How the right diet works for gout

This article explains, among other things:

  • What gout is and how it occurs
  • Which foods are permitted and prohibited
  • Why beer is a particularly sensitive issue with gout
  • How to lower uric acid immediately

Let's start with the definition to have the same basic understanding of gout and the causes...

What is gout and what does diet have to do with it?

Gout describes a disorder of purine metabolism that causes uric acid crystals to form in the joints and tissues. A doctor can use the blood count to determine whether the uric acid level is too high and whether there is a risk of gout.

Men over the age of 40 are particularly frequently affected, which is due to the combination of beer and meat that is predominantly found in men[2].
Women, on the other hand, are less likely to develop gout and if they do, it tends to be at an older age[3].

A basic distinction is made between two different symptoms through which the disease manifests itself:

  • Acute gout attacks
    In addition to sudden severe pain, an acute attack of gout is also characterized by swelling of the affected joints and fever - which is triggered by the inflammation in the joints[4].
    In rare cases, headaches and vomiting may also occur. If the acute attack of gout is not treated with medication, it can take one to two weeks for the swelling to subside.
  • Chronic gout
    After the first acute attacks, gout becomes chronic. The joints are destroyed over the long term and without much pain. This can be seen on an X-ray. In addition to the deformation of the joints, uric acid crystals are deposited in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney stones and, in the worst case, kidney failure.

As gout is often the result of a poor and unbalanced diet, it falls into the category of "diseases of affluence". Like most diseases of affluence, gout can be brought under control to a certain extent in the long term with the right diet[5].

To a large extent, however, gout is genetic, which unfortunately cannot be influenced[6].

A study from 2017 shows that losing excess weight is beneficial for lowering uric acid levels and thus reducing the risk of gout.[7]

Gout can be prevented through an appropriate diet. However, if you already have the disease, it can no longer be cured. In this case, the progression can be mitigated by a low-purine diet and the disease can be brought under control.

In order to understand how gout and diet are linked, we clarify the connection between the three crucial elements.

The connection between gout, purines and uric acid

The cause of gout is so-called hyperuricemia, which stands for excessive uric acid levels in the blood. Excessive uric acid levels are in turn caused by a purine-rich diet.

Purines: what they do in the body

Purines[8] are organic compounds that occur in the human body as well as in drinks and food. Like pyrimidines, they are building blocks of nucleic acid and therefore a basic building block of all DNA.

Purines, in the form of adenine and guanine, are an integral part of every human cell and are used to build DNA.

The purines contained in food and drink are converted to uric acid in the body after ingestion.

The intake of more than 500 mg uric acid (approx. 450 g chicken breast) per day should be avoided in order not to increase the risk of gout[9].

Uric acid - breakdown product of purine metabolism

Uric acid is formed at the end of the purine metabolism as a breakdown product of the purine bases. Uric acid forms crystals, which are white and odorless. If too many of these crystals form in the joints and tissues, the aforementioned disease gout occurs.

A purine-rich diet leads to increased uric acid levels, which in turn greatly increases the risk of gout.

If uric acid levels are too high, this is known as hyperuricemia. This is reached as soon as the uric acid level in the blood exceeds the limit of 7.4 mg/dl in men and 6.7 mg/dl in women.

Above this limit, the uric acid crystals can no longer be dissolved naturally in the body and they begin to form unhindered.

If the uric acid in the blood is too high, doctors prescribe medication with allopurinol, benzbromarone and febuxostat.

These foods are forbidden with gout

  • Offal (e.g. sweetbreads, liver, kidneys)
  • Trout
  • Sprat
  • Canned fish (e.g. oil sardines)
  • Seafood (e.g. shrimps)
  • Beer
  • Sugary drinks (e.g. cola)
  • peanuts

The list of prohibited foods shows those foods that are at the top of every table of purine-containing foods (purine table) that can be found on authoritative websites such as the ÖGK. The higher up a food is on the list, the more likely it is to be avoided. The purine content is too high for people who suffer from gout.

