Home Managing arthritis Living with arthritis Healthy eating Gout and diet

Gout and diet

Gout cannot be controlled by diet alone. The best way to control gout is taking medicine to lower uric acid levels in your blood.

Does diet cause gout?

Diet alone is rarely the cause of gout. Gout occurs when there is too much uric acid (also known as urate) in the blood. The main reason this happens is because of genetics. Many people with gout have a family history of gout – it is a condition they inherited.

This build-up of uric acid causes small urate crystals to form in your body.
Crystals in your joints can cause swelling and pain known as a gout flare (attack).

Do certain foods trigger a gout flare?
Yes, some foods high in purines may trigger a flare. Purines are chemicals found naturally in the body and in many foods we eat and drink. Our bodies turn some purines into uric acid.

Tracking your diet and the timing of your gout flares can help identify potential food triggers.

Myth: I can control gout with diet changes alone.

Fact: Diet alone cannot control gout. While some people may find reducing intake of high-purine foods can lower uric acid levels by a small amount, most patients will still have to take medicines to control their gout and prevent future flares.

Myth: Gout is caused by drinking alcohol.

Fact: People who do not drink alcohol are still diagnosed with gout. If you have gout, alcohol may trigger a flare, but it is not the sole cause.

Myth: I should stop eating fruit because it’s high in fructose

Fact: Fructose is a natural sugar found in fruits. Continue eating fruit because it is good for your health and is packed with nutrients, antioxidants and fibre. You should limit drinks high in fructose such as non-diet soft drinks. Also, limit fruit juices where fructose is highly concentrated.

Examples of foods and drinks that can increase uric acid levels in the body:

Red Meat: Beef, lamb, pork, goat, veal

Alcohol: Beer and Spirits

Seafood (especially shellfish)

Fructose sweetened drinks

What can I do to lower my risk of gout flares?

Take your medicines as directed by your doctor. Prepare a gout plan with your doctor to target uric acid levels and manage flares.

Drink water. Stay hydrated to reduce the concentration of uric acid in your blood.

Reducing alcohol intake. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. All alcohol can increase your risk of a flare.

Consult a dietitian. A dietitian can give you personalised dietary advice to help you maintain a healthy weight.

Quality Use of Medicines Alliance

Helping consumers and health professionals make safe and wise decisions about medicines and diagnostics. Funded by the Australian Government through the Quality Use of Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Pathology Program.

Gout and Diet Fact Sheet

Download

Gout and diet

Gout cannot be controlled by diet alone. The best way to control gout is taking medicine to lower uric acid levels in your blood.

Examples of foods and drinks that can increase uric acid levels in the body:

Red Meat: Beef, lamb, pork, goat, veal

Alcohol: Beer and Spirits

Seafood (especially shellfish)

Fructose sweetened drinks

What can I do to lower my risk of gout flares?

Discover more...

10 steps for living well with arthritis

Advocacy & policy

Children and arthritis

Gout and diet

Gout cannot be controlled by diet alone. The best way to control gout is taking medicine to lower uric acid levels in your blood.

Examples of foods and drinks that can increase uric acid levels in the body:

Red Meat: Beef, lamb, pork, goat, veal

Alcohol: Beer and Spirits

Seafood (especially shellfish)

Fructose sweetened drinks

What can I do to lower my risk of gout flares?

Discover more...

10 steps for living well with arthritis

Advocacy & policy

Children and arthritis

Sign up to Arthritis Insights