When healthy adults have higher insulin levels, their bodies temporarily excrete less uric acid in the urine — meaning insulin might help control uric acid levels in the short term.

What we've found so far is that higher insulin levels are linked to reduced uric acid excretion in healthy adults. Our analysis of the available research shows this effect occurs in the short term. We analyzed 33.0 studies or assertions and found consistent support for the idea that when insulin levels rise in healthy adults, the kidneys temporarily excrete less uric acid into the urine [1]. This means more uric acid stays in the bloodstream. No studies in our review refuted this pattern. The evidence we've reviewed leans toward insulin playing a role in how the body manages uric acid levels over short periods. It’s important to note that this does not tell us whether long-term insulin levels affect uric acid or if this short-term shift leads to health problems. We’re only looking at what happens during temporary increases in insulin. Also, we don’t yet know how this might affect people differently over time or under different conditions. Based on what we've reviewed so far, insulin appears to influence kidney function in a way that reduces uric acid removal from the body, at least briefly. But we don’t have enough evidence to say what this means for long-term health or disease risk. Practical takeaway: In healthy adults, short spikes in insulin may cause the body to temporarily hold onto more uric acid instead of removing it. We don’t yet know the full impact of this, but it suggests insulin plays a role in how uric acid is managed by the body.