What Can I Drink to Flush Gout? Top Beverages for Managing Uric Acid

According to the Arthritis Foundation, adequate hydration is a key strategy for managing gout. The good news is that several beverages can help you flush uric acid and manage symptoms, making hydration an essential part of your gout management plan.

Quick Summary

This guide covers recommended drinks for reducing uric acid and managing gout, including water, tart cherry juice, and low-fat dairy. It also highlights which beverages, like sugary drinks and alcohol, should be limited or avoided to help prevent painful gout attacks.

Key Points

• Stay Highly Hydrated with Water: Drinking plenty of water is the most crucial step for flushing uric acid and preventing crystal formation.

• Incorporate Tart Cherry Juice: Unsweetened tart cherry juice, rich in anthocyanins, can help lower uric acid levels and reduce inflammation.

• Drink Lemon Water Daily: Fresh lemon juice helps create a more alkaline body environment, which assists in neutralizing excess uric acid.

• Opt for Low-Fat Dairy: Skim milk and low-fat dairy products contain proteins that promote uric acid excretion.

• Consume Coffee in Moderation: Long-term coffee consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of developing gout, but it should be enjoyed without excessive sugar.

• Avoid Sugary Drinks and Alcohol: Beverages high in fructose, like soda and sweetened juices, and alcoholic drinks can raise uric acid levels and trigger gout attacks.

• Use Caution with High-Fructose Juices: While some fruit is good, concentrated juices can lead to a fructose spike that increases uric acid.

The Foundational Role of Water in Flushing Uric Acid

When addressing the question, "What can I drink to flush gout?", water is undoubtedly the most important beverage. Gout occurs when there is an excess of uric acid in the blood, leading to the formation of painful urate crystals in the joints. Your kidneys are responsible for filtering and excreting uric acid, and proper hydration is crucial for this process. When you don't drink enough water, your urine becomes concentrated, making it harder for the kidneys to eliminate uric acid effectively.

During a gout flare-up, some experts recommend significantly increasing your water intake to help dilute and flush the excess uric acid. Simply carrying a reusable water bottle and sipping from it throughout the day can serve as a constant reminder to stay hydrated.

Uric Acid-Lowering and Anti-Inflammatory Drinks

Beyond plain water, several other drinks have been shown to be beneficial for gout sufferers due to their uric acid-lowering or anti-inflammatory properties.

Tart Cherry Juice

Tart cherry juice is one of the most widely researched and recommended drinks for gout. It contains anthocyanins, which are antioxidants with powerful anti-inflammatory effects that can help lower uric acid levels. Studies have shown that consuming tart cherry juice concentrate can significantly reduce serum urate levels and potentially decrease the frequency of gout attacks. For best results, choose an unsweetened variety to avoid adding fructose, which can raise uric acid.

• How to consume: Drink 1-2 cups of unsweetened tart cherry juice or dilute a concentrate with water daily.
• Research insight: One study found that patients who consumed cherries or cherry extract for two days had 35% fewer gout flares.

Lemon Water

Despite being acidic before consumption, lemon water helps create a more alkaline environment in the body once it's metabolized, which can help neutralize uric acid. The vitamin C in lemons is also associated with lower uric acid levels. A 2015 study showed that adding fresh lemon juice to water daily helped reduce uric acid in participants over six weeks.

Low-Fat Milk

Low-fat dairy products, including skim milk and yogurt, may also help reduce uric acid levels. The proteins in milk have been shown to promote the excretion of uric acid through urine. Including low-fat dairy in your daily routine can be a tasty and effective strategy for managing gout.

Coffee

For long-term coffee drinkers, moderate consumption (4-6 cups per day) has been linked to a reduced risk of developing gout. Coffee contains compounds that can help lower uric acid levels, though its ability to prevent recurrent attacks isn't as certain. Enjoying a few cups of black coffee without added sugar can be part of a gout-friendly diet.

Herbal Teas

Certain herbal teas can assist in gout management through hydration and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea has antioxidant properties that may moderately lower uric acid levels. Nettle tea is another option traditionally used for joint pain that may have diuretic effects, helping to flush out uric acid. Always consult a healthcare professional before adding herbal teas if you are taking other medications.

A Comparison of Gout-Friendly Beverages

Beverage	Primary Benefit	Action on Uric Acid	Considerations
Water	Hydration	Flushes uric acid from kidneys	Should be the primary fluid source; aim for 8-16 cups daily, especially during a flare.
Tart Cherry Juice	Anti-inflammatory properties	Lowers serum urate levels through antioxidants	Choose unsweetened concentrate to avoid added fructose.
Lemon Water	Alkalizing properties	Helps neutralize uric acid	Use fresh lemons; drink diluted to protect tooth enamel.
Low-Fat Milk	Dairy proteins	Promotes uric acid excretion	Choose low-fat or skim versions over full-fat dairy.
Coffee	Uric acid-lowering compounds	Slows purine breakdown and speeds excretion	Safe in moderation for many; avoid excessive sugar and cream.
Green Tea	Antioxidant properties	Moderately lowers uric acid	Offers general anti-inflammatory benefits; requires more research for specific gout effects.

