Basic Diet for Gout
Gout is a type of disease that is very prominent in people who overindulge in foods high in purine and uric acid. This disease is basically caused by poor nutrition and to combat it you need to follow a healthy diet.
Basic Diet for Gout
Staying hydrated is a very important part of diet for gout. Excessive production of uric acid causes gout and to eliminate it you need to drink lots of water. Also, you should abstain from alcohol because it contributes to gout.
Foods that contain high levels of purine and uric acid are the ones that you need to avoid because purines help raise uric acid levels that causes gout. The body naturally produces purine and some are acquired from the foods we eat.
To prevent gout you need to reduce animal protein consumption. Proper diet for gout means that you should abstain from too much meat as this will help you lessen the risks of gout attacks as well as other diseases.
Purine foods are typically foods that are high in protein like anchovies, sweetbreads, organ meats, sardines and red meats. Aside from alcohol, the following foods should also be avoided.
- Shrimps
- Oysters
- Lobsters
- Scallops
- Beef
- Pork
- Chicken
- Duck
- Turkey
- Processed Meats
There are vegetables that also contain purines like kidney beans, lentils, mushrooms, spinach and asparagus.
Diet for gout also involves cutting down on sugar intake as it also raises the level of purine in the body. Always remember that purine reduction through dieting eliminates risks of gout.
Cherries are known to have good benefits in gout prevention as it was studied during the early 1950's. Twelve gout patients were given a half pound of cherry juice each and they were observed after a few weeks. Both the doctors and patients were surprised because there were no more gout attacks after drinking the juice.
After the study, other berries like strawberries, blue berries and red berries were believed to be very helpful in preventing gout.
Below are foods that you can include in your diet for gout:
· Fresh fruit juices (cherry, cranberry and strawberry)
· Vegetables (celery, carrots, parsley, cabbage, kale and green leafy vegetables)
· Banana
As a recap, proper nutrition plays a major role in gout prevention as well as relief if you are already suffering from it. To know more about proper diet for gout it is best that you consult your doctor or a qualified dietician.
