Can drinking soda water lower uric acid and treat gout? The real drink is this

Rumor: "Soda water is alkaline and can alkalize urine. Drinking soda water regularly can lower uric acid and treat gout."

There are rumors online that soda water is alkaline and can alkalize urine, and drinking soda water regularly can lower uric acid and treat gout. This has led many people to believe it and expect to drink soda water to lower uric acid.

Rumor analysis: Not true.

Soda water contains sodium bicarbonate, which is alkaline. It may have a certain alkalizing effect on urine, but the sodium bicarbonate content in soda water is not high, and its alkalizing effect on urine is very weak and does not have a significant effect.

In recent years, soda water has been very popular, and some businesses even claim that "drinking soda water can reduce uric acid" and can treat gout. This has made people who need it eager to try, hoping that they can get rid of the "disease" by drinking soda water without injections or medication. Stop, this idea is not reliable, let's reveal the truth.

Soda water cannot lower uric acid

Uric acid is a metabolite of purine, which is divided into endogenous and exogenous. About 80% of uric acid in our body comes from the metabolism of endogenous purine, and only 20% of uric acid comes from purine-rich foods in the diet, which is exogenous. In order to maintain the body's uric acid balance, the body will mainly excrete uric acid through the kidneys and small intestine. About 70% of normal people are excreted by the kidneys and 30% by the intestines every day. Increased uric acid production or decreased uric acid excretion can cause hyperuricemia, so inhibiting uric acid production and promoting uric acid excretion are the main means of treating hyperuricemia. Soda water is a beverage containing sodium bicarbonate, which is an alkaline substance. In theory, it can alkalize urine, increase the solubility of uric acid in urine, and promote the excretion of uric acid. The "Chinese Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperuricemia-Related Diseases (2023 Edition)" mentioned: Sodium bicarbonate is suitable for patients with renal insufficiency combined with hyperuricemia and (or) gout. The starting dose is 0.5-2.0 g/time orally, 1-4 times/day, and should be taken 1-2 hours apart from other drugs. The main adverse reactions are flatulence and gastrointestinal discomfort. It can be used in cases of hyperkalemia. The sodium bicarbonate content in the soda water we often drink is generally 0.1 g/L. Drinking 2 bottles of 500 ml of soda water will only take in 0.1 g of sodium bicarbonate, which is far from the effective therapeutic dose.

Figure: E-commerce platform

If you find that your uric acid index has indeed decreased after you start drinking soda water, it is most likely because: while subconsciously drinking more soda water, you also consume more water, and drinking more water helps the excretion of uric acid.

Drink soda water often and be careful of this ingredient

Almost all soda water contains sodium salt. Most soda water currently on the market has a low sodium content, but some salty soda water has a high sodium content. If you like to drink it in moderation, frequent large intake is not good for cardiovascular health and may increase the risk of high blood pressure. For example, the soda water in the picture below has a sodium content of 50 mg/100 ml, and each can has a net content of 330 ml. The average person can easily drink 2 cans, and the sodium intake is 330 mg, which is equivalent to about 1 gram of salt, equivalent to about 2 fingernails of salt.

Figure: Salty soda, high in sodium

Figure: 1 fingernail of salt, about 0.5 grams

The "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022)" recommends that the daily salt intake per person should not exceed 5 grams. At present, the salt intake of Chinese residents is still at a high level. The current per capita salt intake in my country is 9.3 grams/day, almost twice the upper limit recommended by WHO and the "Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022)". Therefore, for people who usually have a heavy taste, they must try to control their salt intake. If you just like to drink soda water, it is recommended to choose less salty ones. When buying, look at the nutrition label and choose one with a relatively low sodium content.

Figure: Low-sodium soda

The real drink for high uric acid is boiled water

Drinking water regularly and regularly can promote the excretion of uric acid and prevent uric acid kidney stones. When the heart and kidney functions are normal, you should drink enough water. It is recommended to drink 2000~3000 ml per day, and try to maintain a daily urine volume of more than 2000 ml. In addition, if you sweat a lot during exercise, you must also pay attention to replenishing water. Because exercise will cause an increase in lactic acid in the body and affect the excretion of uric acid, patients with hyperuricemia should try not to do strenuous exercise. In summary, although soda water is an alkaline drink, the sodium bicarbonate content in it is not enough to reduce uric acid or treat gout. Don't expect to drink soda water to treat the disease. If you have hyperuricemia or gout, the drink you really want to choose is water.

Looking in the mirror of rumors

The reason why these health rumors can spread widely is mainly because they take advantage of patients' eagerness to seek medical treatment. Many patients are suffering from illnesses, and it is inevitable that they will be tempted by "instant effects" or simple and "effective" methods to cure diseases. However, I hope everyone will be rational, have firm confidence, and take scientific prevention and treatment measures. Superstitious "folk remedies" may not only fail to cure the disease, but may harm the body.

References

[1] Chinese Society of Critical Metabolic Diseases, Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus Group on Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperuricemia-Related Diseases, Zou Hejian, Gao Xin, Li Lin, Zhu Xiaoxia, Dai Yuxiang, Lin Huandong, Dai Ruolian, Xue Luan, Fan Song, Lü Xiaoxi, Wang Li, Deng Jianghong. Multidisciplinary Expert Consensus on Diagnosis and Treatment of Hyperuricemia-Related Diseases in China (2023 Edition)[J]. Chinese Journal of Practical Internal Medicine, 2023, 43(6):461-480.

[2] Department of Food Safety Standards and Monitoring and Assessment, National Health Commission, National Food Safety Risk Assessment Center, Expert Group on Dietary Guidelines for Adults with Hyperuricemia and Gout, Fang Haiqin, Jiang Ping, Wang Yongjun, Fan Wenchang, Qu Pengfeng, Li Ning. Dietary Guidelines for Adults with Hyperuricemia and Gout (2024 Edition)[J]. Journal of Health Research, 2024, 53(3): 352-356.

[3] Chinese Medical Association, Chinese Medical Association Journal, Chinese Medical Association General Practice Branch, Chinese Medical Association Rheumatology and Immunology Branch Gout Professional Committee (Study Group) Chinese Medical Association, Editorial Committee of "Chinese Journal of General Practitioners", Expert Group on the Compilation of "Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gout and Hyperuricemia in Primary Care". Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gout and Hyperuricemia in Primary Care (2019)[J]. Chinese Journal of General Practitioners, 2020, 19(04): 293-303.

Author: Xue Qingxin, registered nutritionist

Review | Ruan Guangfeng, Deputy Director of Kexin Food and Health Information Exchange Center