From the Guidelines
If you have gout, it is crucial to avoid foods high in purines, alcohol, and high-fructose corn syrup to prevent painful flare-ups and manage uric acid levels. According to the most recent guideline from the American College of Rheumatology 1, limiting alcohol intake, purine intake, and high-fructose corn syrup is conditionally recommended for patients with gout. Specifically, foods to avoid include:
- Organ meats (liver, kidneys, sweetbreads)
- Game meats
- Certain seafood (anchovies, sardines, mussels, scallops, trout, tuna)
- Red meat
- High-fructose corn syrup products
- Alcoholic beverages, especially beer
- Sugary sodas and fruit juices with high fructose content
These dietary restrictions are essential because gout occurs when excess uric acid forms crystals in your joints, causing inflammation and intense pain. Purines break down into uric acid in your body, so limiting purine-rich foods helps manage uric acid levels. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight through weight loss, if necessary, is also conditionally recommended for overweight or obese patients with gout 1. It is also important to note that vitamin C supplementation is not recommended for patients with gout, as stated in the 2020 American College of Rheumatology guideline 1.
While medication prescribed by your doctor (such as allopurinol, febuxostat, or colchicine) is often necessary to control gout, dietary changes play a crucial supporting role. Staying well-hydrated with water to help flush uric acid from your system is also essential. The current nutritional recommendations for gout are generally based on low-quality evidence, but the available evidence supports weight loss for overweight gout patients and highlights the need for high-quality evidence in this area 1.
From the Research
Foods to Avoid with Gout
When managing gout, it's essential to be aware of the foods that can trigger or worsen symptoms. While the provided studies do not directly address specific foods to avoid, they do discuss the importance of lifestyle modifications in gout prevention 2, 3, 4.
Dietary Considerations
- High-purine foods, such as organ meats and certain seafood, can increase uric acid levels and trigger gout attacks 4.
- Alcohol consumption, particularly beer and liquor, can also raise uric acid levels and worsen gout symptoms 4.
- Sugary drinks and foods high in sugar can contribute to insulin resistance and increase uric acid production 4.
- Foods high in saturated and trans fats, such as red meat and processed foods, can also exacerbate gout symptoms 4.
Urate-Lowering Therapies
In addition to dietary modifications, urate-lowering therapies (ULTs) are commonly used to manage gout. These therapies aim to reduce serum uric acid levels and prevent gout flares. Common ULTs include:
Importance of Lifestyle Modifications
Lifestyle modifications, including dietary changes, are crucial in managing gout and preventing future flares. By avoiding trigger foods and maintaining a healthy diet, individuals with gout can help reduce their symptoms and improve their overall quality of life 2, 3, 4.