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Purine Content of Foods

Gout is a form of arthritis that strikes when uric acid causes crystals to form in the joints. Your body produces excess uric acid when it tries to break down foods that are high in purines, according to the Mayo Clinic.

  1. Identification

    • Purines are organic compounds that occur naturally in the body. People also take in purines when they eat certain foods that are rich in the compound.

    Expert Insight

    • Doctors recommend you stay away from foods that contain more than 400mg of purines per 100 grams and be careful with anything that has more than 100mg of purines, according to GoutPal.com.

    Warning

    • The foods that contain the most purine include brewer's yeast (1810mg), meat from internal organs such as liver (250 to 550mg), some mushrooms (488mg) and oily fish like sardines (480mg).

    Prevention/Solution

    • While suffering from a gout attack, the best foods to eat include fruits and vegetables. The best of these include cucumbers (7.3mg), tomatoes (11mg), pears (12mg) and lettuce (13mg). For protein, people should eat low-fat dairy such yogurts and cheese (less than 10mg) and most nuts (less than 25mg).

    Considerations

    • Most lean, red meats and sausages are considered on the borderline and should only be eaten moderately. Alcohol should be avoided as well, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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