A condition caused by an excess build-up of uric acid in the blood is known as gout. This uric acid later builds up excess fluid around the joints, forming uric acid crystals which lead to inflammation and joint pain, a term we refer to as gout. Although gout has been touted as a chronic condition by many in the medical community, the good news is that it can be reversed naturally. A typical intense pain and swelling of the big toe are symptoms of gout. However, you can spot the swelling on your ankles, hands, and knees as well. If the pain is too intense and affects your daily performance or productivity, you can afford to take a break from work and ask your friends or family members to help you out with your daily tasks.

Gout is also triggered by certain unhealthy lifestyle changes like crash dieting, dehydration, alcoholism, eating large portions of high-purine content foods like red meats and shellfish, consuming soda, and by drinking carbonated beverages. It is, therefore, important that you know the foods to avoid with gout.

Any foods that relieve swelling, inflammation, and prevent the excessive build-up of uric acid help treat gout or even reverse it. Here are certain foods to avoid with gout.

Beer
If you think alcohol won’t affect the issue of gout, you’re wrong. Alcohol contains brewer’s yeast, which can worsen your condition of gout. Also, beer can take a toll on your kidneys, and the organs won’t be able to excrete uric acid effectively; this can further boost the uric acid crystal formation in the body.

Seafood
For those who love their fish, we’ve got some bad news for you. Fish is high in purine, and if you’re suffering from gout, you will have to avoid it. Also, seafood items like lobster, scallops, tuna (it has high mercury level as well), mackerel, shrimp, etc. also need to be avoided. Alternatively, you can choose low-purine seafood like salmon and oyster.

Sugar-laden drinks and foods
This is another part that you need to take care of when curing gout. You will have to avoid all those fruit juices (these contain high fructose levels), canned juices, energy juices, carbonated drinks, soda, etc. if you want nothing to worsen your gout pain. Also, you’re someone who drinks coffee three times a day; then you will have to reduce your intake of coffee as well. Restrict yourself to just a cup of coffee a day, to keep the effects of gout at bay.You can include other sweetened items in your list of foods to avoid with gout as well. Also, steer clear from desserts like ice-creams, cupcakes, cakes, heavily frosted cakes, muffins, etc. as these are loaded with sugar, which can further make your gout condition worse.

Red meat
If you love animal meats and can’t resist them, then the absolute maximum you can add to your diet is no more than 4 to 6 ounces a day. You should try to avoid animal proteins as much as you can when considering the treatment of gout.So, include red meat, organ meat, beef, etc. on your list of foods to avoid with gout.

Veggies rich in purine
Vegetables rich in purine content like the mushroom, asparagus, and spinach should be completely avoided if you want to treat gout. Also, you will also have to avoid kidney beans.

Foods that can reverse gout
While there are certain foods to avoid with gout, the key element here is by following a gout-friendly diet; you can completely reverse gout and prevent sudden episodes of pain and inflammation in your joints in the future. Cherry extract and cherry juice are supposed to help to a good extent. Also, one should opt for low-fat dairy products like skim milk, and low-fat yogurt to avoid boosting the issue. The best beverage to take to prevent gout is water. Aim to drink plenty of water every day to stay hydrated, think clearly, and prevent gout.

Other methods of treating gout
If you’ve been facing sudden bouts of gout attacks, there are certain things you could do to ease or relieve the pain temporarily:

• Consume anti-inflammatory medication
• Apply ice to the joint while keeping it elevated
• Drink lots of water and other fluids (except alcohol and carbonated drinks)
• Go for regular check-ups
• Practice relaxation techniques like mindfulness meditation, and deep breathing
• Take uric acid-lowering medications like allopurinol, febuxostat, probenecid, lesinurad, and pegloticase
• Other inflammation relieving medications like corticosteroids, colchicine, and doctor-prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Treating gout is all about being aware of what it is, what you should do to treat it, and leading a healthy lifestyle, overall. Gout is best treated down the line through continuous and progressive treatment like by following a healthy diet, knowing which foods to avoid with gout, emptying the bladder every day, drinking lots of water, and exercising regularly.