Gout is a different kind of arthritis that requires special treatment with simple and effective nutritional guidelines.
Unfortunately, not every diet works because you can’t focus on inflammation alone.
Table of contents
The build-up of excess uric acid mainly causes gout, and there are some foods you must avoid to prevent flares. Changing your diet can turn gout into a past condition that doesn’t derail your life as much anymore.
Your diet influences gout because the microbiome of bacteria in the stomach can be friendly or hostile depending on what you feed it. The gut microbiome collects vital nutrients and has a role in the immune system.
Moreover, it helps you control the balance between high and low uric acid levels. The question is whether you want to continue struggling with painful toes or not.
Learn which food products can keep uric acid levels low enough to enjoy life again. Welcome to the secrets of the ultimate gout diet!
Dieting Tips to Change Your Life!
Certain foods, vitamins, and ingredients contain lower amounts of uric acid and purines, making them the perfect options to add to your daily intake. Some might even help the body process toxic levels of these culprits that cause pain in your joints.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a mild but effective option to combat gout. A review published in the Archives of Internal Medicine Journal focused on vitamin C and uric acid levels in men who suffered from gout.
One study in the review experimented with 4 mg of vitamin C daily, doubling uric acid excretion from the men’s bodies. This vitamin gives us many benefits, including stable uric acid levels, but it seems that we still aren’t consuming enough of it.
Speak to your doctor about a supplement that could help you lower your risk for gout flares. Vitamin C is also naturally found in:
- Kiwis
- Oranges
- Grapefruit
- Guavas
- Berries (blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, and raspberries)
- Cherries
- Cantaloupe
- Papaya
- Leafy green vegetables, such as kale, bok choy, and cabbage
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Green and red peppers
These are appropriate to consider for gout patients.
Malic Acid and Alkalinity
Foods that contain malic acid are also great options for a daily intake that doesn’t trigger gout flare-ups. Malic acid is a compound that increases your alkalinity, leading to the reduced reabsorption of citrates in the kidneys.
Citrates or citric acid help the body eliminate excess uric acid via the kidneys. You can keep your gout under control by creating an alkaline-friendly environment in your body.
Apples, apple cider vinegar, and freshly squeezed lime juice contain enough malic acid to produce proper alkalinity. However, apples must be organic so that you don’t run into pesticide toxins or “enhanced flavor,” which is extra sugar.
Apples already contain fructose, so visit the farmer’s market to get them fresh from the tree. It’s easy to add an apple to your diet daily, and you can have lime juice freshly squeezed into a glass of warm water every morning.
Don’t add sugars or artificial sweeteners. Instead, you can add Stevia, which is a natural plant extract. It’s the only artificial sweetener that’s natural enough to use safely with kidney and gout problems, and it mildly reduces uric acid levels.
The malic acid in apple cider vinegar is more concentrated, dissolving uric acid and excreting it safely. You can include it in your diet by dissolving one tablespoon of organic apple cider vinegar into a glass of lukewarm water.
Drink it twice daily before meals.
Whole grains that contain alkaline enhancement are:
- Steel-cut oats
- Organic barley
- Jowar
- Bajra
Antioxidants
Uric acid is an antioxidant, but eating other antioxidants reduces uric acid. A review published by Stephanus Roumeliotis and his associates proves that certain antioxidants can promote kidney function, which is suitable for gout prevention.
Three main easily digested root vegetables with excellent high fiber content are great items to consume in the gout diet. The highest content antioxidant and fiber combinations include vegetables like:
- Carrots
- Beets
- Cucumbers
Switch to root smoothies for breakfast to ensure fewer flares. Combine one small carrot, cucumber, and beet into a blender with one cup of almond milk and blend. Drink this smoothie in the morning to dissolve uric acid crystals and reduce pain.
Another daily product to use is extra-virgin, cold-pressed olive oil. It’s also an antioxidant that provides the same benefits and doubles as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Fiber-Rich Foods
Fiber absorbs uric acid, preventing it from forming crystals on your joints. High-fiber foods that are safe for gout patients include:
- Pears
- Raw nuts
- Citrus fruits
- Broccoli
- Whole grains
- Bananas
- Green tea
- Avocado
- Artichokes
- Brown rice
- Organic peanut butter
- Natural almond butter
- Hard-boiled eggs (only in moderation)
Omega-3 Fats
Omega-3 is the only fat you should consume. Seafood is on the avoidance list for gout patients because it contains too much uric acid, but moderate amounts of freshly caught seafood like tuna and salmon can offer you omega-3 fatty acids.
The salmon or tuna must be fresh. The omega-3s from this source can suppress uric acid too. You’ll get most of your healthy, unsaturated fat from free-range eggs, olive oil, raw nuts, and avocados.
Water
Hydration plays a significant role in how often you experience gout flares. For example, stay hydrated with a minimum of eight glasses of water daily to ensure the kidneys have enough liquids to flush uric acid and other toxins from your body.
Additional Tricks
Knowing how the kidneys function to rid the body of excess uric acid means you can opt for a kidney flush. Ask your doctor about a kidney flush since they can best advise you if you are a candidate for this treatment.
Losing weight can also help you manage gout better. Obesity already increases your risk for recurrent gout attacks by 60%, according to a study published in the Arthritis Care and Research Journal.
Exercise is the final trick to reducing uric acid and leading a healthier, happier life.
Conclusion
We hope this is an excellent breakdown of the foods you can eat to reduce your flare frequency, but some valuable diet plans can help you overcome gout and enjoy life the way you want.
