Certain Foods Can Affect Gout
Gout is an extremely painful condition that, unfortunately, often goes under the radar. It’s caused by a buildup of uric acid in the blood, and is categorized as a severe form of arthritis. Many people take medication and painkillers to reduce the pain of gout, but did you know certain foods have an effect on it as well?
HINDER: Red Meat
Red meat isn’t really good for you anyway, but it’s especially bad for you if you have gout. You see, red meats are rich in purines, which break down into uric acid. If you have bad gout, it’s recommended that you cut red meat out of your diet altogether.
HELP: Cherries
Good news! Cherries aren’t just a really nice tasting fruit, they can help with gout as well. They’re rich in anthocyanins, which are anti-inflammatory compounds that lower uric acid. Eat cherries as much as possible if you’re suffering from gout.
HINDER: Organ Meats
Some meat lovers enjoy the taste of organ meats such as liver and kidneys. But you shouldn’t be eating them anymore than you should be eating red meats. They’re extremely high in purine and will definitely lead to gout flareups.
HELP: Low-Fat Yoghurt
Low-fat yoghurt gets your kidneys working to eliminate the uric acid in your system. Many people have found that regular consumption of low-fat yoghurt, along with cutting back on the bad foods, helps with gout considerably.
HINDER: Shellfish
Shrimp, lobster, scallops… they’re all very bad for you if you have gout, because they’re high in purines. You should feel the bad effects not long after eating them, in fact. So bad news for shellfish lovers, but you’re going to have to cut it out entirely if you suffer from gout.
HELP: Coffee
Coffee has its pros and cons, but one of the biggest pros is that it helps with gout. It contains antioxidants and compounds like chlorogenic acid that help to lower uric acid. Just don’t put too much sugar into your coffee, because that will negate all the good it can do.
HINDER: Oily Fish
Oily fish such as anchovies, sardines and mackerel are loved by some, because they’re high in omega-3s… but they are certainly not loved by people with gout. When you eat them, you’re causing a buildup of uric acid that will make your gout pain worse.
HELP: Leafy Greens
You should be eating leafy greens like kale and collards if you want to control your gout. They’re low in purines and high in vitamin C and fiber, which helps your kidneys excrete uric acid. Plus, they stabilize blood sugar and reduce inflammation.
HINDER: Sugary Beverages
Beware of any drink that has fructose in it, because fructose will make your gout much worse. It’ll make your uric acid levels shoot up. And then, of course, there’s the problem that sugary drinks are bad for you anyway. Why not switch to regular old water?
HELP: Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons and limes are a big help when it comes to gout. They basically help the body create a less favorable environment to uric acid. Plus, they’re a good source of vitamin C. You should be eating as many of them as possible if you have gout.
HINDER: Alcohol
If you drink a lot and start to suffer from gout, your doctor will almost certainly tell you to stop drinking alcohol. There’s no doubt that some people find this hard, but there are so many benefits – not only will it help the gout, it will help lower your blood sugar and decrease your weight.
HELP: Tofu
Many people think that tofu is one of the best fighters in the war against gout. Tofu doesn’t significantly raise uric acid and it offers anti-inflammatory benefits. If you’re planning to stop eating meat, tofu is a great alternative.
HINDER: Game Meats
Game meats like venison and wild boar have a lot of purine content. The history books are filled with stories of nobles who would feast all night on freshly killed animals and then find their gout got worse and worse. Stick with white meats.
HELP: Whole Grains
Whole grains such as brown rice, oats and quinoa are praised by health food experts and with good reason. They provide fiber, which helps regulate blood sugar and may reduce systemic inflammation, and they’re low in purines.
HINDER: Spinach
There are many health benefits of spinach. It’s considered that it supports heart health, bone health, and can even help fight the risk of cancer. There’s just one problem… it’s not good if you have gout. It’s high in purines and will make the pain worse.
HELP: Berries
Berries like blueberries, strawberries and raspberries taste great and are good for fighting gout. They contain flavonoids and antioxidants that reduce inflammation, preventing the gout from getting too bad. Why not put them on your oatmeal every morning?
HINDER: Cauliflower
Cauliflower unfortunately has the same problem as spinach. There are many good things about it, except for the fact that it’s high in purine and will adversely affect your gout. So unfortunately, you should cut it out of your diet.
HELP: Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and seeds are low in purines and high in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids. They provide healthy fats and plant protein without contributing to uric acid buildup. They’re basically the ideal snack if you’re suffering from gout.
HINDER: Gravy
Gravy has a lot of purine in it, and should be avoided if you have gout. Even a small amount of it won’t do you any good, unfortunately. It’s something that’s tough to give up if you like meat, but unfortunately living with gout means making a lot of sacrifices.
HELP: Water
It’s amazing how many people don’t take advantage of water and drink sugary, unhealthy sodas instead. But if you have gout, you should be drinking a lot of water. Staying well hydrated can reduce the frequency and severity of gout attacks.
