Foods High in Uric Acid

High uric acid levels or hyperuricemia can lead to development and aggravation of diseases such as gout.  They also result in the joint deformation and kidney damage along with diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).  While there are other causes for excess uric acid formation in the body, diet may also be an important factor for increased level of uric acids.  The purines in food break down to form uric acid during digestion.  So when people susceptible to excess uric acid production, intake of foods high in purine results in hyperuricemia.  Here is a list of the foods high in uric acid.

Meat.  All meat products especially sweetbreads and organ meats such as livers and hearts have the highest level of purines and are therefore the most likely culprits of disorders caused by high uric levels.  While animal meats or the "red meats" such as beef, pork and seafoods should be completely avoided, "white meats" such as poultry can be eaten in moderate amounts.  Processed meat such as bacon is very high in purines and therefore a strict no-no for the people suffering from gout.  Eggs contain low levels of purine and should be limited to three to four a week.

Yeast.  Foods which contain yeast such as breads, beer and alcohol beverages, contain high amount of uric acid.  Alcohol in particular is known to hamper the renal excretion in the kidneys, thus resulting in high levels of uric acid.

Seafood.  Seafood such as sardines, trout, ocean perch, anchovies, herring, halibut, salmon, scallops, mussels, codfish and shrimp have high levels of purine.  Fish eggs, also called roe or caviar, are high in purine.  Fish and seafood not previously listed contain moderate amounts of purine.  This include tuna, salmon and lobster.

Lentils.  It is advisable to eat legumes such as dried beans in moderate amounts to control the levels of uric acid.

Vegetables.  Vegetables like asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms and spinach are also moderate purine foods containing 9-100 mg purine in 100 g food.

Soups and Sauces.  Any extract made from meat is high in purine including broth, consomme and bouillon.  Gravy will also be high in purine.  For a low purine soup, choose one that is not made with a beef or chicken broth.

Grains.  A number of grains contain moderate amounts of purine.  This include oats and oatmeal cereals, wheat germ and bran.  Any cereal or bread marketed as whole grain will also have moderate purine levels.  However, your doctor or dietitian may suggest that you continue eating whole grain foods as the benefits may outweigh any risk from the purine content.  Breads, cereals and pasta made with refined white flour will be low in purine.

Caffeine.  Intake of caffeine found in coffee, tea, beans and leaves of many plants is known to increase the uric acid levels and aggravate conditions of gout.  Instead, try the decaffeinated coffee which actually helps reduce uric acid levels.

In addition to these, people prone to having high uric levels should also avoid some acid-forming foods such as processed syrups, packaged fruit juices, sauces, commercial pickles and artificial sweeteners.

Researchers from Harvard found that despite the purine content of dairy foods, consuming them might decrease uric acid levels.  Published in "Arthritis and Rheumatism" in 2007, the study found those who drank milk one or more times a day or ate yogurt every other day had lower serum uric acid levels.  

To help your body eliminate uric acid, be sure to drink 8 to 16 cups of water per day.  Alcohol, especially beer, has been associated with gout attacks according to MayoClinic.com.  Alcohol interferes with your body's ability to eliminate uric acid.