Is Pork Bad For Gout ?

Pork is a popular type of meat. Hipster foodies swear by it, with their pulled pork sandwiches, bacon-wrapped filet mignons and pork belly ramen.

Pork has some health benefits too, such as being high in protein and containing nutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium and B-vitamins. Pork also provides amino acids that support muscle growth.

But is pork good for gout? That’s what we want to know here.

Pork And Gout

Gout sufferers are advised to avoid high purine foods. Purines are compounds that are broken down into uric acid in the body, and too much uric acid in the blood can lead to gout flare-ups. And we don’t want that do we?

So is Pork high in purines?

Well, Pork is moderately high in purines so – you’ve guessed it – eat pork in moderation.

The good news is that some cuts of pork are lower in purines than others. Pork tenderloin and other lean cuts are safer bets when it comes to avoiding excessive amounts of purines. However, Pork liver is high in purines.

In a study by the National Pork Board, it was found that pork can be safely consumed by those with gout, as long as the right cuts are chosen and consumed in moderation. But I guess they would say that wouldn’t they?

Conclusion

It’s difficult to find any reliable clinical trials that say either way whether pork is good or bad for gout.

So, if you have gout, don’t write off pork completely. Pork can still be a part of your diet, but it’s best enjoyed in moderation.

Bon appetit!