These foods can raise youruric acidlevels, causing a painful buildup of uric acid in your joints.
Purines are chemical compounds found naturally in foods and in your body.
Purines come from the foods you eat.
Verywell / Alexandra Gordon
When your digestive system breaks these foods down, uric acid is created as a byproduct.
Your body isn’t able to fully process very high levels of purines.
This causes uric acid to build up in the body.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
If you have hyperuricemia or gout, ask your healthcare provider if you should avoid or limit high-purine foods.
These include:
Removing these foods and drinks from your diet can help prevent and manage gout flare-ups.
Sugars and Fruit
Sugar, including fructose, seems to increase uric acid levels in the blood.
Fructose is a natural form of sugar found in some foods.
It’s added to many products as high-fructose corn syrup.
Avoiding or limiting high-fructose foods may help lessen gout symptoms.
Sugar in Beverages
Sodas and sugary drinks are considered empty-calorie foods.
They contain no beneficial nutrients but can add a lot of calories to your diet.
They also may add to your risk of gout flare-ups.
One 2020 research review analyzed several studies looking at the relationship between fructose in sugar-sweetened beverages and gout development.
It found these drinks are significantly associated with an increased risk of gout and hyperuricemia.
Researchers have demonstrated that these foods can raise the risk of high uric acid levels and gout episodes.
Chicken has moderate purine levels and may be eaten in moderation.
Fish and Seafood
Certain types of seafood are high in purines.
These should be avoided on a gout-friendly diet, while other types of seafood can be included.
However, they are high in purines.
More research is needed to understand these findings.
Is There a Genetic Link to Developing Gout?
More research is needed to understand how genetics is at work in these cases.
Yeasts
Certain yeasts and yeast extracts are high in purines.
You should avoid foods and supplements that contain them.
Yeast extract is found in foods such as:
What Foods Can You Eat With Gout?
Some foods can help lower uric acid levels, which can relieve gout flare-ups and prevent future attacks.
Their deep red color is due to natural compounds calledanthocyanins, which contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Fresh, frozen, juice, or extract forms are commonly consumed.
However, there are no defined amounts to eat per day for gout prevention.
For cherry extract supplements, it is best to follow the suggested dosage on the nutrition label.
Research is limited, with often small numbers of study participants and short-term follow-up.
Researchers did note that larger, more long-term studies are needed to clarify this association.
Whether this amount is significant or not in reducing the risk of gout needs to be further studied.
Early studies suggest that coffee may decrease the risk of gout.
However, research shows that it may vary based on sex.
However, no research has explored the effects of coffee intake on the risk of recurrent gout attacks.
They also contain numerous health-promoting nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Some vegetables are higher in purines.
However, the body processes plant-based purines differently.
Research shows that plant-based purines do not increase the risk of gout and may actually decrease risk.
Low-Fat Dairy
Dairy products have been found to decrease the risk of gout.
In particular low-fat or non-fat dairy may be protective against recurrent gout flares.
Water
Staying hydratedis key for people with gout.
A 2017 prospective study looked at the association between water intake and uric acid levels.
However, more research is needed to find a more direct effect of water intake on gout.
Get our printable guide for your next doctor’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
Sample Meal Plan
It’s not always easy to change your diet or know where to begin.
That’s the approach used in a study for people with gout living in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dietitians approved participants' grocery lists and then ordered and delivered the food to their homes.
Researchers evaluated the foods they ate and any changes in their uric acid levels.
Are there any vitamins or minerals that help with gout?
Vitamin C, in particular, may offer benefits when seeking to prevent gout or reduce symptoms.
Researchers continue to work to clarify the relationship between vitamin C intake and gout.
Summary
The risk of gout flare-ups is strongly influenced by the foods and beverages you choose.
These food choices also affect other health conditions, such as high blood pressure and kidney disease.
Keep in mind that the foods that lead to gout flare-ups will depend on each individual.
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Arthritis Foundation.Safe foods for gout.
2015;18(5):495-501. doi:10.1111/1756-185X.12622
American Academy of Family Physicians.Low-purine diet.
Jakse B, Jakse B, Pajek M, Pajek J.Uric acid and plant-based nutrition.Nutrients.
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