7 Uric acid food to avoid

Uric acid is a chemical waste product generated from the digestion of foodstuffs that contain purines. Purines are chemicals that are naturally found in some foods at high levels, such as:

• Meat like red meat and organ meats
• Seafood like anchovies and sardines
• Alcohol and beer

Purines are also formed naturally and broken down in the human body. This leads to the collection of uric acid, which is why you develop the need to look for Uric acid food to avoid. Usually, the human body filters out uric acid through the kidneys and passes it out in the urine. Further, this blog will help you understand the foods that trigger gout.

What can be the reasons for the collection of uric acid in the body?

A high uric acid level often occurs when your kidneys do not eliminate uric acid efficiently. Uric acid can naturally be collected in your body, and some of these reasons for the collection of this compound can be:

• Genetics disorder
• Obesity or being overweight
• Strong Immune-suppressing drugs
• Drinking too much alcohol and beer
• The inability of the kidneys to filter waste or renal insufficiency
• Purine-rich food such as mushrooms, dried beans, and peas.
• Other foods like game meat, anchovies, sardines, and meat gravy.

An average uric acid level is under 6.8 mg. A high uric acid level or above 6.8 mg is known as hyperuricemia. Gout disease causes swelling in joints and painful joints. Hyperuricemia can make your blood contaminated with urine acidic.

For instance – If you ingest too much purine-rich food in your diet, or if your body cannot get rid of this by-product fast enough, then uric acid can build up in your blood. If there is a collection of too much uric acid in your body, it can lead to the occurrence of hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia conditions can cause uric acid (or urate) crystals to form. These crystals can accumulate in the joints and lead to pain like gout and arthritis. These crystals can also lie in the kidneys and form kidney stones.

What can you do to lower the level of uric acid in the body?

You can limit the food source in your diet that triggers high uric acid levels. You should avoid purine-rich foods or reduce your intake of foods that include some types of meat, seafood, fruit, and vegetables. All of these foodstuffs give off uric acid when digested in high quantities.

Uric acid food to avoid –

#1 Sugary foodstuffs

The high uric acid collection is directly linked with the level of proteins. Fructose is another compound linked with the collection of uric acid. It is a natural sugar that is found in honey and fruits. The body breaks average glucose into fructose and releases the level of purines, which further increases uric acid levels. You should avoid taking or adding different types of sugars to foodstuffs, including table sugar, corn syrup, and high fructose corn syrup. You should avoid taking high-fructose products like ice cream, candy, and fast food to maintain the level of uric acid in the body.

Take the following steps to lower the amount of sugar you ingest with these steps:

• Eat more whole foods.
• Limit processed, packaged foods.
• Check food labels for added sugars.
• Quench sugar cravings with fresh fruit.

#2 Sugary beverages

Sugary beverages such as soda drinks and fresh fruit juices often contain high sugar. The fructose in beverages is absorbed faster than sugars in whole foods because beverages don’t have fiber, protein, or other nutrients. According to research studies, it is found that faster absorption of refined sugars may increase your blood sugar levels and lead to higher amounts of uric acid. It would help if you replaced sugary drinks with:

• Water
• Sparkling water
• Unsweetened herbal lemon tea or green tea
• Coffee or black coffee without added sugar

#3 Alcohol

Alcoholic drinks are high in purines. Alcohol and beer prevent your kidneys from eliminating uric acid, pulling it back into your body, where it accumulates. 

#4 Poultry Meat

Poultry meat is essential in fulfilling the demand for high-quality animal protein and food security. You can also avoid eating meat, including chickens, turkeys, geese, and ducks.

#5 Meat, including gravy and meat sauces

Avoid meat products, including gravy and meat sauces. You can also avoid intake of meat like red meat, beef, lamb, pork, and bacon and organ meats like chicken liver.

#6 Seafood

Avoid eating seafood like anchovies, fish, shellfish, and sardines.

#7 Purine-rich vegetables

Legumes are a class of vegetables and are excellent protein sources. Avoid extra eating of legumes, including beans, peas, mushrooms, and lentils.

Also, Read Tips to cure uric acid or gout naturally.

What health condition leads to high uric acid levels?

Certain health conditions can also lead to high uric acid levels in the body:

• Kidney disease
• Diabetes mellitus
• Hypothyroidism is when the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough thyroid hormone.
• Heart disease
• Some types of cancers or chemotherapy
• Psoriasis skin disease includes inflamed, dry skin, rash, and silvery scales.

Remember that a low-purine diet can prevent complications and symptoms of the above health conditions. 

What foods and beverages should be included in your diet to control uric acid levels?

A low-purine diet can be very healthy and effectively lower uric acid levels in your blood. A low-purine diet can prevent complications and symptoms of the disease, gout, or kidney stones.

Foods and beverages to consume daily include:

• Drink fluid – You can drink fluids, especially 8-10 glasses of water, to lower uric acid levels in the body. Drinking one cup of coffee or other healthy drink like green tea daily can reduce uric acid levels.
• Consume low-fat or fat-free dairy – You can consume low-fat or fat-free dairy products like soya milk and rice milk. These products contain more protein and half the calories, fats, and carbohydrates. Rice milk is made from rice and water. It also has less protein and fat.
• Eat whole grains – To control blood sugar, you can enjoy whole grains, such as oats, brown rice, and barley.
• Eat fresh fruits – You can eat fruits that help to control blood sugar and lower uric acid levels, such as – Guavas, Kiwi, papayas, and berries.
• Eat low-protein vegetables – You can eat vegetables that help to lower uric acid levels, such as – sweet potatoes, cucumber, yellow peppers, lettuce, pumpkin, and celery.

What medication helps to reduce uric acid production?

Your doctor may prescribe some medication that helps to reduce uric acid production, such as – 

• Allopurinol (Aloprim, Zyloprim) reduces uric acid production.
• Febuxostat (Uloric) reduces uric acid production.

Also, Read How To Control Uric Acid By Adopting A Uric Acid Diet Menu.

Faqs–

What causes high uric acid levels or gout?

A high uric acid level generally develops when your kidneys do not remove uric acid properly. 

What food should I avoid if I have gout?

You should avoid consuming Sugary drinks & beverages, Different forms of meats, seafood, alcohol, and beer.

Which fruits help to lower uric acid levels?

You can eat Grapefruit, oranges, pineapples, strawberries, and other vitamin c rich fruits to lower your uric acid levels. The diet is also helpful in preventing gout attacks.

Conclusion –

Now that you know- Uric acid food to avoid- you must be aware of the diet plan you need to make in the future. Diet, exercise, hydration, a bit of change in lifestyle, etc., brings possible changes in the correction or the treatment of any illness. It is not always necessary that you take medicines. However, it is advisable to consult the doctor before you take any medications. Suppose you have a schedule with the right combination of green vegetables, healthy meals, and the inclusion of exercise. In that case, you can then quickly lower the uric acid level in your body. You can keep a list of the food that is needed to be avoided, and that is required to be eaten. You can either choose to make weekly plans for your diet. Various online applications help track the number of nutrients you have taken the whole day.