Blueberries And Gout

Are Blueberries Good For Gout?

Blueberries are packed with goodness. They are a great source of fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants, which make them an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

I love to sprinkle them on my morning muesli. Their juicy sweetness is the perfect complement to my bowl of oats, honey and milk.

But did you know that blueberries may also have an effect on gout?

Studies have shown that consuming blueberries regularly can help reduce inflammation and prevent painful flare-ups associated with gout.

What Is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood.

Uric acid is caused by the breakdown of chemicals called purines, which are found naturally in many foods.

Uric acid crystals can build up in the joints, causing swelling and pain.

Gout is like having broken glass in your joints and the damage can be long-lasting. The pain is debilitating and it can take weeks to recover from a gout flare-up.

To check if you have gout, talk to your doctor about having a blood test.

Foods Bad For Gout

Uric acid is normally washed out of our system through urination, but there are many factors that can affect its levels.

High uric acid levels can be triggered by excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, or certain medical conditions.

You’ll want to avoid foods bad for gout such as red meat, shellfish, and sugary drinks if you’re at risk of gout. These are high in purines and can lead to a flare-up.

Blueberries And Gout

But luckily, it’s also possible to lower uric acid levels with the help of some simple dietary changes like increasing your intake of fruits and veggies.

Blueberries have been medically proven to help lower your chance of a gout attack.

This is due to the high levels of anthocyanins found in blueberries. These powerful antioxidants are known to have anti-inflammatory properties, making them a great tool for managing gout symptoms.

In particular, antioxidants such as ellagic acid found in blueberries are shown to help break down uric acid crystals and prevent the painful inflammation that accompanies gout.

Ellagic acid works by reducing inflammation, increasing uric acid solubility, and preventing the formation of uric acid crystals in the joints.

Other antioxidants such as glutathione and quercetin have also been shown to help improve symptoms of gout, making blueberries an incredibly powerful superfood for managing gout.

Glutathione works by reducing oxidative stress, which can contribute to symptoms of gout.

And quercetin is a potent antioxidant that inhibits the production of uric acid and promotes its excretion from the body.

Also, blueberries are packed with vitamins such as vitamin C and K, which further help to reduce inflammation and promote a healthy immune system.

Vitamin C in particular has been shown to help improve symptoms of gout, as it helps the body get rid of excess uric acid.

Blueberries And Gout Studies

• One study by Harvard University in 2011 found that vitamin C helped reduce the risk of gout by 41%, so be sure to include plenty of vitamin C-rich foods like blueberries in your diet.

• Another Harvard study found that women who consumed at least 2 servings of blueberries per week had a much lower risk of developing gout compared to those who didn’t regularly eat blueberries.

• Another study by the University of Michigan found that anthocyanins in blueberries can help prevent inflammation associated with gout and other types of arthritis.

Anthocyadins are antioxidants found in the skin of blueberries, and they work to reduce inflammation in the joints by slowing down production of inflammatory markers.

Blueberries aren’t the only fruit to include in your diet though. Other antioxidant-rich foods like cherries, strawberries and blackberries are amongst the best fruits for gout.

Dark fruits in particular, such as grapes, plums, cranberries and raisins also contain high levels of anthocyanins.

Conclusion

So if you suffer from gout, be sure to make blueberries a regular part of your diet. Although they aren’t a gout cure on their own, they should be part of your overall gout diet.

Whether you enjoy them on their own or add them to smoothies and juices, the powerful antioxidants in blueberries can help you manage your symptoms and stay pain-free.

They are not only delicious, but they also help keep you healthy.

After all, who doesn’t love the sweet, tangy flavor of blueberries?