Eating too much red meat and animal organs
Consuming red meat such as beef, Sheep, goat or internal organs ( itself, heart, kidneys...) with high frequency is the leading cause of strong uric acid increase in the blood. These foods are rich in purines - a substance that when broken down will create uric acid. When uric acid levels exceed the kidneys' ability to excrete, it crystallizes into urate crystals, causing arthritis (gout) and soft tissue damage.
According to the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), people who eat red meat and animal organs more than 5 times a week are 2.4 times more likely to develop gout than those who eat less. In addition, fat in red meat is also easily stored around the abdomen, increasing the risk of fatty liver, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Drink plenty of soft drinks and sugary drinks
GASY soft drinks, energy drinks or bottled juices are all rich in fructose, a simple sugar that causes metabolic disorders. When entering the body, fructose not only causes the liver to produce more purines (increasing uric acid) but also converts them into fat, accumulating around the belly.
Dr. Eric Berg, a nutritionist from the United States, commented: Fructose is one of the silent culprits of visceral fat accumulation. Even if you don't eat too many calories, if you consume monounsugar continuously, you can still easily increase belly fat and have disorder in purine metabolism".
Therefore, experts recommend prioritizing water, herbal tea or pure fresh fruit juice, avoiding products containing corn silk or synthetic fructose.
Eat late at night, especially dishes rich in protein and fat
Eating late at night, especially dishes with a lot of protein such as meat, seafood, or fried foods, not only overloads the digestive system but also causes rapid accumulation of belly fat. When you sleep, your body's metabolism decreases, so excess energy is easily accumulated as fat.
In addition, consuming a lot of protein in the evening requires the liver and kidneys to process high purine levels, slowing down the excretion of uric acid. According to the British Nutrition Association (BDA), eating dinner after 8pm continuously for a long time is associated with a 30% higher risk of increased uric acid and visceral fat accumulation.
Overusing alcohol on weekends
Many people tend to release stress with alcohol on the weekend without knowing that alcohol is not only rich in purines but also inhibits enzymes that excrete uric acid through the kidneys. In addition, alcohol also increases the feeling of fake hunger, causing drinkers to eat more and accumulate more fat around the waist.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that people who drink beer twice a week or more have a 40% higher risk of increased uric acid and belly fat than those who do not drink it. If you combine alcohol with protein-rich dishes such as hotpot and grilled meat, the risk of gout outbreak is even higher.
To control belly fat and uric acid, experts recommend maintaining a balanced diet, prioritizing green vegetables, low-sugar fruits, whole grains and protein from fish, eggs or tofu. Drinking enough water and exercising regularly also helps improve liver and kidney function, effectively supporting the excretion of uric acid.
If there are signs such as joint pain, rapid weight gain in the abdomen or tests showing high uric acid, patients need to see a doctor early to get advice on a suitable diet, avoid self-improvement in fasting or overusing drugs of unknown origin.
