Foods to avoid due to the risk of painful gout attacks

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One of the painful manifestations of gout is an exacerbation of inflammation in the big toe.

Gout is a type of arthritis characterized by severe, sudden attacks of inflammation in the joints. Such attacks often occur in the big toe, but can also affect the ankles, knees, elbows, and wrists. Typically, a sudden attack of gout causes severe pain, swelling, and redness in the affected joint.

In an interview, rheumatologist Theodore Fields said that certain foods can trigger painful gout attacks. In particular, Dr. Field explained that people with a genetic predisposition to gout should avoid foods rich in purines from their dinner. In addition, it is important to generally control their amount in the diet.

Foods rich in purines include:

• Offal, such as liver and kidneys.
• Red meat, beef, and pork.
• Clams, mussels, scallops, oysters.

When purines are broken down, the body's content of urates – uric acid salts – increases. Accumulating in the blood, they crystallize around the joint and, by their effect, cause pain, provoke exacerbation of inflammation in it. Also, the level of urates in the blood increases due to the consumption and breakdown of alcohol (in any form).

Doctor Fields added that people with reduced kidney function, for example, due to high blood pressure or diabetes, are prone to gout. Obesity and metabolic syndrome, chronic heart failure also increase the risk of its development.