In particular, foods with a purine or uric acid content of more than 300 mg per 100 g should be avoided[10].

Purine-rich vegetables are also often included in banned lists for gout. However, a 12-year study has shown that consuming moderate amounts of vegetables with a high purine content does not lead to an increased risk of gout[11].

Black tea or coffee can be drunk with a clear conscience.

Drinks table for gout sufferers 

The table below lists various drinks and how dangerous their consumption is for gout sufferers:

Beer (also non-alcoholic): very harmful

High-proof alcohol: very dangerous

Sugary soft drinks: questionable

Sweetened fruit juices: questionable

freshly squeezed juices: harmless

Milk: safe

Coffee: desirable

Tea: desired

Water: desired

In general, still water, preferably with a dash of lemon juice (because of the vitamin C it contains), or tea should be drunk, as plenty of water helps to dissolve the uric acid better. Sugary soft drinks should be avoided if possible[12].

The purines contained in foods and drinks are converted to uric acid in the body after ingestion.

Smoothies containing vegetables such as carrots or spinach are also very suitable. These contain very little fructose, but lots of valuable nutrients and vitamins.

Fructose and the diet for gout

Fructose describes nothing other than the fruit sugar contained in fruit. As fructose is contained in pineapples, bananas and other fruits, it is not a problem because the concentration is far too low.

The problem arises when foods containing industrially isolated fructose are consumed.[13] This artificial form of fructose is often used in processed food and ready meals because it is the most economically profitable for companies.

Apart from the fact that this increased intake of isolated fructose drives up insulin levels - which increases the risk of diabetes - the consumption of fructose also causes the body's own production of purines.

Anyone who has to watch their diet due to gout should avoid foods with added fructose as far as possible.

Beer and gout don't mix!

Beer is a double vice when it comes to gout. On the one hand, brewer's yeast contains too many purines, which drastically increases the uric acid level in the blood. On the other hand, the alcohol it contains prevents the body from breaking down uric acid optimally.

In the summer months at barbecues, beer is often consumed together with meat and sausages, which is doubly bad for gout patients.

In contrast to beer, the moderate consumption of wine is not a problem, as a study from 2004 found out.[14] However, the exact components in wine that are harmless to uric acid levels have not yet been clarified.

Are chocolate and bananas okay for gout?

Don't worry, you don't have to give up chocolate if you have gout or are at increased risk.

Neither in the form of a bar nor as drinking chocolate do you need to have any concerns here. With chocolate, the added sugar is more of a problem if it is consumed in excessive quantities.

With a purine content of just 11 mg per 100 g, bananas are a safe food. Their vitamin C content also ensures that uric acid is reduced - more on this shortly.

Which foods should you definitely eat if you have gout?

Several cups of coffee a day and vegetables containing vitamin C (e.g. peppers) can lower uric acid levels in the blood[15].

A long-term study with over 45,000 participants suggests that drinking more than 4 cups of coffee a day keeps the risk of gout low[16], regardless of whether it is caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. The researchers assume that the chlorogenic acid contained in coffee counteracts uric acid.

In general, with the exception of offal and the foods mentioned above, nothing needs to be completely avoided. Legumes and asparagus are also often in the line of fire of many critics. However, it is actually the dose or the combination with other purine-rich foods that has an unfavorable effect on uric acid in the blood.

A plate of lentils would still be okay as long as it is not consumed together with a lot of sausage and a beer.

Lower uric acid naturally and plant-based with vitamin C

A high intake of vitamin C has been shown to reduce the risk of developing gout[17].

Fortunately, vitamin C is found naturally in many varieties of herbs, vegetables, leafy greens and fruit. The following table lists foods with outstanding vitamin C content:

Food: Vitamin C content per 100 g
Acerola: 1790 mg
Sea buckthorn: 450 mg
Rosehip: 426 mg
Nettle: 330 mg
Blackcurrants: 189 mg
Parsley: 159 mg
Wild garlic: 150 mg
Paprika: 140 mg
Broccoli: 115 mg
Brussels sprouts: 110 mg
Kiwi: 100 mg
Lemons: 53 mg

The higher the daily dose of vitamin C, the lower the risk of developing gout - acerola[18] in particular stands out here with its immensely high vitamin C content.

