From the Guidelines
Individuals with gout should limit or avoid consuming beets and beet juice due to their high purine content, which can increase uric acid levels and potentially trigger or worsen gout attacks. Beets are known to be high in compounds called purines, which break down into uric acid in the body 1. Since gout is caused by elevated uric acid levels that form painful crystal deposits in joints, foods that increase uric acid can potentially trigger or worsen gout attacks. Additionally, beets contain oxalates, which may contribute to kidney stone formation in susceptible individuals—a concern for gout patients who already have higher uric acid levels.
Some key points to consider for individuals with gout include:
- Avoiding or limiting alcohol intake, especially beer and spirits, as well as sugar-sweetened drinks and heavy meals 1
- Reducing fructose intake, including fruit juices, and reducing purine intake, including meats, organ meats, and seafoods 1
- Seeking low-fat dairy products, which have been shown to have an inverse association with urate levels 1
- Considering vitamin C supplementation and regular exercise, which may help decrease the excess mortality associated with chronic hyperuricaemia 1
If you have gout but enjoy beets, consider consuming them only occasionally in small portions (less than 1/2 cup), and always drink plenty of water to help flush uric acid from your system. During active gout flares, it's best to completely avoid beets. Instead, focus on anti-inflammatory foods like cherries, which may actually help reduce gout symptoms 1. Always take any prescribed medications, such as allopurinol or febuxostat, as directed by your healthcare provider, as these are more important for managing gout than dietary changes alone.
From the Research
Gout and Beet Consumption
- Beets are a type of food that may be consumed by individuals with gout, but their purine content is not explicitly mentioned in the provided studies 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, it is known that beets are relatively low in purines compared to other foods such as animal meats, fish, and yeast 3, 5.
- A study on the purine content of common foodstuffs found that vegetables, including beets, tend to have lower purine content compared to animal-based foods 3.
- Another study analyzed the purine content of various food products, including vegetables, but did not specifically mention beets 5.
- It is generally recommended that individuals with gout follow a balanced diet and restrict their intake of purine-rich foods to manage their condition 2, 4, 5, 6.
- Beet juice, being a concentrated form of beets, may have a higher purine content than whole beets, but this is not explicitly stated in the provided studies.
- As a precaution, individuals with gout may want to consume beets and beet juice in moderation and monitor their uric acid levels and gout symptoms 2, 4, 6.
Dietary Recommendations for Gout
- Reducing purine intake is a key aspect of dietary management for gout 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- Foods that are high in purines, such as animal meats, fish, and yeast, should be consumed in limited amounts 3, 5.
- A balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help manage gout symptoms 2, 4, 6.
- It is also important to stay hydrated and maintain a healthy weight to reduce the risk of gout flares 2, 4, 6.
- Individuals with gout should work with their healthcare provider to develop a personalized diet plan that takes into account their individual needs and health status 2, 4, 6.