In the 18th century, European physicians, including the English doctor Thomas Sydenham, known as the “Father of Gout,” meticulously documented the symptoms and treatments of gout. However, his advice primarily focused on dietary control (avoiding seafood, meats, and alcohol).
During the same period, European aristocrats had access to better doctors and medical resources, allowing them to try new treatments, such as herbal remedies and mineral water therapy. Some nobles would even visit spa towns like Baden in Germany, where it was popular to treat gout with hot springs.
In comparison, aristocrats were more inclined to rely on prescriptions from doctors rather than using folk remedies like drinking coffee to alleviate gout.
Hello, everyone, welcome back to Jembon’s Health Channel. I’m Abang.
So, can drinking coffee really help control uric acid levels?
First, in 2010, a large-scale study in Japan, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, tracked nearly 50,000 Japanese men over a long period. The researchers found that those who drank coffee, especially sugar-free coffee, generally had lower uric acid levels. This suggests a potential benefit of coffee in controlling uric acid levels.
Subsequently, a 2018 Italian study further explored the relationship between coffee intake and the risk of gout. The results, published in the Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, found that people who drank coffee, particularly black coffee, had a lower risk of gout and relatively lower uric acid levels. The study speculated that this might be related to the antioxidants in coffee, which could help reduce the production of uric acid in the body, thereby lowering the risk of gout flare-ups.
In 2021, the American Heart Association released a study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, indicating that moderate coffee consumption, especially 2 to 3 cups per day, might help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases related to high uric acid. Although this study didn’t specifically target uric acid, it highlighted the antioxidant properties of coffee, which could benefit overall metabolic health.
Lastly, in 2022, a Chinese research team published a study in BMC Public Health, indicating that coffee intake was associated with lower uric acid levels in middle-aged and elderly people. Especially in the eastern regions of China, people who regularly drank coffee had lower uric acid levels. The researchers suggested that this might be related to the polyphenolic compounds in coffee, which could help regulate uric acid levels.
In conclusion, studies from various countries and regions suggest that black coffee may have specific health benefits, particularly in lowering uric acid levels, reducing gout attacks, and preventing cardiovascular diseases.
The antioxidants and polyphenolic compounds in coffee are believed to be the primary reasons, as these components have anti-inflammatory, metabolic-regulating, and cell-protecting effects. They may help reduce uric acid production in the body and improve overall metabolic health.
In simple terms, drinking black coffee may not only benefit uric acid levels but also help prevent gout and heart diseases. These natural substances in coffee are the key.
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