Foods High in Uric Acid
Why and How to Reduce Uric Acid
An excessive amount of uric acid in your bloodstream can lead to a painful condition called gout. When uric acid builds up, it forms urate acid crystals in your joints. Your body has trouble processing and getting rid of all of these crystals. Your joints can become swollen and painful. Uric acid builds up in your body due to the consumption of foods containing purines. Purines, a type of chemical, convert to uric acid in your body.
If you leave an accumulation of uric acid untreated, it can lead to kidney disease and kidney stones. If your gout is untreated long enough, it may even cause eventual kidney failure. You can reduce uric acid levels in your body by making some changes in your diet. Below is a list of foods high in uric acid which you can print and post in your kitchen. For more information on what foods to eat, visit List of Foods Low in Purines for Gout Sufferers and Foods to Reduce Uric Acid Levels.
Before beginning any new diet plan, especially one intended to address a medical condition, consult your family physician.
Beverages
When modifying your diet to eliminate foods high in uric acid, don’t neglect to examine your commonly consumed beverages.
If you regularly consume alcohol, now is the time to replace it with a different beverage. Alcohol, particularly hard liquor and beer, contain high levels of purines that convert to uric acid in your body. Wine is on the low end of the purine scale. Ask your doctor if it is alright for you to drink wine occasionally.
If you are a coffee-drinker, try to cut down on your daily amount gradually. (Cutting out coffee abruptly may give you caffeine withdrawal headaches.) Coffee raises uric acid levels by accelerating the process of conversion in your body. Try switching to decaffeinated coffee instead.
Avoid sodas. They are loaded with simple sugars that increase uric acid production and they also inhibit your body’s ability to flush it out of your body.
Meats and Dairy
Meats are especially high in purines, like beef, pork, and lamb. Avoid all organ meats, sweetbreads, meat-based gravies and broths, and meat extracts. In addition, cut the following meat out of your diet: veal, bacon, goose, turkey, game birds (such as duck and partridge), anchovies, fish eggs, sardines, most fish (including herring, mackerel, salmon, trout, and cod), mussels, crab, shrimp, lobster and scallops. All of these will raise your uric acid levels by introducing purines into your body. The same goes for high-fat dairy products, like cream and ice cream. Enjoy skim or low-fat dairy products in moderation.
Vegetables
The list of foods high in uric acid also includes certain vegetables, which contain large amounts of purines. These include beans, lentils, peas, spinach, rhubarb, mushrooms, cauliflower, and asparagus. Vegetables that are not on this list, like bell peppers and carrots, have negligible amounts of purines. You should not need to limit your fruit intake, unless your doctor advises you to do so.
Grains and Sugars
Bakery items, like cakes and muffins, that contain white flour and simple sugars are also high in purines. Avoid these products, as well as other rich desserts and oatmeal. Simple carbohydrates and simple sugars can also increase your uric acid levels by reducing your body’s capacity to filter out uric acid.
