Does Apple Juice Prevent Gout?

Gout
Apple Juice for Prevention
Problems with Fructose
Other Natural Remedies

Written by Sirah Dubois

08 April, 2012

Gout is a very painful inflammatory condition of the joints, especially the big toe, caused by excessive levels of uric acid in the bloodstream. Uric acid precipitates into sharp uric acid crystals and becomes deposited in smaller, peripheral joints. A diet high in purines, found in meats, seafood, wine and beer, is the main cause of uric acid build-up in the blood. Apples and natural apple juice may help prevent uric acid crystals from precipitating out of the blood, but artificially sweetened apple juice may actually contribute to crystal formation and promote gouty symptoms. Consult with your doctor if you experience acute joint pain in your toes.

Is This an Emergency?

If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.

Gout

Gout is an arthritis-like condition characterized by joint inflammation, stiffness and severe tenderness. The big toe joint is often affected, but other joints such as the ankle, wrist, fingers and elbows can also be involved. In addition to sharp crystal deposition in joints, uric acid may also contribute to kidney stones and build-up as lumps under the skin called tophi, according to the “Textbook for Functional Medicine.” A gout attack can be triggered by alcohol or foods high in purines such as:

red meat
organ meats
shellfish
sardines
anchovies
mushrooms [1](# 'inline-reference::Textbook for Functional Medicine; David S

Jones'). Many gout attacks resolve after a few days without treatment, but they can also continue to occur for many months or years.

Gout is an arthritis-like condition characterized by joint inflammation, stiffness and severe tenderness.
In addition to sharp crystal deposition in joints, uric acid may also contribute to kidney stones and build-up as lumps under the skin called tophi, according to the “Textbook for Functional Medicine.”

Apple Juice for Prevention

Strawberries for Gout

Learn More

Apples have a reputation for resolving and preventing gout attacks, although no scientific studies support such claims. Fresh, raw apples are a good source of malic acid, which is thought to neutralize uric acid and prevent the precipitation of crystals, according to the book “Human Biochemistry." Apples also contain vitamin C, which strengthens and repairs collagen-rich connective tissues surrounding joints and minimizes the damage done by the sharp uric acid crystals. As such, fresh squeezed apple juice may be worth trying to combat gout attacks. Apple cider vinegar is an even richer source of malic and acetic acids, which can reduce the pain of inflamed joints by dissolving uric acid crystals.

Apples have a reputation for resolving and preventing gout attacks, although no scientific studies support such claims.
Apple cider vinegar is an even richer source of malic and acetic acids, which can reduce the pain of inflamed joints by dissolving uric acid crystals.

Problems with Fructose

Although fresh apples and apple juice may help prevent gout attacks, commercially produced sweetened apple juice may contribute to the symptoms of gout. The researchers noted that commercially produced fruit juices rich in fructose, such as apple or orange juice, were also associated with a higher risk of gout.