7 Foods That Cause Gout to Avoid
For someone who lives with gout and other types of arthritis, paying attention to foods that cause uric acid is crucial.
In fact, we often forget that everything that enters our body contributes to the uric acid that dissolves in our blood. When this substance is in excess and cannot be eliminated, it accumulates in the joints throughout the body. Find out what you should avoid and what foods are safe to consume for gout sufferers in the following list!
1. Organ Meats

Organ meats are known to have the highest purine content among other types of food commonly consumed by humans. Regardless of the various delicious dishes you can find using this ingredient, organ meats are very harmful to human health, especially for those suffering from gout.
Although beef liver, tripe, brain, tongue, kidney, and pancreas are generally rich in protein as well as essential vitamins and minerals, even a small excess in consumption can trigger gout symptoms.
In addition to uric acid, organ meats also increase the risk factors for developing other serious illnesses, such as stroke, heart disease, bladder cancer, and dementia in the long term.
2. Packaged Sweetened Beverages

Not only organ meats, but packaged sweetened beverages are also off-limits for gout. Their high fructose content is quite concerning because it can trigger sudden gout attacks.
Research suggests that the consumption of sugary drinks such as soda and packaged fruit juices very quickly increases uric acid levels in the blood. Energy drinks should also be on your radar because their sugar content is very high and potentially triggers gout.
3. Whole Grains

Although it sounds less popular, eating whole grains is not highly recommended for gout sufferers and those with arthritis in general. Wheat germ, oatmeal, and bran are whole grains commonly suggested for certain diets.
Read Also: 5 Vegetables That Gout Sufferers Should Not Eat
However, these foods contain moderate levels of purines. Although they can reduce risk factors for heart disease, type-2 diabetes, obesity, and stroke, gout sufferers should avoid them.
A study found that participants who consumed low-glycemic index foods had lower uric acid levels.
Therefore, limiting the consumption of foods like bread, pasta, and rice can also help lower uric acid levels and avoid symptoms—though further research is still needed.
4. Goat, Pork, Lamb, and Beef

Goat and lamb meat are known to be risk factors for gout due to their high purine content. However, goat and lamb are not the only ones that trigger gout relapses.
All red meats, including beef, goat, and lamb, are foods you should limit, given their high purine content.
Although consuming these meats provides a large amount of quality protein, you need to remember that the risk of gout increases if the amount entering your body is even slightly excessive.
5. Certain Seafood

What foods trigger gout? It turns out that several types of fish are included. Fish rich in purines include sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout, and herring. This is why excessive consumption will worsen the uric acid condition in your body.
However, not all fish are dangerous. Catfish, Japanese eel, red snapper, salmon, sole, and tilapia, for example, have relatively low purine content and are safe enough for gout sufferers. In fact, their high Omega-3 content also has a positive impact on heart health and several other health risks.
6. Shellfish and Mollusks

Shellfish and mollusks are often nutritious food choices. Besides being high in protein, seafood is indeed a storehouse of important vitamins and minerals.
However, be wary of these foods because they fall into the high-purine category. Although not all seafood is dangerous, oysters, clams, and scallops tend to increase the potential for gout attacks. The same applies to crab and lobster.
7. Alcohol

Among all types of alcohol, beer is known to have the highest purine content, and thus has a strong link to gout attacks.
Studies have found that men who drink a bottle of beer every day have a 50% higher risk of developing arthritis. Meanwhile, those who drink more than two bottles are 2.5 times more at risk of experiencing pain due to high uric acid.
This happens because the body's ability to excrete uric acid decreases significantly when alcohol enters the blood. Furthermore, alcohol has a dehydrating effect, so gout symptoms will worsen.
If you still consume alcohol, limit your portions immediately or perhaps switch to another type, such as wine.
If joint pain and aches arise due to a gout flare-up, Ricasid from Sido Muncul could be a consideration. This herbal product contains natural ingredients that are effective in reducing inflammation and boosting the body's overall immune system.
Read Also: 7 Characteristics of Gout and Effective Steps to Overcome It
So, while limiting the foods we mentioned above and improving your diet with balanced nutrition, consuming Ricasid can help optimize the process of lowering uric acid, with the note to always read the product's dosage instructions.
Your decisions today determine your comfort tomorrow, regardless of the foods that cause gout that may be lurking.