Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverage in the world. Fifty percent of Americans drink an average of two cups of coffee per day. Coffee consumption may affect your risk of gout flareups secondary to certain biochemical mechanisms. Therefore, if you have gout, or are at risk for having frequent gout attacks, you should understand how coffee and caffeine may affect your disorder.
Why Gout Occurs
Gout is a form of arthritis, in which uric acid builds up in the body and settles in the joints. Specifically, uric acid is not processed effectively, forms crystals and affects the tissue lining joints. Tissue irritation causes pain, redness and swelling. The most common joint affected is the big toe; however, other joints are also prone to gout flares. Some patients may develop gout without elevated uric acid levels, but the mechanism of this is unknown. Gout is more common in males and tends to run in families, states Medline Plus, a service of the National Institutes of Health.
Caffeine and Gout
A 2007 article in "Arthritis Care and Research" reports a study relating the effects of caffeine on uric acid levels. Researchers at the Arthritis Institute of Canada analyzed data from 14,758 participants who reported their consumption of coffee, tea and caffeine. Intakes were correlated with uric acid levels in the bloodstream. They found that caffeine consumption was not associated with changes in uric acid levels.
Coffee and Gout
Although caffeine did not affect uric acid levels, coffee tends to have a different effect. Choi et al. published an article in "Arthritis and Rheumatism" that correlated the intake of coffee with gout flareups. In the study, 45,869 men recorded their coffee consumption for 12 years and incidences of gout flares were recorded. After 12 years, researchers found that those who drank four to five cups of coffee per day had a 40 percent decreased risk of gout flares, and those who drank more than six cups had a 59 percent decreased risk of gout.
Recommendations
If you enjoy moderate coffee consumption and have a history of gout, research strongly supports that coffee consumption can decrease the risk of gout. However, caffeine alone, or caffeine from teas, does not have an effect on gout. You must also consider the effects coffee and caffeine may have on other health problems you may have. Further, increasing coffee or caffeine may alter your sleep habits or worsen anxiety. Before adjusting your coffee or caffeine intake, talk to your doctor to ensure safety.
References
- "Arthritis Care and Research"; Coffee, tea, and caffeine consumption and serum uric acid level: The third national health and nutrition examination survey; Choi et al; 2007
- "Arthritis and Rheumatism"; Coffee consumption and risk of incident gout in men: A prospective study"; Choi et al., 2007
- Medline Plus: Gout
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