Diet and Gout: Foods to Avoid and Foods to Embrace

When uric acid builds up in the blood, it may lead to painful joint inflammation and a condition known as gout. While genetics and other factors play a role in its development, diet is a significant contributor to the presence of gout. Certain foods may trigger gout attacks and others may help you with managing the condition. Understanding gout-causing foods and what foods to embrace can help you make better choices for your body, potentially reducing the frequency and severity of gout symptoms.

Gout and Diet: What You Eat Matters

Uric acid is a waste product formed when the body breaks down purines—natural compounds found in certain foods and drinks. When the body’s level of uric acid is too high, it can crystallize and accumulate in the joints, leading to inflammation and pain. Certain foods are high in purines and can elevate uric acid levels, while other foods may help lower those levels or reduce inflammation.

Foods That Can Cause Gout

1. Red Meat and Organ Meats: Beef, lamb, and pork, as well as organ meats like liver, are high in purines and can significantly increase uric acid levels.
2. Seafood: Certain types of seafood, such as anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, and tuna, are rich in purines. These should be limited or avoided if you’re prone to gout attacks.
3. Alcohol: Beer and spirits, in particular, are known to increase uric acid production and reduce the body’s ability to eliminate it. Even moderate alcohol consumption can trigger gout in some individuals, making it one of the top things to avoid with gout.
4. Sugary Drinks and Foods: High-fructose corn syrup, commonly found in sodas and processed foods, increases uric acid levels. Limit sugary beverages and snacks as part of a gout-friendly diet.
5. Certain Vegetables: While vegetables like asparagus, spinach, and cauliflower contain purines, they generally have less of an impact on gout than animal-based purines. However, some individuals may choose to limit them.

What Is the Number One Food That Causes Gout?

Alcohol is often cited as the number one culprit—especially beer. Beer contains both purines and alcohol, a double-edged sword that can significantly elevate uric acid levels and impair the body’s ability to excrete it. Avoiding or minimizing beer consumption can make a noticeable difference for those prone to gout.

Treating Gout Through Diet: Foods to Embrace

1. Low-Fat Dairy: Milk, yogurt, and cheese can help lower uric acid levels and are excellent protein sources for gout sufferers.
2. Fruits: Cherries, apples, bananas, and berries have been associated with a lower risk of gout attacks.
3. Whole Grains: Brown rice, oats, and whole-grain bread provide essential nutrients and are low in purines.
4. Vegetables: Most vegetables, including leafy greens, bell peppers, and zucchini, are gout-friendly and provide essential vitamins and antioxidants.
5. Legumes and Nuts: Lentils, beans, and nuts are excellent plant-based protein sources and are generally low in purines.
6. Water: Staying hydrated helps flush uric acid from the body. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water daily. Devices like the British Berkefeld Gravity-Fed Filtration system provide clean, safe water for your entire household. 

Additional Tools for Managing Gout

Dietary changes can take time to acclimate and their effects may not be immediate. Other interventions may help reduce gout symptoms and improve joint comfort in the interim. Juvent’s Micro-Impact Platform® creates gentle frequencies to promote mobility and help joints settle. Gout sufferers have found our FDA-registered device to be a helpful addition to their other lifestyle changes.

Try Micro-Impact for Gout

Managing gout starts with understanding foods that trigger gout flare-ups. By avoiding high-purine foods like red meat, seafood, and alcohol and embracing nutrient-rich options like low-fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables, you’re taking the right steps to manage the condition and get your life back. Gout doesn’t have to stop you from living! Keep your joints happy with the right foods and help from Juvent.

FDA Disclosure

In the US, the Juvent device is considered investigational for the treatment of osteoporosis or improvement/maintenance of bone mineral density and our claims have not been reviewed or cleared by the FDA to treat any disease or condition. (2) Calculated over the 20+ year expected life of a Juvent. The JUVENT® Micro-Impact Platform® is Registered as a Class I medical device for exercise and rehabilitation. JUVENT products are covered by the following issued patents, pending patents and their foreign equivalents: 6,843,776 6,884,2277,094211 7,207,954 7,207,955 7,985,191 8,114,036 11/369,611 11/486,538. Juvent, Dynamic Motion Therapy, Micro-Impact Platform, and the symbol are Registered trademarks of Regenerative Technologies Corporation.