Gout and grapes. Gout Diet: Essential Foods to Eat and Avoid for Managing Symptoms

18.08.202311.06.2023 by alexxlab

What foods should you eat to manage gout symptoms. How can dietary changes help prevent gout attacks. Which foods are best avoided if you have gout. What role does weight loss play in gout management. Can cherry juice help with gout symptoms. How effective are dietary supplements for gout.

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Understanding Gout: Causes and Risk Factors

Gout is a painful form of arthritis caused by an excess of uric acid in the body. This condition leads to swelling and inflammation in the joints, resulting in intense discomfort for those affected. But what exactly causes gout, and who is at risk?

Uric acid is a natural waste product that results from the breakdown of certain foods. Normally, it’s processed by the kidneys and eliminated through urine. However, when uric acid levels become too high, it can crystallize in the joints, triggering a gout attack.

One significant risk factor for gout is excess body weight. Individuals who are overweight or obese tend to have higher-than-normal uric acid levels, increasing their susceptibility to gout attacks. This connection between weight and gout underscores the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight as part of gout management.

The Role of Diet in Gout Management

Diet plays a crucial role in managing gout symptoms and preventing future attacks. While medication is often necessary, dietary changes can significantly impact uric acid levels and overall gout management. How effective can dietary modifications be in controlling gout?

According to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, dietary changes alone can lower uric acid levels by up to 15 percent. This reduction can make a substantial difference in managing gout symptoms and reducing the frequency of attacks.

The main principles of a gout-friendly diet align closely with those of a general healthy, balanced diet. These include:

Reducing calorie intake if overweight
Choosing unrefined carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
Limiting intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and foods
Reducing consumption of red meats and organ meats
Cutting back on saturated fats

Foods to Avoid: Potential Gout Triggers

While individual responses may vary, certain foods have been identified as potential triggers for gout attacks. Which foods should individuals with gout be cautious about consuming?

Red meat
Organ meats (kidney, liver, sweetbreads)
Certain types of seafood (anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel, scallops)
Products containing high-fructose corn syrup

In addition to these foods, certain beverages may also trigger gout attacks:

Alcoholic beverages, especially beer, whiskey, gin, vodka, or rum
Sugary drinks, including sodas and juices
Energy drinks

It’s worth noting that while coffee and other caffeinated beverages have shown mixed results in studies, some research suggests that sudden spikes in caffeine intake could potentially trigger a gout attack.

Gout-Friendly Foods: What to Include in Your Diet

Contrary to popular belief, not all high-purine foods need to be avoided if you have gout. In fact, some purine-rich foods can be beneficial and provide essential nutrients. Which foods can be safely included in a gout-friendly diet?

Studies have shown that purine-rich vegetables don’t trigger gout attacks. These vegetables can be excellent sources of nutrients and can be safely incorporated into your diet:

Peas
Beans
Lentils
Spinach
Mushrooms
Oats
Cauliflower
Broccoli

Additionally, certain high-purine foods can be good sources of lean protein, which is important for overall health. It’s crucial to balance your diet and not eliminate entire food groups unnecessarily.

Weight Loss and Gout: The Connection

For individuals who are overweight or obese, losing weight can be a significant factor in managing gout symptoms. How does weight loss impact gout?

A 2017 review of studies found that a weight loss of about eight pounds or more led to long-term reductions in uric acid levels and fewer gout attacks in overweight or obese individuals. This suggests that even moderate weight loss can have substantial benefits for gout management.

Weight loss can help lower uric acid levels and reduce the risk of future gout attacks. However, it’s important to approach weight loss in a healthy, sustainable manner. Crash diets or extreme calorie restriction can potentially trigger gout attacks, so it’s best to lose weight gradually under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

The Cherry Controversy: Can Cherries Help with Gout?

Cherries and cherry juice have long been a popular folk remedy for gout, but what does the science say about their effectiveness?

Cherries contain compounds called anthocyanins, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest that cherries may have a beneficial effect on uric acid levels, potentially helping to reduce the risk of gout attacks.

