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Foods to eat and avoid for people with gout

Gout is a particular type of arthritis that is prevalent in the country and leads to severe pain and swelling in the joints, along with redness and tenderness. Excess uric acid in the body that is not excreted gets deposited in the joints in the form of crystals and leads to inflammation and swelling. People with gout are seen with swollen fingers, wrists, toes (especially the big toe), heels, and knees.

When the uric acid content in the body goes up, it results in gout attacks that may last for 3 to 14 days. If left untreated, the condition can also lead to joint damage and deformity. This is extremely painful, but it can be managed with medication and a proper diet. Some foods trigger attacks as they raise uric acid levels, and this needs to be kept in mind while following a diet to manage the condition. Let’s take a look at the best diet for gout, including what foods to eat and what to avoid.

What to eat
The foods one is planning to eat should be low in purine and fructose as both of these can increase the risk of gout and trigger gout attacks. The best foods to include in the diet of gout patients are as mentioned:

All kinds of nuts and seeds
All types of legumes are safe like tofu, soybeans, lentils, and such
Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and barley
Plant-based oils like coconut, flaxseed, olive, and canola oil
Any kind of dairy products are safe, but low-fat versions are better options
All vegetables
Beverages like green tea, coffee, and tea
All herbs and spices
All fruits, and cherries even help prevent gout attacks as they reduce inflammation and uric acid levels

What not to eat
High-purine foods should be avoided, along with high-fructose foods, as they are major threats to gout attacks. The foods that should be avoided by gout patients are as follows:

Organ meat like liver, kidney, and brain
Veal, pheasant, sweetbreads, and venison
Fish like mackerel, tuna, sardines, haddock, and anchovies
Seafood, including prawns, crab, scallops, and roe
Any kind of soda drinks or fruit juices that are high in fructose
Honey, agave nectar, and sweetened corn syrup
Yeast and beverages containing yeast or any supplement
Cookies, cakes, and confectionery items

Food being a trigger for gout attacks is a major concern, especially for foodies. Studies suggest that it is an exception to have high-purine food not triggering gout attacks, while soda drinks that are high in fructose trigger attacks although there is no purine content. This happens because cellular processes are accelerated, which raises uric acid levels. Consulting a doctor and taking advice from the right dietician or nutritionist to help follow the correct diet for this condition can go a long way in helping one to manage the condition.

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