While many of us put our best efforts forward when it comes to taking care of ourselves as far as eating a healthy diet, getting daily exercise, and adequate amounts of sleep, we cannot always be sure that we won’t develop certain diseases.
However, diet is something within our control, and the types of food we consume can contribute to the development as well as the prevention of chronic conditions, like gout. Gout is a type of painful arthritis that occurs when uric acid levels build up in the blood is so high that it causes uric acid crystals to form and accumulate around a joint. Obviously, joint pain and inflammation are the main symptoms of gout.
If gout runs in your family, or if you already have been diagnosed with gout, there are certain foods that can help prevent high uric acid levels and also reduce the painful symptoms of gouty arthritis. In particular, low purine foods. Purine is a chemical naturally found in the body and also consumed via external sources. When purine breaks down, it supports the formation of uric acid, which is typically eliminated through urine. However, in gout patients, too many purine-containing foods in the diet should be avoided. Instead, stick to these vitamin and nutrient rich foods that also help control uric acid levels and reduce inflammation:
- Berries
Adding a colorful array of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries to your diet can prove extremely helpful if you also suffer from gout. Blueberries and strawberries in particular are rich in anti-inflammatory properties that preventing high uric acid buildup in blood.
- Apples
The bountiful amounts of malic acid in apples helps neutralize uric acid in the blood. This will provide relief to patients who are suffering from a high uric acid contributing gout flare ups.
- Cherries
Studies show that uric acid levels can be reduced in the blood with the consumption of cherries. These berries contain anti-inflammatory properties, or anthocyanins, which work to prevent the crystallization of uric acid and it’s accumulation around joints.
- Fruits high in vitamin C
Examples of vitamin c rich foods are kiwi, guava, lemon, grapefruit, and oranges, all of which help disintegrate uric acid and flush it out of the body.
- High-fiber foods
Food with high dietary fiber can absorb excess uric acid from the bloodstream and help in their elimination through kidneys. Some examples are oats, celery, carrots, barley, etc.
