What Are the Best Foods to Eat and Avoid If You Have Excess Uric Acid?
Individuals with high uric acid levels should drink plenty of fluids, particularly water, and eat a diet high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables. These individuals also should limit or avoid meat, poultry, fish, high-fat foods, alcohol, and foods with high-fructose corn syrup, according to Mayo Clinic.
A person’s body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines; therefore, individuals with high uric acid levels should also avoid foods with purines, such as organ meats, anchovies, herring, mackerel, asparagus and mushrooms, reports Mayo Clinic. Those who choose to eat meat, poultry or fish should limit intake to 4 to 6 ounces of lean cuts. Additionally, some studies show that including low-fat or fat-free dairy products can reduce uric acid levels. Low-fat dressings and condiments as well as coffee and tea are also acceptable on such a diet.
High levels of uric acid in a person’s body can cause gout, a painful form of arthritis that occurs when uric acid forms into crystals in the blood and accumulates around a joint, according to Mayo Clinic.Those experiencing a gout attack should avoid all alcohol. When a gout attack is not in progress, drinking one or two 5-ounce servings of wine per day is acceptable.
