Foods That Raise Uric Acid Levels and May Trigger Gout

You must have had someone in your family or friends suffering from gout. Gout is a painful type of arthritis caused by the high levels of uric acid or hyperuricemia in your body. People who suffer from gout are often advised to have a diet low in uric acid.

What is Uric Acid

Uric acid is a byproduct of purines (nitrogen compounds) in your body, which are present in every cell of your body as well as in many foods. Normally, uric acid gets dissolved in your blood and gets excreted by your kidneys in the form of urine.

However, if your body overproduces uric acid or if your kidneys fail to remove uric acid efficiently from your blood, uric acid starts building up in your blood. This eventually leads to uric acid crystals forming in your joints, resulting in the pain of gout. They can also form kidney stones.

It may also cause heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, fatty liver disease among other ailments.

As per the USDA and National Institutes of Health Database for Purine Content of Foods (2025), the highest purine content is found in animal-based foods, specifically organ meats, and the lowest content is found in dairy products, eggs, grains, fruits, and most vegetables.

It is important to drink lot of water and make certain changes in your diet by knowing about foods that raise uric acid levels to protect your joints and kidneys.

Organ Meats
Organ meats should be cut down drastically if you have high uric acid. Organ meats like liver, kidneys etc. are rich in purines, which get converted into uric acid in the body.

Chicken liver, as indicated by the USDA purine database, has a high uric acid content, and this means that your body will have to work extra hard to process it.

No matter how well you prepare and consume them, organ meats are not safe to eat on a regular basis if you are trying to regulate your uric acid levels.

Red Meat
Beef, pork, bacon etc. also contain variable purine content. While not as bad as organ meats, eating red meat regularly has been shown to increase uric acid levels and the risk of gout.

Research conducted on the elderly population in Indonesia revealed that those who ate beef, organ meat, and meat broth daily or 3-6 times a week demonstrated a substantial rise in blood uric acid levels.

So, exercise moderation than stopping the consumption altogether.

Seafood
Seafood is confusing here. Fish is generally considered healthy, but certain types of fish are extremely high in purines, which can trigger gout attacks. Anchovies, sardines, mackerel, herring, scallops, mussels etc. fall in this category.

But not all types of seafood are to be avoided. Lower-purine alternatives such as salmon, in moderation, is a safe option.

Alcohol
Alcohol impacts your uric acid levels in many ways as some types of alcohol like beer are high in purines and alcohol hinders your kidneys' function of uric acid excretion, leading to hyperuricemia. While wine is considered less problematic, it is still important to drink it in moderation.

If you are having recurring attacks or are finding it difficult to control your uric acid levels, it should be your number one priority to cut down or completely stop consuming alcohol.

Sugary Drinks
Sodas, sweet tea, energy drinks, fruit punches, and other sugar-sweetened drinks, which have high fructose corn syrup are some of the biggest contributors to hyperuricemia.

Research has shown a clear correlation between sugar-sweetened beverages and the onset of gout and uric acid. Your liver metabolizes fructose, producing purines, which then turn into uric acid.

Label reading becomes crucial at this point. Many foods that you wouldn’t normally suspect of containing high fructose corn syrup or high amounts of sugar do. Consuming water, unsweetened tea, or coffee can cause a dramatic shift in your uric acid levels.

Turkey and Chicken
Poultry, particularly turkey, has very high purine level. This baffles those who changed their diet from beef to turkey in an effort to make a healthier choice regarding their gout.

Processed deli turkey is even more problematic, as it could contain additional ingredients that would further exacerbate the issue. If you are determined to continue eating poultry, then it is likely that chicken breast is a better alternative to turkey or chicken thighs with skin.

The lesson to be learned from this is that lean does not mean low in purines" Individual protein sources need to be evaluated for purine content if you are trying to regulate your uric acid.

Beyond Diet

Weight loss can also work wonders in regulating your uric acid levels. Even a small amount of weight loss has been shown to decrease uric acid levels and attacks of gout. However, extreme weight loss strategies or fasting are not advisable, as they can trigger gout attacks because of the sudden spike in uric acid levels.

Undoubtedly, diet is the key in managing uric acid levels, but there are other factors involved. Genetics, kidney disease, certain medications, obesity, and other health conditions all impact uric acid levels.

Some people can eat a diet that is could be relatively high in purines and never have a problem, while others have problems despite not eating such stuff.

If you are having frequent attacks of gout or high uric acid levels in spite of making changes in your diet, do not be disheartened. Many people need to take medications in addition to changes in their diet to keep their condition under control. Dietary changes and medications work well together.

To prevent hyperuricemia, follow a personalized diet and exercise plan tailored for your health. Cut back on high-purine foods and drinks and o keep uric acid levels in check and boost overall wellness.

Consult your doctor to know which foods to eat or not eat and how much to have. The good news is that most people can lower their uric acid attacks and protect their joints and kidneys by making healthy food choices.

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment options.