Is Lemon Good For Gout?
Yes, lemons fit into our gout treatment guidelines as they are widely recognized for their many health benefits and are often recommended as an effective remedy for treating gout.
Lemon juice is thought to be beneficial for gout because it has anti-inflammatory properties.
Millions of people worldwide suffer from gout, one of the most prevalent types of inflammatory arthritis.
Gout is caused by an excess of uric acid in your blood caused by a high purine diet and manifests as severe joint pain, especially in the big toe.
Citric acid, vitamin C, and potassium are the three primary components in lemons that reduce the frequency of gout attacks:
Lemons also contain minerals such as calcium and magnesium and electrolytes that are important for keeping the body hydrated which is important for gout sufferers as dehydration can make gout symptoms worse.
Citric Acid
Citric acid found in lemons can help to reduce the pain and discomfort caused by gout. Citric acid works by making uric acid more soluble, allowing it to be removed from the body more easily.
Therefore, drinking bottled lemon juice for gout or adding lemon wedges to your water is an effective way of increasing daily citric acid intake and reducing gout symptoms.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C, found in abundance in lemons, plays an important role in the metabolism of uric acid. It can help reduce levels of uric acid and lower inflammation.
Additionally, vitamin C is also a powerful antioxidant that helps to fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. This can result in improved overall health and reduced risk of gout flares.
Potassium
According to studies, potassium aids in lowering the body’s acidity. Organic salts are present among the potassium in lemon juice and these salts assist your body in eliminating uric acid through urine.
Additionally, potassium both delays the formation of uric acid crystals and aids in their dissolution after they have already formed.
Magnesium
Magnesium is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties and plays an integral role in gout management. It works by neutralizing excess uric acid in the body, which can help reduce gout pain and inflammation.
Calcium
Calcium helps to form bones and cartilage, which is helpful for those suffering from gout as it can reduce inflammation of the joints.
Medical Trials Involving Lemon And Gout
Only foods that have been medically proven to help relieve gout symptoms fit into our gout treatment guidelines.
The following results were reported from studies on lemon juice and gout:
- In 2017, a six-week research published in Elsevier indicated that individuals’ uric acid levels were reduced by daily consumption of fresh lemon juice.
- In a study by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, researchers found that lemon juice had a positive effect on gout symptoms. The research showed that daily consumption of fresh lemon juice for gout over a two-month period was associated with reduced inflammation and lower levels of uric acid in the blood.
- A 2015 study found that lemon juice aids in the synthesis of calcium carbonate by the body. It converts uric acid to water by forming a bond with it. This lessens the acidity of your blood and brings down the body’s uric acid levels.
- A clinical trial examined the blood tests of 75 people who consumed lemon juice that had just been squeezed every day. Some had gout and some didn’t. But all had reduced uric acid levels after 6 weeks.
- In another study by Harvard Health Publishing, researchers looked at the effects of lemon water for gout. Participants were asked to drink a glass of lemon water every day for three months. The results showed that regular consumption of lemon water led to significant reductions in levels of uric acid and inflammation.
So lemon juice is one of only a few natural gout treatments that have been clinically proven to work.
But lemons are not only included in acute gout treatment guidelines. They also carry a plethora of other health benefits.
Read on…
Additional Health Benefits Of Lemons
Here are a few other potential benefits of lemon juice consumption.
Lower risk of stroke
According to 2012 research, women who consumed more citrus fruit had a 19% lower risk of suffering a stroke.
Prevention of cancer
Lemon contains a substance called D-limonene that has been shown in animal experiments to possess anticancer effects. According to 2019 research, eating foods high in flavonoids daily may help prevent cancer and heart disease.
Maintaining a clear complexion
Collagen, the skin’s support structure, is formed with the help of vitamin C.
Reduce the risk of anemia
Anemia due to iron deficiency is rather common. The body’s capacity to absorb iron is maximized when diets rich in Vitamin C are combined with food high in iron.
