Gout is a form of painful arthritis. The symptoms trigger when high levels of uric acid in the blood forms crystals and gets accumulated in and around a joint. Adherence to a gout diet helps in the reduction of uric acid levels in the blood. A gout diet isn’t a cure, but it lowers the risk of recurring gout attacks and slows the progression of joint damage. Always avoid these foods that make gout worse.

Foods that make gout worse

1. Meats
All types of organ meats should be completely avoided. These include kidneys, liver, sweetbreads, brains, tongue, and tripe. Such food contains the highest levels of purines. Other types of meats that have a moderate level of purines should be limited to four ounces per day.

2. Fish and seafood
Seafood and fish are common sources of purines. Stop eating sardines, herring, anchovies, and mackerel if your uric acid level is high. These are the foods that make gout worse. Seafood, including shrimp, lobster, crab, and oysters, also needs to be avoided.

3. Whole grain
Plenty of whole grains, including oatmeal, bran, and wheat germ, contain a moderate level of purines. Hence, patients with gout should be careful if they prefer whole grain foods. One with a higher uric acid level should also limit the consumption of white bread and pasta for the prevention of gout onset or flares.

4. Alcohol
Beer and various alcoholic drinks are high in purine content. People with regular alcohol consumption significantly increase gout attacks and the intensity of symptoms. While few alcoholic beverages may not contain a very high level of purines, but they can fuel the purine production in our body. Thus, they increase the uric acid level in our blood.

5. Yeast extract and MSG
Yeast extract and monosodium glutamate or MSG powder contain purines that immediately metabolize uric acid. Most importantly, yeast extract and MSG are the flavor-enhancers in several products, including processed meat, canned food, bouillon, sauces, soup mixes, gravies, and salad dressings, etc. Since the ingredient percentages are not typically shared, it is very risky for people with chronic gout to consume such food items.

Adherence to a strict diet plan eases the symptoms of gout by maintaining uric acid levels. One has to very selective in their food consumption because purines are present in almost all kinds of food at certain levels. Therefore, the best strategy is to avoid the foods that make gout worse.