New research provides evidence that some foods may help reduce gout pain and the risk of a gout attack.
According to research, uric acid in body is the primary cause of a gout attack. Thus, consistently maintaining reduced levels of uric acid in the body is vital to reducing the risk of a gout attack. The reason a high level of uric acid in the body is harmful is that it can lead to the formation of crystals that deposit themselves between the joints causing severe pain.
This happens because the blood stream carries the uric acid throughout the body prior to it being excreted out of the body in the urine. However, as the uric acid is moved through the bloodstream, gravity begins to pull the uric acid to the lower parts of the body. This is why a gout attack is usually first experienced in the big toe. The big toe has some of the largest space between its joints, and over time the crystals deposit themselves between those joints. These piles of crystals soon begin to cause pain and redness by having their sharp edges irritate the surrounding tissue.
The Traditional Gout Diet:
Traditionally, many of the anti-gout diets have touted what foods to avoid. These diets focus on avoiding foods that are high in purines. Research suggests high purine foods contribute to a gout attack. The highest purine foods to avoid include sardines, trout, bacon, venison and alcoholic beverages.
However, thanks to the tireless commitment of food researchers and food scientists, new research indicates certain foods may actually help to reduce the levels of uric acid in the body naturally. This research suggest individuals should not only avoid high-purine foods, but also add gout-fighting foods to their diet.
Goals of a Gout Diet:
Over the years, the term “diet” has received a negative connotation. Many have associated the term as being bad or something that is restrictive. However, a gout diet is one of those diets in which you can enjoy great tasting recipes that include most of same foods you are eating today.
The gout diet is designed to help you accomplish the following:
- Avoid some, not all, foods that contain purines
- Achieve a healthy weight
- Enjoy good eating habits
- Include foods that help to control uric acid levels
The purpose of this article is to provide you with the types of foods that will help you control your uric acid levels naturally. Check Out 100+ great tasting low-purine recipes now
In addition to enjoying a well-balanced diet to promote a healthy and active lifestyle, check out these 7 high-powered gout-fighting foods you can add to your daily diet today to avoid a gout attack.
Vegetables: A diet rich in vegetables is a vital component to good health. However, research suggests certain high purine vegetables including mushrooms, asparagus and spinach may provide an increased chance of a gout attack. Enjoy these in moderation.
Fruit: Fruit has long been the friend of those interested in reducing the risk of a gout attack. When selecting fruits to fight gout pain, chose fruit that is high in vitamin C. This includes papaya, tangerines and oranges.
Tart Cherries – The Gout Fighting Super Fruit: Over the past several years, this tiny unassuming fruit has become the go-to fruit for gout sufferers. In fact, the results of a 2010 study were presented at the European League Against Rheumatism. This study revealed participants who drank an ounce (two tablespoons) of cherry juice daily for at least four months experienced 50% less gout attacks.
In a 2012 study, people who took a tart cherry extract had fewer gout attacks as soon as two days after taking the tart cherry capsules. These findings were compared against the group that didn’t take the tart cherry capsules. For those looking for fast relief from gout, and according to the study, the tart cherry capsules worked faster than drinking the juice.
The reason the tart cherry works so well in fighting gout is due to the naturally occurring compounds found in tart cherries called anthocyanins. This natural phytochemical actually helps to dissolve uric acid crystals between the joints and helps to keep them in a liquid form so they can be excreted out of the body in the urine.
While over 350 anthocyanins exist in nature, the unique combination of these phytochemicals provides tart cherries the well-deserved reputation of being an excellent gout fighting food.
Both drinking the tart cherry juice or taking tart cherry capsules daily have been scientifically proven to help to reduce gout attacks.
Water: Drinking water daily is a wise choice for maintaining a healthy body and enjoying a healthy lifestyle. A study from 2009 further provides further encouragement to drink water daily. According the study, those who drank water 24 hours before an attack reduced their chances of a gout attack by 33%. In addition, those who drank five to eight glasses of water daily experienced a 40% reduced risk of an attack compared to those who drink just one glass daily.
Coffee: This is great news for coffee drinkers. Those who enjoy drinking coffee daily enjoy a lower risk of a gout attack for both men and women. Researchers recently published the result of two studies on coffee consumption and gout.
The first study included over 45,000 male participates over 40 years old with no history of gout. The study revealed those who drank four to five cups of coffee a day had a 40% lower risk of a gout attack. Those who drank six or more cups per day enjoyed a whooping 59% reduction in the risk of a gout attack.
The second study included 14,000 participants, both male and female, and revealed impressive results, too. According to the researchers, the more coffee both the male and women participants drank daily, the lower their uric acids levels were. However, tea seems to have no positive affect.
Dairy Products: Low-fat dairy products may help to improve the removal of uric acid from the body by urination. According to a 2009 study, those who consumed a serving or more of milk or yogurt daily enjoyed lower uric acid levels in their blood when compared to participates who didn’t consume the dairy products. Researchers believe the reason could be that milk and yogurt are naturally high in protein and low in purines. This combination may provide a protective shield against a gout attack.
Eggs: Offering an excellent source of protein and naturally low in purines make eggs the perfect food. They are a very versatile food. They can be enjoyed with salads, as a sandwich or simply hard boiled. Eggs are naturally high in protein and low in purines. Finally, they also help you to feel full longer, thus reducing your feeling of being hungry, thus helping you to actually lose weight, too.
Consuming these gout-fighting foods will strengthen the resistance against gout and allow for an overall healthier life. Always check with your doctor prior to starting a new diet routine.