What is uric acid, and why should I care about it?

Uric acid is a byproduct found in your blood. It’s created when your body breaks down substances called purines, which are highly concentrated in common foods such as red meat, organ meats, yeast (beer), and seafood. Additionally, simple sugars (fructose), added sugars, sodas, and other sugary foods increase the release of purines, which can elevate uric acid levels. There is growing medical evidence that high uric acid levels in the blood have a direct impact on your metabolic health.