Gout is a painful joint disorder caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood.

In the past, patients at risk for gout were advised to avoid coffee, but Dr. Hyon Choi of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, and colleagues at Harvard Medical School in Boston wanted to see just what effect coffee might have on the condition.

Over the 12 years of the study, during which 757 men developed gout, the risk was lower for those who drank more coffee

"We found that when they are drinking four to five cups of coffee, there was a 40-percent reduction. Drinking six or more cups resulted in a 50- to 60-percent reduction (in the risk for gout)," Choi said.

Men who drank decaffeinated coffee also benefited, Choi said, but tea appeared to have no effect.

The researchers found significantly lower levels of uric acid in the blood of those who consumed large quantities of coffee. Uric acid is the compound that causes gout.

Choi said the findings appear to suggest that something in the coffee other than caffeine - such as a strong antioxidant - may be helping to reduce uric acid levels.

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world.

Choi said people should not rush out to the corner coffee shop to treat their gout.

But "if you are drinking coffee already and have gout or are at higher risk of developing gout ... there is no need to reduce or stop coffee consumption," he said.

Source: Journal Arthritis & Rheumatism