Gout is a painful form of arthritis that happens when uric acid in the blood causes crystals to form. There are foods that people eat that can trigger gout.
Uric acid happens when the body breaks down a chemical that is known as purine. Purine happens naturally in the body, but it’s also found in certain foods. Uric acid is eliminated from the body in the urine. Being on a gout diet can help decrease uric acid levels in the blood. A gout diet is not a cure; it can lower the risk of recurring painful gout.
Gout has been associated with overindulgence in meats, seafood and alcohol. The condition was considered a disease of the wealthiest people because they could afford such eating habits. Long before gout was understood, doctors observed some benefit of a restricted diet in gout management. These foods can trigger gout spurts:
1. Seafood: Seafood can cause a gout flare up. Seafood is rich in purines which the body breaks down into uric acid.
2. Beer: Drinking beer increases the uric acid level; beer makes it more difficult for the body to clear the substance from the body. Drinking wine is a better choice than drinking beer. Heavy drinking is not a good idea to anyone.
3. Red meat: All meat is not created equal when it comes to purine content. White meat is better red, but it’s okay to eat some types of red meat every once in a while.
4. Turkey and goose: This poultry are high in purines than other types of food, so it is best to avoid them. Gout prone people should keep the intake of wild game to a minimum.
5. Sugary drinks: beverages that are sweetened with HFCS stimulate the body to produce more uric acid.
6. Asparagus: Asparagus, cauliflower, spinach, and mushrooms are higher in purines than other vegetables. You don’t have to avoid these completely, but moderation is key.
7. Organ meats: Organ meats like liver, kidneys, and sweetbreads are a no-no.
8. Obese: being obese quadruples the likelihood of developing gout.
9. Herring: try to avoid herring, tuna, and anchovies because these fish are high in purines, instead try to eat shrimp, lobster, eel and crab.