One large study of people with recurrent gout found that eating cherries was associated with a lower risk of gout attacks. This effect was particularly notable when cherry consumption was combined with taking a common uric acid-lowering drug.

However, it’s important to note that more research is needed before definitive recommendations can be made about cherries or cherry juice for gout. While promising, the evidence is not yet conclusive, and cherries should not be considered a substitute for medical treatment.

Dietary Supplements and Gout Management

Some individuals with gout may consider using dietary supplements as part of their management strategy. But how effective are these supplements, and which ones show promise?

Vitamin C supplements, in doses up to 500 mg daily, are sometimes recommended for people with gout. Some studies have shown that vitamin C may have a mild uric-acid-lowering effect. However, the evidence is mixed, and it’s not clear whether vitamin C significantly helps relieve gout symptoms.

A 2013 study found that supplementing with 500 mg of vitamin C for eight weeks did not significantly lower uric acid levels in patients with gout. This highlights the need for more research to determine the true efficacy of vitamin C supplementation for gout management.

It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplements, as they may interact with medications or have unexpected effects on gout symptoms.

Key Takeaways for Gout Management Through Diet

Focus on a balanced diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
Limit intake of red meat, organ meats, and certain types of seafood
Avoid sugar-sweetened beverages and excessive alcohol consumption
Incorporate purine-rich vegetables, as they don’t typically trigger gout attacks
Aim for gradual weight loss if overweight or obese
Consider including cherries in your diet, but don’t rely on them as a sole treatment
Consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplements

Managing gout through diet requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond simply avoiding certain foods. By focusing on overall dietary quality, maintaining a healthy weight, and working closely with healthcare providers, individuals with gout can significantly improve their symptoms and quality of life.

Navigating Gout-Friendly Meal Planning

Creating a gout-friendly meal plan can seem challenging at first, but with some knowledge and creativity, it’s entirely possible to enjoy delicious, satisfying meals while managing your gout symptoms. How can you approach meal planning when you have gout?

Start by focusing on building your meals around low-purine foods. This includes most fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins like chicken or turkey. Here’s a sample day of gout-friendly meals:

Breakfast:

Oatmeal topped with fresh berries and a dollop of low-fat yogurt
Whole grain toast with avocado
Green tea or coffee in moderation

Lunch:

Grilled chicken salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber
Whole grain roll
Fresh fruit for dessert

Dinner:

Baked salmon with roasted vegetables (broccoli, carrots, sweet potato)
Quinoa or brown rice
Mixed berry compote for dessert

Remember to stay hydrated throughout the day, primarily with water. Adequate hydration can help your body flush out excess uric acid more effectively.

When planning your meals, try to incorporate a variety of foods to ensure you’re getting a wide range of nutrients. This not only supports overall health but can also help prevent boredom with your diet, making it easier to stick to in the long term.

The Importance of Consistency in Gout Management

While making dietary changes is crucial for managing gout, it’s equally important to maintain consistency in your approach. Why is consistency so vital in gout management?

Gout is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. Sporadic adherence to a gout-friendly diet may not provide the sustained benefits needed to effectively control uric acid levels and prevent gout attacks. Consistency in your dietary habits helps maintain stable uric acid levels, reducing the likelihood of sudden spikes that could trigger an attack.

Moreover, consistent dietary habits can help you identify potential trigger foods more easily. By maintaining a regular eating pattern and gradually introducing new foods, you can better observe how your body responds and adjust your diet accordingly.

It’s also worth noting that dietary changes often work in tandem with medication prescribed by your healthcare provider. Consistent adherence to both your diet and medication regimen can provide the best outcomes in managing gout symptoms.

Tips for Maintaining Dietary Consistency:

Plan your meals in advance to ensure you always have gout-friendly options available
Keep a food diary to track your intake and any symptoms you experience
Prepare meals in bulk and freeze portions for quick, easy access to healthy meals
Find gout-friendly alternatives for your favorite high-purine foods
Educate family and friends about your dietary needs to make social eating situations easier

Remember, managing gout is a marathon, not a sprint. Small, consistent changes over time can lead to significant improvements in your symptoms and overall quality of life.

