Two different studies have revealed that drinking unsweetened coffee reduces the risk of gout for men and women. Results of a larger study, which included 45,869 men older than age 40 with no prior history of gout, showed that the risk of gout was 40% lower for participants who drank four to five cups of unsweetened coffee per day. Those who drank six or more cups a day had a 59% lower risk in developing gout compared to those who never drank coffee. Researchers have also examined food questionnaires from 14,000 men and women age 20 or older. They discovered that the more coffee participants drank (despite being regular or decaf) the lower their uric acid levels were. Contrary to this research, some gout sufferers have concluded that coffee exacerbates their symptoms, due to the fact that it is a diuretic and can result in lower levels of hydration. Those who are not properly hydrated have more of a risk for developing gout.