Drinking Coffee Reduces Risk of Gout

The Boston researchers report a cup of coffee a day for years, the risk of gout in approximately 50 percent of women after the menopause. But there are also the forbidden drink.

Gout begins from the rising levels of uric acid in the blood. Moreover, uric acid crystals accumulate in the joints and the surrounding area. This causes swelling and pain. Gout is rare in young women, but usually one of the 20 postmenopausal women. In the early stages, the symptoms of gout come and go, which obviously affects mainly 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 unbearable," said lead researcher Dr. Hyon Choi of Boston University's School of Medicine.

Choi's study previously shown that drinking coffee, the risk of gout in men to reduce. He and his colleagues wanted to see if a similar effect also occurs in women, especially the elderly and postmenopausal women, the elimination of uric acid in urine process is disrupted due to reduced estrogen.

Research

Tim Choi cases of gout were observed in 89 433 women through the Nurses' Health Study since 1976. The researchers analyzed the lifestyle, food, beverage and consumer through to complete questionnaires in the study participants every 2-4 years.

After observing statistically other gout risk factors such as fat, alcohol, use of diuretics and milk intake, researchers found that drinking coffee can the life of 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 investigation. But then, the incidence of gout decreased with increasing coffee consumption was initially less than 1 cup per day (226 cases) to more than four cups a day (85 cases). As Legal quotes from Health24, Monday (09/20/2010).

Lower risk of gout

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

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

The study led the researchers conclude that "the other component of caffeine may also help to reduce the risk of gout."

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

High risk patients

"For a doctor, a big leap for someone to recommend, particularly older women, are to drink coffee to reduce their risk of gout," he said.

Choi stressed that the caffeine in coffee is only useful to reduce the risk of gout, not cure. Because caffeine is dangerous for people with gout, not only raises blood pressure and eroding the absorption of calcium in the body, 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 do not exist and can only get worse. On the other hand, if you drink coffee, and have a family history of gout, these benefits can be effective, "said Choi.

http://lifestyle.okezone.com/read/2010/09/20/27/373840/27/minum-kopi-turunkan-risiko-gout