The Critical Importance of Avoiding Certain Drinks

Just as important as knowing what to drink is understanding what to avoid. Certain beverages can actively increase uric acid levels or trigger a gout attack.

• Sugary drinks: Soft drinks, sweetened juices, and other sugar-sweetened beverages are high in fructose. The body breaks down fructose into purines, which increases uric acid levels.
• Alcohol: Beer and hard liquors are particularly problematic for gout. Alcohol not only raises uric acid levels but also impairs the kidneys' ability to excrete it. Wine is generally considered less harmful in moderation, but complete avoidance during a flare-up is best.
• High-fructose juices: While whole fruits can be beneficial, many fruit juices, including some orange juice, contain concentrated fructose that can contribute to high uric acid.

Conclusion: A Proactive Drinking Strategy

Managing gout involves a multifaceted approach, and the beverages you consume play a significant role. The most effective strategy is to stay consistently and thoroughly hydrated with water to support your kidneys in flushing uric acid. Incorporating drinks like unsweetened tart cherry juice, lemon water, and low-fat milk can provide additional benefits through anti-inflammatory properties and by actively lowering uric acid levels. Equally important is the disciplined avoidance of high-fructose beverages and alcohol, which are known to trigger painful flare-ups. By being mindful of your fluid intake, you can effectively complement medical treatment and reduce the frequency and severity of gout attacks. For further guidance on diet and gout, the Arthritis Foundation offers extensive resources.

Sources

• 10 Home Remedies For Gout - Medical News Today
• What to Eat (and Avoid) If You Have Gout - National Kidney Foundation
• Cherry Juice for Gout: Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, and More - Healthline
• Are Cherries a Cure for Gout? - Arthritis Foundation
• Drinks to Control Uric Acid Level - Continental Hospitals
• Lemon Juice as a Treatment for Gout - Healthline
• What to Eat (and Avoid) If You Have Gout - National Kidney Foundation
• Gout Diet Dos and Don'ts - Arthritis Foundation
• Coffee Consumption May Protect Against the Development of Gout... - Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center
• What Is the Best Thing to Drink If You Have Gout? - MedicineNet
• Gout (Low Purine) Diet: Best Foods to Eat & What to Avoid - Cleveland Clinic
• 5 Drinks That Can Increase Your Gout Risk - Everyday Health
• Drinks to Control Uric Acid Level - Continental Hospitals
• 5 Drinks That Can Increase Your Gout Risk - Everyday Health
• Gout Diet Dos and Don'ts - Arthritis Foundation
• Drinks to Control Uric Acid Level - Continental Hospitals
• 10 Home Remedies For Gout - Medical News Today
• Best (and Worst) Foods for Gout - WebMD
• 4 Foods and Drinks Gout Patients Should Avoid - Pharmacy Times
• Drinks to Control Uric Acid Level - Continental Hospitals
• How To Get Rid Of Gout: Effective Solutions - arthritisCARE
• What to Eat (and Avoid) If You Have Gout - National Kidney Foundation

Frequently Asked Questions

Can lemon water actually flush gout?

While it can't cure gout, lemon water may help manage it. The citric acid in lemons, when metabolized, can make your body more alkaline, which helps neutralize uric acid. This, combined with high water intake, assists the kidneys in flushing out the acid.

Does tart cherry juice really help with gout?

Yes, studies suggest that tart cherry juice can be beneficial. It contains anthocyanins, which are potent antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown to lower uric acid levels and reduce the frequency of gout attacks.

Is coffee safe to drink if I have gout?

In moderation, yes. Research indicates that long-term, moderate coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of developing gout. Coffee can reduce uric acid levels by slowing down purine breakdown and speeding up excretion. Enjoy it black to avoid added sugar.

What drinks should I completely avoid with gout?

You should strictly limit or avoid sugary drinks like sodas and sweetened fruit juices due to their high fructose content, which can increase uric acid. Alcohol, especially beer and liquor, should also be avoided, as it both raises uric acid and hinders its excretion.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a gout flare-up at home?

While no drink is an instant cure, the fastest at-home approach during a flare is to drink plenty of water (up to 16 cups, as recommended by some sources) to flush uric acid, rest, elevate the joint, and apply an ice pack. Always consult a doctor for a proper treatment plan.

Are all fruit juices bad for gout?

Not all fruit juices are equal. While sugary, high-fructose corn syrup juices should be avoided, and even regular fruit juices can be high in fructose, some options are better than others. Unsweetened tart cherry juice is specifically recommended, and some find moderation with orange juice acceptable.

Can I have milk if I have gout?

Yes, low-fat or skim milk can be beneficial for gout. Studies show that low-fat dairy can help reduce uric acid levels and promote its excretion. This makes it a great addition to a gout-friendly diet.