Dangerous foods that can cause gout or arthritis

To control your uric acid level, you need to follow a specific diet and especially avoid foods responsible for increasing uric acid levels. 

We will tell you which foods you should be careful with in order to control the balance of this substance and maintain your well-being.

Uric acid, if present in large amounts in the blood, leads to arthritis or gout.

When it accumulates in the joint fluid, uric acid causes inflammation and pain. The fingers and ankles are mostly affected.

Some foods are high in purines, elements that increase the level of uric acid in the blood. 

Therefore, a blood test and a balanced diet are the most effective ways to prevent this problem.

List of dangerous products

1 seafood

Some foods are high in purines. 

Therefore, if you have high uric acid levels, it pays to eat them in moderation. 

These include the following seafood: crabs, shrimps, oysters, clams, mussels.

These foods should be avoided in any form, fresh, canned, smoked, as they increase the level of uric acid in the blood.

2 Red meat

This is another product that contributes the most to its level. 

If you have high uric acid levels, you should eliminate it from your diet entirely. 

Pork and beef also contain a high percentage of purines, especially if they are very fatty. 

In addition, offal, meat extracts, minced meat, kidneys are dangerous.

3 Legumes

Lentils, peas and beans are high in purines, so people with high uric acid levels should limit their intake to once or twice a week.

4 Vegetables

Certain vegetables should also be eaten in moderation, including asparagus, mushrooms, cauliflower, spinach, radishes and leeks.

5 Alcoholic beverages

Beer is more harmful to people with high uric acid than seafood and meat.

This is due to the fact that it increases the production of this compound in the body and makes it difficult to eliminate it. 

Experts recommend avoiding beer if you suffer from gout.

6 Sugary drinks and sweet pastries

Soft drinks and commercial fruit juices that contain corn syrup also stimulate uric acid production. 

Also, the problem is increased by sweets, pastries, bakery products, especially if they contain a lot of sugar.

7 Coffee

Adjust the amount of coffee you consume daily. 

Excessive amounts can be harmful, so it’s best to limit yourself to one cup a day.

Uric acid: symptoms of a high level

When uric acid levels are very high, problems such as gout and kidney stones can occur, the most common symptoms of which are:

Pain in the big toe Intense pain and inflammation in the joints.

Difficulty urinating

Tachycardia

Knee pain

Kidney stones

Fatigue

Sharp acid crystals may appear in the joints

Your doctor should do a full examination to see if you have a problem and prescribe treatment, which should include dietary changes in the first place.

Joint pain is uncomfortable, but you can take steps to ease the problem, such as applying cold compresses to sore joints.

The duration of treatment can be from 6 to 12 months.

During this period, you should take care of your diet and maintain physical activity. 

Light but regular exercise is ideal, in moderation but regularly.

* The materials are for informational purposes only . 

Remember that self-medication is life-threatening, consult your doctor for advice on the use of any drugs and methods of treatment.