Drinking Coffee Lower Risk of Gout

The Boston researchers report, a cup of coffee every day for years can reduce the risk of gout in approximately 50 percent of postmenopausal women. But, there are also among the forbidden drink. 

Gout begins from the rising levels of uric acid in the blood. Furthermore, uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints and the surrounding area. This causes swelling and pain. Gout is rare in young women, but mostly at one of 20 postmenopausal women. In the early stages, the symptoms of gout come and go, which obviously affects mostly the legs. 

"The pain is described as one of the most severe pain experienced by humans, such as broken bones. You can not walk, even light objects such as bedding feels unbearably heavy," said lead researcher, Dr. Hyon Choi of Boston University's School of Medicine. 

Choi's research indicated previously shown that drinking coffee reduce the risk of gout in men. He and his colleagues wanted to see whether a similar effect also occurs in women, particularly elderly and postmenopausal women who process the disposal of uric acid through urine disrupted due to reduced estrogen. 

Research 

Tim Choi observed cases of gout in 89 433 women through the Nurses' Health Study since 1976. The researchers analyzed the lifestyle, diet, and beverage consumption habits through questionnaires to be filled in the study participants every 2-4 years.

After statistically observing other gout risk factors such as body fat mass, alcohol consumption, use of diuretics and milk intake, the researchers found that drinking coffee can make life a significant difference in the risk of gout attacks first. 

"The higher level of consumption, the lower the risk," said Choi. 

A total of 896 cases of gout were reported by study participants during the research conducted. But then, the number of cases of gout decreased with increasing coffee consumption is initially less than 1 cup a day (226 cases) to more than 4 cups a day (85 cases). Such as Legal quotes from Health24, Monday (09/20/2010). 

Lower risk of gout 

"The risk of gout decreased 22 percent with intake of 1-3 cups of coffee a day and decreased 57 percent with a consumption of more than 4 cups a day compared with those who did not consume coffee," the researchers wrote in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 

A similar risk reduction seen also in women who drank decaffeinated coffee, but not in tea or soda pop contains caffeine. 

The study led the researchers conclude that "the other component of caffeine can also contribute to reducing the risk of gout." 

"But what is it with coffee to provide such benefits, remains unclear. And, not everyone can tolerate coffee, so not recommended for all elderly women to start drinking coffee, "said Choi. 

Big risk in patients 

"For a doctor, would be a leap too great to recommend someone, especially elderly women, to drink coffee in order to reduce their risk of gout," he said.

Choi emphasized that the caffeine in coffee is only useful to reduce the risk of gout, not cure. Because caffeine is hazardous for people with gout, not only raises blood pressure and erode the absorption of calcium in the body, also increase the risk of osteoporosis. 

"Research is only talking to a long-term benefits of consumption. If you start the coffee in patients with gout, these benefits may not exist and may make it worse. On the other hand, if you're drinking coffee, and have a family history of gout, these benefits may be effective, "said Choi.