High-purine foods to consume in moderation

Purines are chemical compounds that are found in human cells and animal and plant-based foods. They're produced naturally in the body and are important for the synthesis of RNA and DNA.

Purines are also broken into uric acid during digestion. However, they sometimes form crystals and deposit in the joints, causing inflammation and pain, which is commonly called gout or gout attack.

Although adding high-purine foods to your diet can be beneficial, consuming them in excess can increase uric acid level, triggering gout and also leading to other health problems like diabetes, kidney disease, and arthritis.

If you're predisposed to a higher level of uric acid or have any related health issues, including kidney stones and arthritis, you may want to limit your purine intake or consider alternative food options. Below, we have provided a list of high-purine foods that you must avoid or eat in moderation..

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High-purine foods to consume in moderation

Purine-rich foods can lead to joint pain and inflammation. (Photo via Pexels/Karolina Grabowska)

Here are a few purine-rich foods that you must avoid or consume in moderation, especially if you have high uric acid;

Seafood

Seafood like codfish, herring, mussels, scallops, trout, and sardines are high purine foods.

Although they're a healthy addition to diet, they're high in uric acid, so people with gout should have them in moderation. Seafood can increase uric acid level in the blood and exacerbate joint pain. Some medium purine-based seafood includes lobster, shrimp, crab, and oysters.

Meats

Organ meats like kidneys, liver, tongue, sweetbread, tripe, and brains are high purine foods and should be completely avoided if you have gout.

Other meats, including duck, goose, pork, chicken, ham, turkey, veal, and lamb should be consumed in moderation.

Sugar-based foods

Sugar-based drinks and foods increase uric acid in the body. (Photo via Pexels/Naim Benjelloun)

Although sugars are low in purines, diets high in refined sugars are high-purine foods that must be avoided or eaten in moderation.

They exacerbate gout symptoms and also lead to diabetes and obesity. Products like soda and other high-fructose-containing items such as corn syrup are high in purine and increase uric acid.

Vegetables

Vegetables high in purines include cauliflower, asparagus, spinach, and a few types of beans.

Although these vegetables are high purine foods, they're not associated with high uric acid levels. In fact, studies suggest that including these vegetables may help reduce risk of gout and prevent joint pain.

Whole grain foods

Beer is high in purine. (Photo via Pexels/Engin Akyurt)

Whole grain foods like bran, oatmeal, and wheat germ are all high-purine foods and should be avoided if you have gout.

Other than the aforementioned high purine foods, alcohol contains varying levels of purine. Beers are especially loaded with purines that can cause uric acid spike, which can lead to serious health concerns.

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Foods low in purine

If you suffer from gout or have other purine-related health problems, you must opt for a low-purine diet that includes the following foods:

Here’s a list of low-purine foods that are a healthier option for people with gout:

• Vegetables, excluding cauliflower, asparagus, spinach
• Crab, herring, and salmon
• Fruits
• Eggs
• Legumes
• Nuts
• Low-fat dairy products

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Avoiding high-purine foods can benefit you by improving the symptoms of gout and reducing pain and inflammation. For people with gout attacks or kidney problems, switching to a low-purine diet can be beneficial and in fact necessary.

However, before starting any new diet, you may want to consider talking to a doctor to ensure that everything’s safe for you. You can also consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist to help you get started.