What foods make gout worse?

Meat (especially offal, such as liver and sweetbreads) and shellfish (such as fish and shellfish) can be high in chemicals called purines. When the body breaks them down, the level of uric acid increases. Soft drinks and fruit sugar-flavored juices, such as high-fructose corn syrup, can cause outbreaks of gout. Keep a diary of what you eat for a while.

That way, you can go back and see if you can link eruptions to specific foods. Then you'll know what you really need to avoid. Foods and beverages that often cause gout attacks include offal, game meat, some types of fish, fruit juices, sugary soft drinks, and alcohol. In addition, researchers also found that adequate water consumption in the 24-hour period prior to a gout outbreak was associated with a significant decrease in recurrent gout attacks.

Most cases of gout can be prevented or controlled with healthy lifestyle changes, such as a proper diet for gout. Following a low-purine, gout-friendly diet recommended by your healthcare provider or a dietitian may help ease symptoms of gout. While there are a variety of possible causes, including genetic influences and underlying medical conditions, diet can have a direct impact on gout and its severity. Avoiding or limiting foods high in purines can help reduce the duration of a gout attack, as well as the risk of recurrent outbreaks of gout.

A healthy, balanced diet based on a variety of colorful whole foods, in addition to limiting highly processed foods, is beneficial for gout and overall health. However, a recent study of 724 people with a history of gout who consumed alcohol found that wine, beer and strong alcoholic beverages were associated with an increased risk of gout attacks. They should be avoided in a diet suitable for gout, although other types of seafood can be included in the diet for gout. The most popular remedy for gout is sour cherry juice, which can help lower uric acid levels and alleviate symptoms of gout.

Foods with yeast and yeast extracts are high in purines and should not be included in your diet if you have gout. A low-purine diet is based on healthy foods that limit the development of gout or its symptoms and, at the same time, improve your overall health. In addition to diet, there are several lifestyle changes that can help you reduce the risk of gout and gout attacks. A diet to lower uric acid levels, along with medications prescribed by the doctor, make gout one of the most controllable forms of arthritis.

Many people with gout also have high blood pressure, and some researchers report numbers as high as 70% of people diagnosed with gout. Frequent and high alcohol consumption is known to cause chronic hyperuricemia, increasing the risk of gout and gout attacks.