The Role of Hydration in Gout Management

While much focus is placed on what to eat (and what not to eat) when managing gout, the importance of proper hydration often gets overlooked. How does staying hydrated impact gout symptoms?

Adequate hydration is crucial for individuals with gout for several reasons. Firstly, drinking plenty of water helps dilute uric acid in the bloodstream, making it less likely to form crystals in the joints. Secondly, good hydration supports kidney function, allowing these organs to more effectively filter and excrete excess uric acid from the body.

But how much water should you drink? While individual needs may vary, a general guideline is to aim for at least 8-10 glasses (64-80 ounces) of water per day. However, factors such as climate, physical activity, and overall health may necessitate higher fluid intake.

Hydration Tips for Gout Management:

Start your day with a glass of water to kickstart hydration
Carry a reusable water bottle to encourage regular sipping throughout the day
Flavor water with slices of lemon, cucumber, or mint for variety
Include hydrating foods in your diet, such as watermelon, cucumbers, and zucchini
Monitor the color of your urine – pale yellow indicates good hydration

While water is the best choice for hydration, other beverages can contribute to your fluid intake as well. Herbal teas, particularly those made from anti-inflammatory herbs like ginger or turmeric, can be beneficial. However, it’s important to be cautious with sweetened beverages, as excess sugar can contribute to weight gain and potentially exacerbate gout symptoms.

Remember, staying well-hydrated is not just beneficial for gout management – it supports overall health and wellbeing. Make hydration a priority in your daily routine to reap the full benefits for your gout symptoms and beyond.

Gout Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid

Certain foods may trigger gout attacks, and some people claim cherry juice might help.

By Lindsey KonkelMedically Reviewed by Samir Dalvi, MD

Reviewed: September 24, 2022

Medically Reviewed

Choosing whole grains, vegetables, and fruits — especially cherries — may help gout.Getty Images

Gout causes swelling and inflammation in the joints. It’s a painful form of arthritis caused by too much uric acid in the body.

A Look at How You Get Gout

Uric acid is a normal waste product in the blood that comes from the breakdown of certain foods. It’s processed in the kidneys before being eliminated from the body in urine.

Excess Body Weight and Gout

Being overweight is associated with higher-than-normal uric acid levels. Since this is a major risk factor for gout, losing weight is often the goal of a gout diet.

Dieting and Weight Loss to Prevent Gout

Losing weight may help lower your uric acid levels and reduce your risk of future gout attacks. A 2017 review of studies suggested that a weight loss of about eight pounds or more led to long-term reductions in uric acid levels and gout attacks in overweight or obese people. (1)

An Overview of Dietary Approaches to Manage and Prevent Gout

The main principles of a gout diet are usually the same as those of any healthy, balanced diet.

They include:

If you’re overweight, reduce the number of calories you consume.
Choose unrefined carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Limit your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and foods.
Limit your intake of red meats and organ meats (such as kidney, liver, or sweetbreads).
Cut back on saturated fats.

Dietary Causes of Gout and Gouty Arthritis

Some people with gout find it helpful to eliminate specific high-purine foods from their diet. (2) Certain high-purine foods may trigger gout attacks in some people.

Most people with gout will still need medication even if they follow a diet for gout.

Dietary changes alone can lower your uric acid levels by up to 15 percent, according to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care, an independent scientific institute that evaluates the benefits and harms of medical interventions. (2)

It’s not necessary to avoid all high-purine foods if you have gout. Studies have shown that purine-rich vegetables don’t trigger gout. (3) And certain high-purine foods can be a good source of lean protein to incorporate into your diet.

Purine-rich vegetarian foods to include in your diet are:

Peas
Beans
Lentils
Spinach
Mushrooms
Oats
Cauliflower
Broccoli

Foods to Avoid to Control or Prevent Gout

The following foods may trigger gout attacks in some people:

Red meat
Organ meats
Certain types of seafood (anchovies, sardines, herring, mackerel, scallops)
Products containing high-fructose corn syrup

Drinks that can trigger gout include:

Alcoholic beverages, especially beer, whiskey, gin, vodka, or rum
Sugary drinks, including sodas, juices, energy drinks
Coffee and other caffeinated beverages. While some studies show that caffeine can actually protect against gout pain, others find that sudden spikes in caffeine intake can trigger a gout attack.

