What foods are beneficial for gout?

Gout is a type of arthritis that can cause swelling and pain in your joints due to a buildup of uric acid. Gout usually affects the big toe but can also affect other joints, such as your ankles, fingers, and knees. 

Certain foods that are high in uric acid may worsen your symptoms, but there are also some foods that may be particularly beneficial if you have gout.

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Diet and gout

You can manage and treat gout with medication and any necessary lifestyle changes. These lifestyle changes may include certain foods that can help prevent future flares of gout and reduce your symptoms. 

Some 2021 research suggests that certain diets are especially good for gout by reducing the levels of urate in your blood. This includes the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) eating plan, which is high in:

• vegetables
• fruits
• nuts
• legumes
• low fat dairy
• whole grains

Foods to try if you have gout

If you have gout, there are several foods you can try to incorporate more of to help with your condition. The recommended foods are generally part of a healthy, balanced diet, so they’re good to include regardless of whether they reduce your urate levels.

Vegetables

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMSD) recommends people with gout eat plenty of vegetables. Vegetables can add fiber to your diet and help prevent gout flare-ups. 

More research is necessary, but vitamin C may help lower uric acid levels. Eating vitamin C-rich vegetables may be especially helpful. Some examples include:

• cabbage
• broccoli
• Brussels sprouts
• cauliflower 

Cherries and other fruits

There is some evidence, including a 2019 research review, that eating cherries may improve gout symptoms.

In the included studies, people regularly drinking cherry extract or juice had fewer gout flare-ups. You may need to consume cherries or cherry juice often to get the benefits. 

Fruits rich in vitamin C and low sugar fruits, such as blueberries and strawberries, could also be a helpful addition to your diet. 

Low fat dairy 

The calcium and vitamin D in low fat dairy products like yogurt, cheese, and milk may help with gout. 

Some 2022 research suggests that eating low fat dairy products may lower uric acid levels. The NIAMSD also recommends including low or fat-free dairy to manage gout symptoms. 

Whole grains 

Whole grains such as oats, quinoa, and brown rice are high in fiber and are a “gout-friendly” food.

Whole grains are a key part of the DASH eating plan and a Mediterranean diet, both of which are recommended for people with gout.

Foods to avoid with gout 

Some foods, such as a diet high in red and processed meat, sweet foods, and refined grains, may make gout worse. 

If you have gout, limiting the following foods may be helpful. 

Foods high in purine

Eating foods rich in purine can cause high levels of uric acid. The body breaks purine down into uric acid.

Foods high in purine include:

• organ meat
• red meat
• some types of seafood, such as sardines, scallops, and trout

Alcohol

If you have gout, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests limiting your alcohol intake. Beer and hard liquor can be especially unhelpful for people with gout. 

Alcohol can increase uric acid levels and may trigger gout flare-ups. Alcoholic drinks are high in purines.

Foods high in fructose

Fructose is a type of sugar. The Arthritis Foundation recommends that people with gout avoid consuming many high fructose foods.

Foods high in fructose include:

• soda
• cookies and cakes
• honey
• fruit juices
• some cereals

Refined carbohydrates and ultra-processed foods

Refined carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries, and ultra-processed foods like french fries, can be unhelpful for gout. Some 2024 research suggests that these foods can increase your risk of developing gout.

Medical treatment for gout  

A doctor may offer medication to help you manage gout. Some medications could include:

• Anti-inflammatory medications: You can often get anti-inflammatory medications over the counter (OTC) from a pharmacy. These medications can help reduce swelling and pain. Examples include ibuprofen (Advil).
• Colchicine (Colcrys): Colchicine is a medication that helps with gout pain. It may be most effective when taken as soon as your symptoms appear. 
• Corticosteroids: Corticosteroids can help with your pain and reduce any joint damage. Your doctor may inject this medication directly into your joint, or you may take it by mouth. One example is prednisone (Rayos).
• Medications to lower uric acid levels: Certain medications can lower the amount of uric acid in your body. These medications can include: 
  • uricosuric agents to help the kidneys remove uric acid from your body
  • xanthine oxidase inhibitors to stop your body from producing uric acid

A doctor can help you find the right medication options for you. 

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Online care for gout attacks

Alongside monitoring your diet, seeking the proper treatment can also help manage gout flare-ups.

Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.

Note that you need a previous gout diagnosis to access online care for gout.

Summary

No specific diet can completely cure gout. But eating a healthy diet can help you manage symptoms and prevent future flare-ups. 

Foods that can help with gout include vegetables, fruits such as cherries, low fat dairy, and whole grains. Foods to limit when you have gout include red meat, certain seafood, alcohol, and sugary and ultra-processed foods.

By managing your diet, you can help reduce your gout flare-ups and start to feel better.

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