Gout is an inflammatory, painful condition that develops when the levels of uric acid in the blood are high. The amount of this chemical can increase in your body when it breaks down purines. Even though purines can be produced by your body, the amount of this chemical can greatly increase when you eat purine-rich foods. This can boost the production of uric acid in the body which can accumulate in the joints and other body parts if not eliminated properly.
Even though eating foods high in purines might not be a problem for normal people, it can be harmful to gout patients, as the high levels of this chemical can trigger flare-ups of this condition. Therefore, it is important to eliminate high-purine foods from your gout diet. Even though avoiding purine-rich foods may not cure your gout, it can help to control the intensity of your symptoms and reduce the risk of flare-ups of this disorder.
What To Avoid From Your Gout Diet?
There are several foods that come with high amounts of purines. Therefore, gout patients should be wary of these foods, as they can make gout symptoms worse. Some high-purine foods include:
Organ and glandular meat: Meats like kidneys, liver, and sweetbreads can increase blood uric acid levels because of the high amounts of purines present in them.
Seafood: Anchovies, tuna, sardines, and shellfish are some foods that are high in purines. So be careful when eating them if you have gout.
Red Meat: Limit the consumption of beef, pork, and lamb.
Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages, especially, beer can result in recurrent gout attacks.
Even though some vegetables including spinach and asparagus are high in purines, they are not to found increase the levels of blood uric acid.
Gout Diet Goals
People with gout should try to eat foods that are low in purines. Additionally, including anti-inflammatory foods in their gout diet can be helpful for them to control the chronic inflammation and swelling resulting from this condition along with regulating pain.
It is important to drink enough water for gout patients to facilitate the proper elimination of uric acid from the body. Also, eating foods that come with complex carbs including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc. can be beneficial for people with gout to improve their condition.
Studies also suggest that the consumption of vitamin C can aid to reduce the levels of uric acid in the body. So include citrus fruits and other foods that come with high amounts of this nutrient in your gout diet.