Dietary Supplements for Gout Management and Prevention

Talk to your doctor about any supplements or vitamins you take or may want to take. Supplements and other remedies may interfere with medication.

Vitamin C supplements (up to 500 mg daily) are sometimes recommended for people with gout. (4)

One study found that taking 500 mg of vitamin C per day had a mild uric-acid–lowering effect. (5) Yet it’s not clear whether vitamin C helps relieve gout symptoms.

A 2013 study showed that supplementing with 500 mg of vitamin C for eight weeks did not significantly lower uric acid levels in patients with gout. (6)

Cherry Juice for Gout Management?

Cherries and cherry juice are a popular folk remedy for gout, but the scientific evidence to support their supposed benefits is still coming in.

In 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent warning letters to several cherry product manufacturers for overselling the health benefits of their products in advertisements. (7)

Nonetheless, there’s reason to believe that cherries may help fight gout. They contain chemical compounds called anthocyanins, which have been shown to help reduce inflammation. (8)

Cherries may also have a beneficial effect on uric acid levels.

One large study of people with recurrent gout found that eating cherries was associated with a lower risk of gout attacks, especially when cherry consumption was combined with taking a common uric acid-lowering drug. (9)

Despite these findings, experts say that more research is needed before any definitive recommendations can be made about cherries or cherry juice for gout.

Gout Cookbooks and Gout-Friendly Eating Plans

Martin K. The Gout Diet and Cookbook: An Introduction to Low Purine Foods and Meals for People With Gout. 2016.
Preston C. Gout Diet: The Anti-inflammatory Gout Diet. 2015.
Shah M. Gout Cookbook: 85 Healthy Homemade and Low Purine Recipes for People With Gout (A Complete Gout Diet Guide and Cookbook). 2016.

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Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking

Nielsen S, Bartels E, Henriksen M, et al. Weight Loss for Overweight and Obese Individuals With Gout: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. October 9, 2017.
Gout. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. May 17, 2018.
Gout Diet: Dos and Don’ts. Arthritis Foundation.
Neogi T. Lifestyle Modification and Other Strategies to Reduce the Risk of Gout Flares and Progression of Gout. UpToDate. August 31, 2022.
Huang HY, Appel L, Choi M, et al. The Effects of Vitamin C Supplementation on Serum Concentrations of Uric Acid: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Arthritis & Rheumatism. June 2005.
Stamp L, O’Donnell J, Frampton C, et al. Clinically Insignificant Effect of Supplemental Vitamin C on Serum Urate in Patients With Gout: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Arthritis & Rheumatism. May 30, 2013.
Cherry Companies Warned by FDA Against Making Health Claims. The Produce News. November 1, 2005.
Do Cherries Prevent Gout? Arthritis-health.com. February 19, 2020.
Terkeltaub R. Are Cherries Now Ripe for Use as a Complementary Therapeutic in Gout? Appraisal of the State of Evidence. BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine. December 2013.

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Uric acid crystals can form kidney stones, a complication that occurs in about 15 percent of people with gout.W.D. Auer/Alamy

Gout is a painful form of arthritis that occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. Uric acid is a normal waste product in the blood that comes from the breakdown of certain foods. Having too much uric acid in the body is called hyperuricemia. (1)

For some people, gout can be chronic, which means multiple, severe gout attacks several times a year.

Some people who have repeated gout flares or overly high levels of uric acid for several years develop a form of gout called tophaceous gout.

Chronic gout, sometimes called gouty arthritis, can lead to a number of serious complications if left untreated. (2)

Complications of gout and hyperuricemia can include:

Joint damage
Joint deformity
Loss of mobility or range of motion
Bone loss
Tophi deposits throughout the body
Kidney stones
Chronic kidney disease

What Is Tophaceous Gout? What Are Tophi Deposits?

People with tophaceous gout can get tophi, which are hard uric acid deposits that form beneath the skin. Tophi look like chalky lumps under the skin.

