Gout attacks can be pretty shocking. It may seem as if it came out of nowhere. The pain, swelling, redness, and other symptoms can cause many discomforts and hamper one’s daily tasks. Fortunately, regardless of how long a person has had gout, specific lifestyle changes can make a huge difference. Here, we discuss some vital lifestyle tips for gout to make the condition more bearable.

1. Consume cherries or tart cherry juice
Drinking tart cherry juice or eating cherries can reduce the risk of gout attacks significantly. These fruits have red-purple pigments in them, which are known as anthocyanins. These elements have potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties and assure good protection against joint problems.

2. Add apples to the diet
Apples have a high malic acid content, which can neutralize the uric acid in the blood. This is especially useful since uric acid buildup is the leading cause of gout. Instead of apples, one can also introduce apple cider vinegar to their meals to lower the accumulation of uric acid in the blood and relieve the symptoms.

3. Maintain a healthy body weight
Maintaining healthy body weight is pivotal for lowering the risk of gout attacks. Besides increasing cholesterol and blood pressure, obesity also elevates uric acid levels and increases the chance of gout flare-ups. Also, rapid weight loss that usually occurs during strict dieting may increase uric acid levels. Hence, it is vital to make long-term sustainable changes instead of following some fad diet. If a person wants to lose weight, they should eat a healthy and balanced diet and pick nutrition-dense foods.

4. Drink enough water
As mentioned, a lot of uric acid puts a person at risk of developing gout. So it is best to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Consuming adequate fluid helps dilute uric acid, preventing gout and even kidney stones. One should aim for at least eight cups of fluid every day. The amount should increase based on the weather and activity level. If drinking water does not seem exciting, one can also consume water-filled fruits like watermelons or drink fruit juices.

5. Minimize stress levels
Physical and emotional stress can accelerate uric acid levels and result in a gout attack. More so, stress can make the symptoms worse and cause a flare-up. Mindfulness, physical activity, and listening to good music are some practical ways to curb stress. It is indeed one of the essential lifestyle tips for gout.

6. Add celery seeds to the diet
Another prevalent home remedy to keep gout symptoms in check is by consuming celery seeds. They keep uric acid levels in check and reduce the chances of a gout attack.

These were some of the most useful lifestyle tips to manage gout. If a person continues to experience flare-ups or notices their symptoms worsening, they should visit a doctor and seek medical help.