However, according to experts, water only plays a supporting role in the body's uric acid excretion process, and cannot replace treatment with medication when indicated.
MSc.BS Pham Cong Danh - Nutrition - Diet Specialist, Minh Anh International Hospital said that the kidneys are the organs that take on the role of excreting about 2/3 of the body's uric acid through urine, the rest is excreted through the digestive tract. Therefore, maintaining enough water each day is important in this process.
When the body is provided with enough water, the amount of urine is maintained stably, helping to limit urine overconcentration. This contributes to supporting uric acid excretion and reducing the risk of uric acid stones in people at risk," said Dr. Danh.
However, experts note that drinking plenty of water does not replace uric acid lowering drugs in people who have been diagnosed with gout or hyperuricemia with treatment indications. Patients still need to follow the doctor's regimen combined with a suitable diet and lifestyle.
Regarding the amount of water needed to supplement each day, most adults should maintain about 2-3 liters of water from all sources, including drinking water and food. This need may vary depending on each person's weight, exercise level, weather conditions and health condition.
A simple sign to recognize that the body is supplied with enough water is that the urine is pale yellow and no dehydration appears.
For people with heart failure, chronic kidney disease in severe stages or diseases that need to limit fluids, the amount of water supplemented needs to be done according to the instructions of the treating doctor. Patients should not arbitrarily drink too much water because it can have adverse effects on health.
Regarding the concept of using alkaline water or lemon water to reduce blood uric acid, MSc.BS Pham Cong Danh said that there is currently not enough scientific evidence to recommend the routine use of alkaline ion water or commercial alkaline water to treat hyperuricemia or gout.
Some types of natural mineral water rich in bicarbonate can help slightly increase the pH of urine and support reducing the risk of uric acid stones in some subjects. However, there is no evidence that these types of water have the ability to significantly reduce blood uric acid levels," said Dr. Danh.
Therefore, regular filtered water is still a suitable choice and recommended for the majority of patients.
Similarly, lemon juice is also not a method to treat gout or increased uric acid in the blood. Some small studies show that citrate in lemon can support urine alkalization to a certain extent and contribute to reducing the risk of forming urinary tract stones. However, evidence of the ability of lemon juice to reduce uric acid in the blood is still very limited.
If using lemon water, people should drink it in moderation, limit adding sugar and consider it as part of a healthy diet, instead of considering it as a substitute for medication when prescribed by a doctor.
