Prohibited list for gout – Food & drinks

Gout is a metabolic disease characterized by too much uric acid in the blood. It is important to be careful with your diet. Some foods and drinks can increase uric acid levels and should therefore be avoided.

A carefully compiled list of foods to avoid can help. It can reduce gout attacks and improve the course of the disease.

Purines are important for gout. They are broken down into uric acid in the body. A diet high in purines can increase uric acid levels and trigger gout attacks.

To prevent this, daily purine consumption should be limited to around 300 milligrams.

Important findings

• Purine-rich foods increase uric acid levels
• Offal and seafood are particularly high in purines
• Alcohol, especially beer, increases the symptoms of gout
• Plant-based purine sources are less of a concern
• Coffee and vitamin C can lower uric acid levels

Basic information on the connection between gout and diet

Gout and diet are closely linked. To understand the causes of gout, you need to know the role of purines and uric acid.

Purines and their effect in the body

Purines are found in many foods and in the body. They are important for the formation of uric acid. The body converts purines into uric acid, which it then excretes.

Uric acid formation through food

The food we eat influences the uric acid in the body. A diet high in purines can increase uric acid levels. Offal, red meat and some fish are particularly rich in purines.

Limit values for uric acid in the blood

There are gender-specific limits for uric acid in the blood. Men may have up to 7.4 mg/dl, women up to 6.7 mg/dl. If these values are exceeded, this is known as hyperuricemia, a risk for gout.

A balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, whole grains and vegetable oils helps to control uric acid levels. It is also important to eat less purine-rich foods and drink enough.

Prohibited list for gout: Animal products

An adapted diet is important for gout to prevent attacks. Purine-rich foods are at the top of the prohibited list. Animal products in particular can be problematic.

Offal and red meat

Offal such as liver, kidneys and brains are particularly high in purines. Red meat from beef, pork and lamb should also be avoided. A maximum of 100-150 grams of meat or fish is allowed per day.

Seafood and fish

Seafood such as sardines, mackerel and mussels are unsuitable for gout patients. There are also differences in fish: trout and tuna have a high purine content. Eel, salmon and carp are better.

Critical dairy products and cheeses

Low-fat dairy products are usually unproblematic. Caution is advised with blue cheese and cheeses with a high salt content. These can promote gout attacks and should only be consumed in moderation.

A balanced diet with low-purine foods helps to lower uric acid levels. No more than 500 milligrams of uric acid should be consumed daily through food. If you are unsure, it is advisable to consult a nutritionist.

Drinks and alcohol as risk factors

Gout is a painful disease. It is often aggravated by the wrong diet and drinks. Alcohol and sugary drinks are particularly problematic.

Beer and its double burden

Beer is particularly problematic for gout patients. It contains alcohol and purines. This combination greatly increases uric acid levels.

Non-alcoholic beer should also be avoided. It also contains purines.

Spirits and liqueurs

High-proof spirits place an additional burden on the body. They hinder the breakdown of uric acid. This can trigger gout attacks.

The tolerance limit for men is a maximum of 1/4 liter of alcohol per day. For women it is 1/8 liter.

Sugary drinks

Soft drinks and sweetened fruit juices often contain fructose. This fructose increases the uric acid level in the blood. Water, unsweetened teas or coffee are better.

It is important to drink enough water to avoid gout attacks. Gout patients should drink 2-3 liters a day. This lowers the uric acid concentration and prevents deposits.

Plant-based foods with a high purine content

Diet is very important for gout. Not only meat, but also some plants can cause problems. Pulses such as beans, peas and lentils contain purines.

Some vegetables, such as asparagus, cauliflower and spinach, are also high in purines. But studies show that they do not greatly increase the risk of gout. A balanced diet is very important.

Some types of fruit, such as bananas and cherries, can lower uric acid levels. This shows how complex the effect of food on the body can be.

A purine content of around 200 mg per day is okay for gout patients. However, the effect of diet on gout can vary. Slow weight loss can help to reduce uric acid levels.

Conclusion

A balanced diet is important for the gout diet. The body should not consume more than 500 milligrams of uric acid per day. One third of uric acid comes from food.

To keep uric acid levels low, you should eat fewer purine-rich foods. This helps to lower uric acid levels.

Lifestyle changes are very important for gout patients. Alcohol consumption should be greatly reduced. Alcohol increases uric acid production and inhibits excretion.

For example, 100 milliliters of beer brings about 15 milligrams of uric acid into the body. Women should drink no more than half a glass of wine a day. Men can have a maximum of one glass, but not every day.

A DASH diet can lower uric acid levels. It includes wholegrain products, vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, pulses, lean meat and fish. Low-fat dairy products and coffee also help to reduce uric acid production.

Cherries can reduce the risk of gout attacks. Individual advice from nutrition experts is highly advisable when implementing a balanced diet. This is the best way to achieve the best results.