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In today’s times, due to bad lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits, High Uric Acid (Hyperuricemia) is becoming a very serious and painful problem for people. The irony is that in the initial days, people ignore it considering it to be mere fatigue or normal joint pain. But gradually this pain becomes so severe that the affected joints start getting unbearable bitterness and swelling like pricking of needles. When the water goes above the head and the patient reaches the doctor, then the blood test shows that the level of uric acid in the body has crossed the danger mark. Let us understand in simple language what is uric acid, why do people ignore it in the beginning and by eating which things it increases rapidly. After all, what is uric acid? The science behind it: Uric acid is a natural waste product produced in our body. When our body breaks down the protein element called ‘purine’ present in food, uric acid is formed as a by-product. Under normal circumstances, our kidneys filter this uric acid from the blood and remove it from the body through urine. But the problem starts when: We start eating too many purine rich foods in our diet, due to which uric acid starts forming in excess in the body. Our kidneys become weak or slow and are not able to expel it from the body in sufficient quantity. In such a situation, this toxic waste starts dissolving in the blood and gradually gets deposited in the form of small sharp-shaped crystals (Urate Crystals) between the joints of the bones (especially in the toes, ankles, knees and fingers). These crystals prick like needles, causing severe gout in the joints. Why do people ignore its symptoms in the beginning? Like paranoia or any other disease, people do not understand the early alarm of uric acid due to lack of awareness. These are the two main reasons behind this: Accepting minor pain: In the beginning this pain is not continuous. Sometimes there was slight pain in the feet and it got cured after applying balm or taking rest. People keep avoiding it for months considering it to be muscle strain or general fatigue, which later turns into chronic gout. Illusion of injury or sprain: People often assume that sudden prickling and redness in the joints means that a mild sprain may have occurred while walking or some old internal injury may have surfaced. If serum uric acid test is not done at the right time, the bones gradually become weak. Eating which foods increases uric acid at rocket speed? If you want to avoid the problem of uric acid or are already a patient of it, then you should immediately stay away from the following high-purine foods or limit their intake: Food Categories Harmful Foods (High Purine Foods) Non-veg Red meat (mutton, beef), organ meat (liver) and sea-foods (fish, shrimp) Sugary drinks Packaged juices, cold drinks, sodas and those with high sugar Processed foods Refined carbs Flour items (bread, pasta, pizza, biscuits) and bakery items Packaged snacks Canned foods, ready-to-eat meals and chips with preservatives Some vegetables and pulses Spinach, mushrooms, green peas, cauliflower and some heavy pulses with peels Note: This does not at all mean that eating these things will increase the uric acid of every normal person. Green vegetables and pulses are good for health, but if your medical report already shows high uric acid, then you should immediately stop or reduce the intake of these specific foods as per the advice of your doctor or dietician. 3 easy ways to reduce increased uric acid: Drink plenty of water: Drink at least 3 to 4 liters of water a day. Water helps the most in diluting excess uric acid from your blood and removing it through the kidneys. Take Vitamin C: Increase the intake of citrus fruits like orange, lemon, amla and seasonal fruits. According to medical research, Vitamin C is helpful in reducing uric acid levels naturally. Keep weight under control: Obesity and increased fat increase the problem of uric acid manifold. Therefore, do walk, yoga or exercise for 30 minutes daily.