The Gout Diet: Exactly What To Eat If You Have This Painful Form Of Arthritis

Once called "the disease of kings," gout has certainty spread beyond the castle walls. More than 8.3 million Americans1 suffer from this painful form of arthritis, and that number has been steadily growing. While gout is often associated with an overindulgent lifestyle, doctors now understand it can be caused by both genetic and lifestyle factors2. Luckily, there are many natural remedies and diet modifications you can make to reduce your risk or manage your symptoms. Here, we break down what's behind this debilitating disease and how to eat (and not eat) for relief.

Suffering from gout or worried you may be at risk? Not to worry, there are many things you can do to reduce uric acid levels in your body and ward off further attacks. 

"If you eat a lot of high-purine foods, you will likely have higher levels of uric acid stored in your body," he says. "The easiest way to keep your levels down is to limit or avoid high-purine foods such as fatty meats, oily fish, and most alcohol." 

The following medium-purine foods should be limited to 4 to 6 ounces per day:

The following high-purine foods should be drastically reduced or avoided altogether:

While avoiding purine-rich food and other triggers will help manage symptoms, medication may still be necessary to prevent the development of tophi and joint damage.  

Beyond food, you also need to watch what you drink when it comes to gout. Alcohol, especially beer9, has been shown to increase the risk of developing gout as well as trigger flare-ups. Drinking as little as two beers per day can more than double the risk of developing gout. In addition to being a rich source of purines, beer and other alcoholic beverages lead to decreased uric acid excretion, inducing hypouricemia. Some research, however, suggests that wine is generally less likely to cause gout flare-ups.

One of the major risk factors for gout, in addition to cardiovascular disease, is being overweight or obese. Following a gout-friendly diet can help you manage gout symptoms and manage your weight, reducing risk for other chronic diseases. Here's what to include in a heart-healthy and gout-friendly diet. 

In addition to healthy lifestyle changes, there are some specific foods and natural remedies that can help reduce inflammation and tame gout symptoms. With supplements, always be sure to check with your doctor first to make sure they won't interact with your current medications.

This herb is known to be a natural remedy for all types of arthritis, including gout. This may be due to stinging nettle's strong anti-inflammatory properties, which can help ease the swelling and pain associated with a gout attack. Studies have shown that stinging nettle suppresses joint inflammation in those suffering from arthritic diseases. Try stinging nettle tea to calm inflammation.  

Tart cherries may just be one of the healthiest fruits out there. This delicious, vibrant fruit is chock-full of anthocyanins, a strong anti-inflammatory phytochemical that can help with joint pain and gout. They may even be as effective as NSAIDs 11at providing relief from inflammation. Along with being anti-inflammatory, tart cherries have been shown to reduce uric acid in the body. In one study, eating just 10 cherries a day12 helped prevent recurrent gout symptoms by 50 percent. Tart cherry juice is likely just as effective. 

Typically known for its immune-boosting properties, vitamin C may also help with gout. This is due to the vitamin's uricosuric effects, meaning it lowers uric acid levels in the body. In one study, high vitamin C intake was associated with a 45 percent lower risk of gout13. But positive results were seen with supplementation as low as 500 mg per day. So, try adding a vitamin C supplement to your routine or upping your intake with one of these seven delicious vitamin C-rich foods.

If you like to start your day with a cup of joe, you're in luck. Studies have found that coffee consumption can increase uric acid excretion2. Study participants who drank 4 to 5 cups per day had a 40 percent lower risk of developing gout, and those who drank more than 6 cups per day had a whopping 60 percent lower risk. Can't take all that caffeine? Interestingly, decaffeinated coffee had a similar effect. Researchers believe this is due to the strong antioxidant properties of coffee. So, no matter which way you take your coffee, you can reap the benefits. 

Although gout is no longer thought of as a "disease of kings," it is true that overindulgence, especially in red meat and alcohol can increase risk and exacerbate symptoms. Whether you are looking to reduce your risk of developing gout or stave off future attacks, simple lifestyle modifications can make a big difference.