedies, reducing your uric acid levels will take more time as your body adjusts.
What is the best drink to flush uric acid?
Drinking at least eight glasses of water daily is best for helping your kidneys flush out uric acid.