In a study conducted over 20 years, fewer people who consumed more than 1,500 mg of vitamin C per day developed gout than those who consumed less than 500 mg per day.

Cherries against gout

Cherries help against gout. This is proven by a study in which 633 people suffering from gout were followed for a year[19].

People who ate cherries over a period of 2 days had a 35% lower risk of a gout attack compared to people who did not consume cherries.

Another study investigated these results further and was also able to establish a positive correlation between the consumption of tart cherry juice and the reduction of uric acid levels in the blood[20].

The DASH diet helps against gout

The DASH diet is often mentioned in combination with gout. DASH stands for "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension". A diet that aims to sustainably reduce high blood pressure.

The reason why this form of nutrition - the DASH diet has less to do with classic diets - helps against gout is that it focuses primarily on fruit and vegetables. These are the foods that do not raise uric acid levels too much.

The DASH diet is a huge topic in itself, which is beyond the scope of this article.

Conclusion on the right diet for gout

The three elements - gout, purines and uric acid - are inextricably linked. It is impossible to prevent and control the disease without addressing purines and your uric acid levels.

Although meat does not have to be completely avoided, a plant-based diet should be preferred in order to minimize the risk as far as possible, as even high-quality meat (such as fillet) contains too many purines.

A long-term low-purine diet and a predominantly meat-free diet sustainably reduces the risk of developing gout and even kidney failure.

Not sure if you can do all this properly in your stressful everyday life?

A wholesome, balanced and low-purine diet keeps your uric acid levels in the green zone in the long term and protects your joints from swelling.

The most important information at a glance: 

  • Gout is a metabolic disease that leads to inflammation and deformation of the joints[1].
  • A purine-rich diet leads to increased uric acid levels, which in turn greatly increases the risk of gout.
  • A distinction is made between acute attacks of gout and chronic gout.
  • The amount of 500 mg uric acid (approx. 450 g chicken breast) per day should not be exceeded.
  • Offal should be avoided at all costs in the case of gout, especially sweetbreads.
  • A lot of vitamin C helps with too much uric acid in the blood.

FAQ: Diet for gout

Which home remedy helps against gout?

Coffee (caffeinated or decaffeinated) and plenty of vitamin C help to reduce the risk of gout in the long term. Cool compresses help to relieve the pain and swelling of an acute attack of gout.

How long does swelling last with gout?

If the gout attack is not treated with medication, it usually takes between one and two weeks for the painful swelling to subside[21].

How does gout manifest itself?

An attack of gout is characterized by inflammation and overheating of the joint, which usually reach their peak within a few hours. Chronic gout gradually leads to deformation of the joints, which is particularly noticeable in the fingers and toes.

What foods should I avoid with gout?

If you have gout or are at high risk, you should avoid offal (e.g. sweetbreads) and seafood. Alcoholic drinks should only be consumed rarely and with extreme caution. One glass of wine a day, for example, is not a danger.

How much uric acid is allowed per day?

Normally it is sufficient to stay below a daily amount of 500 mg uric acid (approx. 450 g chicken breast). If you want to be on the safe side or are already struggling with gout, it is better to stay below 300 mg of uric acid per day.

Which foods contain the most purines?

Offal such as sweetbreads or kidneys contain by far the most purines. But seafood and certain fish (e.g. sprats) are also extremely high in purines.

How high can uric acid in the blood be?

The uric acid level in the blood should not exceed the limit of 7.4 mg/dl for men and 6.7 mg/dl for women. If it is higher, this is known as hyperuricemia.

Which medications lower uric acid?

Medication with allopurinol, benzbromarone and febuxostat are mainly used for hyperuricemia.

Sbalitelný obsah

Sources

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