They can be found on or near the elbow, finger, or toe joints. Tophi can also appear on the outer part of the ear.

Tophi can destroy bone and cartilage, leading to joint damage and deformity. (3)

They can swell during a gout attack and pop through the skin and become infected.

With treatment, tophi can dissolve and eventually disappear.

Not everyone with gout develops tophi.

Certain groups share a higher risk for tophaceous gout, including: (4)

Organ transplant recipients who receive certain types of medication to prevent transplant rejection
People who can’t take uric-acid-lowering medicines (because of kidney failure or drug allergy)
Postmenopausal women, especially those taking a diuretic. (Diuretics, used to treat high blood pressure, can raise uric acid levels.)

Treatment for Tophaceous Gout and Tophi

Treatment for tophaceous gout typically involves long-term therapy with one or more uric-acid-lowering medications. (5)

Achieving and maintaining a uric acid level of 6 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl) or below can help reduce the risk of future gout flares. (6) These medications will also cause tophi to dissolve and disappear.

Uric-acid-lowering medications take time to work. It may take several months of treatment before uric acid levels start to go down.

Some uric-acid-lowering medications for gout include:

probenecid (Benemid)
losartan (Cozaar)
allopurinol (Zyloprim)
febuxostat (Uloric)
pegloticase (Krystexxa)

Drinking plenty of water, exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding foods and beverages that trigger gout attacks (alcoholic and sugar-sweetened drinks, red meats, organ meats, certain kinds of seafood) can also help lower uric acid levels.

Treating Gout and Tophi With Surgery

Uric-acid-lowering drugs can reduce the size of tophi over time. Some people may opt to have tophi surgically removed for cosmetic reasons. (7)

Your doctor may recommend surgical removal for tophi if they are causing mechanical problems with your joints.

Surgery for gout can help to reduce joint problems caused by tophi, including difficulty walking or nerve damage from tophi pressing against a nerve.

Tophi can erode through the skin, causing chronic ulcers that can become infected. These may require surgical removal.

Tophi removal is a relatively simple procedure. Your doctor will make a small incision on the skin over the tophi, remove the mass, and then suture the wound.

People with severe joint damage or bone loss around the joint may need additional joint replacement surgery.

The Link Between Gout and Kidney Stones

Excess uric acid can build up in the blood and form crystals. This may happen if the body is making too much uric acid or if the kidneys are having a hard time filtering it out.

These spiky, urate crystals may also cause a stone to form in the kidney or other parts of the urinary tract.

Kidney stones can get stuck in the urinary tract and cause severe pain in the side of the abdomen or back. They pass out of the body in urine.

Kidney stones caused by uric acid crystals occur in about 15 percent of people living with gout. (4)

Uric acid gets excreted by the kidneys. Some medications aim at lowering uric acid levels by increasing the amount of uric acid excreted by the kidneys. These medications may increase the risk of kidney stones in some people. (4)

Talk with your doctor if you are using a uric-acid-lowering drug and are developing kidney stones. Your doctor may opt to put you on a different medication.

The Link Between Gout and Chronic Kidney Disease

There’s a relationship between gout and chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease is a condition in which you slowly lose kidney function over time. The kidneys are important because they help remove waste products (such as uric acid) and urine from the body. (8)

People with chronic kidney disease are at an increased risk for gout, and people with gout are at an increased risk for chronic kidney disease. (9)

If the kidneys aren’t working properly, uric acid can build up in the body. That’s why kidney disease sometimes leads to high uric acid in the blood. High uric acid can cause gout.

One way that gout may contribute to chronic kidney disease is through kidney stones. People with recurrent kidney stones are at an increased risk for chronic kidney disease.

The National Kidney Foundation recommends that people with gout get checked for chronic kidney disease. (9) Your doctor may take blood and urine samples to test for it.

Doctors can use different methods to determine if kidney damage is present. For example, a GFR test assesses your glomerular filtration rate, measuring how well your kidneys filter fluid each minute. And an ACR test measures your albumin-creatinine ratio — substances in the urine that help determine if kidney damage is present. (9)

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