Increasing immunity
The immune system may be strengthened by eating foods high in vitamin C and other antioxidants.
Kidney Stone Prevention
Lemon reduces the chances of kidney stones by raising urine volume and pH, which creates a less supportive environment for kidney stone development.
Side Effects Of Lemon
Lemons contain a lot of acids, hence consuming excessive lemon juice may cause:
- Mouth ulcers
- Heartburn and GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease).
- Tooth decay or enamel erosion.
- Trigger migraine
Conclusion
Our research found that lemon juice may be a helpful natural treatment for gout. And it’s cheap.
Regular consumption of fresh or bottled lemon juice for gout or lemon water for gout can reduce inflammation and uric acid levels and may help to decrease gout symptoms.
You can add a few slices of lemon to hot water every day. But to avoid the tooth erosion, maybe a lemon supplement would be a better bet.
Our Goutometer gives it an 8/10.
It looks very promising for lemons as a gout treatment. There have been plenty of human clinical trials concerning lemon and gout. But I’d slightly lean towards turmeric or tart cherry supplements as they have less side effects.
If you experience any gout symptoms, tell your doctor right away. To determine whether you have gout, your doctor can check your blood uric acid levels.
In the meantime, you can take immediate steps to lessen the effects of a gout attack by following our 10 minute gout cure.
In short, lemons are a powerhouse when it comes to helping manage gout because they contain vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help reduce inflammation and pain associated with gout.
You can simply add a lemon slice to water, take supplements or buy bottled lemon juice for gout.
We confidently include them in our acute gout treatment guidelines.
So next time you’re in need of gout relief, reach for some lemons!
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References
- Bondonno, N. P., Dalgaard, F., Kyrø, C., Murray, K., Bondonno, C. P., Lewis, J. R., Croft, K. D., Gislason, G., Scalbert, A., Cassidy, A., Tjønneland, A., Overvad, K., & Hodgson, J. M.. (2019). Flavonoid intake is associated with lower mortality in the Danish Diet Cancer and Health Cohort. Nature Communications, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-11622-x
- Cassidy, A., Rimm, E. B., O’Reilly, É. J., Logroscino, G., Kay, C., Chiuve, S. E., & Rexrode, K. M.. (2012). Dietary Flavonoids and Risk of Stroke in Women. Stroke, 43(4), 946–951. https://doi.org/10.1161/strokeaha.111.637835
- Shibuya, S., Ozawa, Y., Toda, T., Watanabe, K., Tometsuka, C., Ogura, T., Koyama, Y.-I., & Shimizu, T.. (2014). Collagen peptide and vitamin C additively attenuate age-related skin atrophy in Sod1-deficient mice. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 78(7), 1212–1220. https://doi.org/10.1080/09168451.2014.915728
- Lane, D. J., Jansson, P. J., & Richardson, D. R. (2016). Bonnie and Clyde: Vitamin C and iron are partners in crime in iron deficiency anaemia and its potential role in the elderly. Aging, 8(5), 1150–1152. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.100966
- Penniston, K. L., Nakada, S. Y., Holmes, R. P., & Assimos, D. G.. (2008). Quantitative Assessment of Citric Acid in Lemon Juice, Lime Juice, and Commercially-Available Fruit Juice Products. Journal of Endourology, 22(3), 567–570. https://doi.org/10.1089/end.2007.0304
- Choi, H. K., Gao, X., & Curhan, G.. (2009). Vitamin C Intake and the Risk of Gout in Men. Archives of Internal Medicine, 169(5), 502. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2008.606
- Biernatkaluza, E. K., & Schlesinger, N. (2015). SAT0318 Lemon Juice Reduces Serum Uric Acid Level Via Alkalization of Urine in Gouty and Hyperuremic Patients-A Pilot Study.
- Wang, H., Cheng, L., Lin, D., Ma, Z., & Deng, X. (2017). Lemon fruits lower the blood uric acid levels in humans and mice. Scientia Horticulturae, 220, 4-10.
Foods Good For Gout. 