Gout is a type of arthritis. It occurs when uric acid is accumulated around joints. Gout is identified by severe pain, swelling, redness, and tenderness in the joints. Even though gout is a commonly occurring issue that can affect anyone, it is important to remember certain dietary habits that can help people suffering from this painful condition.

Simple changes, such as avoiding specific foods and including more vegetables and greens can improve overall health and assure a gout-free lifestyle. Below are the dietary tips for people suffering from frequent gout issues.

Avoid Alcohol
Alcohol is a sure exclusion for people having gout. Even though alcohol is considered to work as a relaxant, drinking alcohol causes the kidneys to eliminate alcohol instead of uric acid. This leads to an increased amount of uric acid in the bloodstream, which could lead to higher chances of a gout attack.

Avoid meats and seafood high in Purine
The purine present in the food gets converted to uric acid in our kidneys. When foods that contain purine are ingested, the uric acid levels spike up in our bloodstream and the excess gets deposited in the joints of our body causing gout attacks. Red meats from pork, lamb, and beef are to be avoided. Organ meats such as liver, kidneys, lungs, and sweetbreads have high purine levels and should be avoided. Seafood such as anchovies, sardines, shellfish, and tuna have high levels of purine are to be avoided.

Avoid sugary foods and beverages
Foods that are high in fructose when digested release purines which in turn produce excess uric acid which can potentially enter the bloodstream and the joints causing painful episodes of gout. Foods that have refined carbohydrates such as white bread, candy, pastries, refined sugar, sugary beverages Moreover, avoiding sugary drinks and foods can boost overall health and immunity.

Include Vegetable proteins
Lentils, beans, and peas are natural sources of rich protein which do not increase the levels of uric acid in the body. They are excellent replacements of red meat and organ meats for the protein content found in them.

Include Vitamin C
Fruits like oranges, grapes, lemon, strawberries, grapefruit and pineapple help decrease the levels of uric acid in our body.

Drink the right amount of water
Water is a natural cleanser. Drinking about 15-18 glasses of water, everyday flushes out uric acid from the body and maintains the overall hydration level of the body. A well-hydrated body is one of the key aspects of detox in every level of the body.

Include Milk and Yogurt
Milk and yogurt contain essential proteins that eliminate excess uric acid from the body even though they do not reduce the uric acid levels in the body. Consuming low-fat milk, low-fat cheese, and low-fat yogurt can get rid of the uric acid deposited in the joints and in the bloodstream. Low-fat dairy products are preferred over normal ones as an increase in body weight can trigger gout attacks.