Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden swelling, pain, and inflammation in the joints. More than 50 percent of gout cases affect the big toes, while the rest affect knees, fingers, heels, and wrists. To manage gout, diet holds an extremely important place. So, here are some foods to eat and avoid for gout.
Foods to eat
- Cherries or tart cherry juice
Cherries are known to reduce the risk of gout by almost 75 percent. It is because cherries contain anthocyanins, which reduce the uric acid, thereby reducing gout attacks.
- Magnesium-rich foods
Magnesium can be consumed as a supplement when you have gout. It helps better blood circulation, thereby reducing the chances of having a gout attack. It also lowers blood pressure and helps in decreasing heart strain.
- Dandelion
Dandelion often takes on the role of a diuretic that increases your tendency to urinate, because of which excess amount of uric acid is removed from your bloodstream. Especially after a gout attack, dandelion can help relieve pain, inflammation, and swelling as it is rich in phytonutrients and fatty acids.
- Hibiscus
Hibiscus tea again is known to be a diuretic, which means that it increases urination. A study concluded that hibiscus tea can help in the prevention of kidney stones and gout.
- Bananas
Bananas are one of the foods that are highly recommended if you have gout. They are rich in vitamin C and low in purine, because of which they’re able to lower the amount of uric acid content in your blood, thereby reducing the chances of a gout attack. Apart from vitamin C, bananas are also rich in vitamin B6, which helps reduce inflammation and swelling.
Foods to avoid
- Sugars
People with gout should reduce their consumption of refined sugars, as they are linked with conditions that may aggravate gout symptoms, such as diabetes and obesity. Also, products such as corn syrup and soda can increase uric acid in the body, which may further worsen gout.
- Certain high-protein vegetables
Not all high-purine vegetables, such as asparagus or even cauliflower, are considered bad for gout. However, certain high-protein foods, such as baked beans, dried peas, soybeans, and even lentils, may cause a gout flare-up and are best avoided or limited.
- Caffeine-rich foods
Caffeine can be both productive and counterproductive in managing gout. Moderate consumption of caffeine can protect you from gout, but if you go overboard with it, then it may increase gout symptoms by almost 80 percent.
As you can see, some food items trigger gout, whereas some food items help manage its symptoms. Hence, maintaining a distinction between foods to eat and avoid for gout is essential. You can always consider seeking help from your doctor, especially if you are taking medicines for the condition.
