A Cherry A Day Helps Keep Gout Away

Gout is one of the most painful forms of arthritis. But studies over the years have shown that by eating the right foods, you can control the severity and frequency of gout attacks and manage the condition more effectively. Some foods have even been found to trigger an onslaught of gout. Here we discuss which foods to avoid and which ones to include in your diet to minimize the impact of the condition.

What is Gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis, which appears suddenly in one or more joints. It is brought on by the needle-like crystallization of excess uric acid in blood and joints. The symptoms of gout are swelling, inflammation and severe pain in joints. It normally starts in big toes and legs.

What causes Gout?

Uric acid is the output when purines are broken down in the body. Uric acid is formed in excess in the body when its production increases or its excretion decreases, or there is increase in the intake of purine-rich food. This excess uric acid gets deposited as crystals with needle-like shapes in joints and blood. This causes inflammation which results in gout.

Purines are present in the body and also taken in through purine-rich foods. Reducing the consumption of purine foods is an obvious way of preventing frequent gout attacks. There are other foods that help in reducing the severity of the disease.

Food to Avoid

Listed here some high-purine foods:

• Alcohol such red wine and beer
• Some meats including processed meat and red meat
• Organ meats like heart, liver and kidney
• Seafood such as herring, sardine and salmon
• Legumes, including peas and beans
• Some vegetables like spinach, mushroom and cauliflower
  
  

Purines are found in all foods rich in proteins. As protein is an essential nutrient, it is not advisable to avoid all purine foods. There are also conflicting claims about the legumes and vegetables, so consult your doctor or a nutritionist before completely eliminating them from your diet.

Recommended Foods

Some foods are found to be helpful in managing gout. The general guidelines for dietary choices are foods high in fiber, low in protein, low in fat, as well as omega fatty acids, whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Try some of these in your daily diet.

• Dark colored berries like cherries, blueberries and strawberries
• Leafy-green vegetables like cabbage and kale
• Fruits and vegetables with vitamin C like oranges and bell peppers
• Water (minimum 8 glasses) and fruit juices
• Celery, banana, pineapple, tomato
• Tofu
• Cocoa, coffee, tea
• Low-fat dairy products
• Complex carbohydrates like cereals, bread and pasta
  
  

As some of the foods in the list to be avoided (like seafood and the vegetables) are actually beneficial for other diseases, consider eating them in moderation.

Gout can be managed by following the right diet but it’s essential to incorporate certain lifestyle changes as well. For instance, it’s important to have support from family and friends so as to avoid temptations. Another change you can make is while shopping: prepare your list in advance to avoid those food items connected to gout. By making the right choices you can keep the symptoms and pain of gout at bay.