Before discussing whether soda water is useful, it is essential to understand why gout occurs. Only by knowing the cause of gout can we comprehend the underlying reasons. Gout can be divided into primary and secondary types, with unclear etiology and pathogenesis. However, it is certain that it is closely related to hyperuricemia. Primary gout is more associated with genetic and environmental factors, with most patients suffering from uric acid excretion disorders, and about 10% of patients have excessive uric acid production. Secondary gout is mainly caused by kidney disease or medication-induced reduction in uric acid excretion.
You may often hear friends with gout mentioning high purine levels. Indeed, gout is closely related to abnormal purine metabolism. Problems with purine metabolism lead to increased blood uric acid concentration, and the accumulation of urate crystals in joints results in gout. Factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, dietary habits, and obesity can make you more susceptible to gout. It is also important to note that not all individuals with hyperuricemia will develop gout, with only 5%-10% showing clinical symptoms.
Triggers of Gout:
1. Lifestyle and Psychological Stress: Irregular living habits, frequent staying up late, and excessive psychological stress can lead to metabolic disorders and increase the likelihood of triggering gout.
2. Alcohol Consumption: The metabolism of alcohol absorbs a lot of water, causing an increase in blood concentration. Saturated uric acid then enters soft tissues to form crystals, gradually developing into gout. It is still necessary to control alcohol intake and reduce drinking. Additionally, beer metabolism produces excess lactic acid, which competes with uric acid excretion, and many beers are made from wheat, which produces uric acid upon metabolism.
3. Diet: Excessive consumption of high-purine foods is an important factor in triggering gout. The breakdown of purines produces uric acid, leading to a series of subsequent reactions. Many people enjoy eating seafood, hot pots, and animal offal. Long-term intake of large amounts of purine substances may cause kidney uric acid excretion disorders, eventually leading to gout.
4. Diseases: Liver and kidney diseases can cause abnormal metabolic functions of these organs, leading to problems with high-purine substance metabolism. If combined with alcohol consumption and improper diet, it can further trigger gout.
Can Soda Water Prevent and Treat Gout?
Soda water is alkaline and can neutralize uric acid, promoting its dissolution and excretion, thus having a certain effect on gout. However, the content of sodium bicarbonate in soda water is not high, so its effect is quite limited. Regular consumption of soda water can affect the concentration of stomach acid, leading to indigestion, diarrhea, or constipation. Therefore, soda water plays a more supportive role in preventing and treating gout.
Additionally, individuals with heart and kidney dysfunction, as well as those with high blood pressure, are advised not to consume soda water. The excessive sodium load can affect their condition, and its use should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.
Finally, it must be emphasized that the soda water we refer to is made from baking soda tablets, not the commercially available soda drinks on the market. Many additives in soda drinks not only fail to alleviate gout symptoms but can also reduce uric acid excretion levels.