I have been suffering from gout for several years. Recently, my family bought me a box of kudzu root powder, saying that it can clear heat and detoxify, and has benefits for gout. I would like to ask if gout patients can drink kudzu root powder?
Can Gout Patients Drink Kudzu Root Powder?
Yes, they can.
Gout is a common disease characterized by elevated uric acid levels in the blood due to excessive production or poor excretion of uric acid in the body. Uric acid salt crystals deposit in various joints, causing recurrent inflammatory episodes with redness, swelling, and pain.
Kudzu root powder is a starch substance extracted from kudzu root tubers. It has various effects such as clearing heat, relieving restlessness, and producing saliva to quench thirst. It contains kudzu flavonoids, proteins, amino acids, iron, calcium, copper, and other essential nutrients for the human body. It does not contain purine compounds and will not cause or worsen gout symptoms. The components in kudzu root powder have certain benefits for gout, so gout patients can drink it.
Is Kudzu Root Powder Useful for Gout?
It has certain benefits.
From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, gout is believed to be caused by excessive damp-heat, phlegm production, and joint congestion, leading to blood stasis, resulting in joint redness, swelling, heat, or stiffness. Kudzu root powder has a sweet taste and a cool nature. It is a dispersing medicine that can circulate throughout the body, expel toxins, and treat various rheumatic conditions to some extent.
From the perspective of Western medicine, the extract in kudzu root powder can help reduce purine synthesis and decrease uric acid production, thereby assisting in the treatment of gout. Therefore, kudzu root powder has a certain auxiliary therapeutic effect on gout.
How to Drink Kudzu Root Powder for Gout
Steps:
1. Take about 15-20 grams of kudzu root powder and put it into a bowl.
2. Add a small amount of warm water and stir until there are no remaining particles.
3. Then pour in boiling water above 90 degrees Celsius.
4. Stir while pouring until the kudzu root powder becomes translucent.
5. You can add a moderate amount of honey or rock sugar to taste before consuming.
Precautions for Drinking Kudzu Root Powder for Gout
1. Do not take on an empty stomach.
Kudzu root powder has a cool nature and is not recommended to be taken on an empty stomach. Taking it on an empty stomach may harm the spleen and stomach and may cause diarrhea, loose stools, or gastrointestinal discomfort.
2. Do not take excessive doses.
Although kudzu root powder is non-toxic, it should not be taken in large quantities. Excessive consumption may stimulate the intestines and stomach, causing gastrointestinal discomfort. It is generally recommended to take 10-30 grams at a time, 1-2 times a day.
3. Do not consume with spicy foods.
It is recommended not to consume spicy foods together with kudzu root powder, as it may affect the absorption of kudzu root powder by the intestines and stomach, thus reducing its efficacy.
What Should Gout Patients Pay Attention to in Diet?
1. Consume less or avoid foods high in purines.
Such as animal offal, seafood, legumes, etc. Most of the purines in these foods will be broken down into uric acid, directly causing elevated blood uric acid levels and triggering gout attacks.
2. Avoid alcohol consumption.
Alcohol can increase the level of uric acid in the body, thereby causing gout, especially beer and rice wine, which have high purine content. Therefore, gout patients should avoid alcohol consumption.
3. Consume alkaline foods.
Such as kelp, almonds, vegetables, fruits, etc. These alkaline foods can help supplement potassium, sodium, and other ions, maintain the acid-base balance in the body, and reduce the occurrence of gout attacks.
