Adopting a gout diet limits the production of uric acid by the body. This would imply reducing the intake of foods that have a high purine content. Animal products usually contain a considerable amount of purine. This particular diet also calls for the limit of alcohol intake with the exception of some wine which might be beneficial to the health. Another element of the gout diet is the intake of plenty of fluids in order to help the body in flushing out uric acid from the organism. The components of the diet are broken down below.
Limit Animal Proteins
As mentioned earlier animal products are rich in purine which leads to the overproduction of uric acid. Organ meats, anchovies and red meats in general would need to be avoided. Some fatty fishes such as tuna are also not recommended.
Cut Back on Fat
Saturated fats hinder the body’s ability to drain out uric acid. The gout diet requires the consumption of fat-free dairy products and natural proteins obtained from plants and legumes. Fat is also linked to obesity which in turn is linked to gout. Therefore a sustained weight loss is recommended.
Avoid alcohol
Beer in particular is not recommended in the gout diet as alcohol in the body interferes with the elimination of uric acid out of the body. During an attack the patient should avoid all alcohol.
Drinking water
Water has the ability to remove toxins out of the body. Drinking plenty of water would also drain out uric acid. About 8 to 16 glasses of water per day is recommended. Coffee has also been proven to help lower the risk of gout.