Are There Vegetables To Avoid With Gout?

I love vegetables. All shapes and sizes, from kale to kohlrabi.

They are packed with essential nutrients and are widely recommended for a healthy, balanced diet.

But are there some vegetables that should be avoided by people with gout?

Gout And Purines

Food high in purines cause the body to produce excessive levels of uric acid, which is what usually causes gout.

Normally, uric acid is excreted in the urine, but if you have too much of it in your body, it can build up and crystallize into joints. This can cause unbearable pain and swelling.

So the key is to avoid high purine foods. But what are high purine foods?

Liver and other organ meats and seafood like anchovies and sardines are the most common culprits. Sugary snacks high in fructose are a no-no as well.

Alcohol consumption has also been linked to gout causes. Beer in particular is one of the worst for triggering a gout attack.

The pain can be brutal and can last from a few days to weeks. My worst gout attack lasted a sickening 7 weeks!

But even though vegetables are good for you, some of them contain high levels of purines.

So what vegetables should you stay away from?

Vegetables To Avoid With Gout?

These vegetables have higher levels of purines than others;

– Spinach

– Asparagus

– Dried Beans

– Peas

– Mushrooms

– Artichokes

– Brussels Sprouts

Some of these may surprise you, especially spinach.

However, studies have shown that even vegetables high in purines are not likely to trigger a gout attack.

The reason for this is because vegetables are low in calories and fat, so their purines go through the body quickly and can be excreted before causing any real harm.

And even vegetables that are higher in purines are actually low in purines compared to foods like organ meats, seafood and alcohol.

So the good news is that there are no vegetables to avoid with gout.

Studies have shown that eating a gout diet rich in vegetables can actually reduce gout risk.

• One study by the University of Manchester found that “eating four servings of vegetables a day can reduce gout risk by as much as 25%.”

• Another study from the University of California found that “eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables can reduce gout risk by up to 40%.”
• And another study by the Harvard School of Public Health found that “eating six to eight servings of fruits and vegetables a day can reduce gout risk by up to 50%.”

In the publication Gout: Pathogenesis and Clinical Management, it is recommended that “those with a gout history should increase their intake of fresh fruits and vegetables and reduce their intake of red meat, seafood, and organ meats.”

Gout specialist Dr. John Cluley reiterates the need to increase your intake of vegetables and fruits, “It is important not to worry about eating high purine vegetables. Eating more fruits and vegetables can help reduce gout risk as well as improve overall health.”

Foot specialist Dr. David Geller agrees, “it is important to remember that there are no vegetables to avoid with gout. Eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables can actually reduce gout risk.”

So the bottom line is don’t worry about eating too many vegetables.

Immediate Pain Relief For Gout

If you suffer from gout, you know how devastating the pain can be.

Eating the right vegetables is just one way to manage your symptoms and reduce your risk of a flare-up.

But if you’re already in the midst of an attack, here are some tips for quick pain relief:

• Take anti-inflammatory medications

• Apply ice packs to reduce swelling

• Elevate the affected area

• Drink plenty of water

You could take a tart cherry supplement or try turmeric for gout. Both have been proven to reduce uric acid in clinical studies.

By following these steps, you can get some much-needed relief from gout.

Vegetables are fine for gout, even the ones higher in purines.

However, to be on the safe side maybe you could limit the higher purine ones. There are plenty of others to go at after all.