Uric acid, a bodily waste product, can cause a painful condition known as gout if the body produces it in excess. Gout occurs when needle-like uric acid crystals lodge in the joints, most often in the big toe, and cause redness, swelling and frequently severe pain. Uric acid is produced by the body and also occurs as a byproduct from the breakdown of purines, which are found in many foods. A number of foods contain high amounts of purines and should be avoided by people with high serum uric acid levels or with a tendency to develop gout.
Meats
Many meats, particularly organ meats, contain high levels of purines. These include beef kidneys, brains, heart, liver and sweetbreads, and the thymus gland and pancreas of calves, lambs, cattle or pigs. Game meats such as duck, goose, partridge and venison also contain large amounts of purines. Mincemeat made from beef suet, bacon, veal, meat gravies, bouillon and consommé also have large amounts of purines. Meats with medium amounts of purines include all other beef products, poultry and pork.
Fish
A number of fish contain high levels of purines, including anchovies, cod, haddock, herring, mackerel, mussels, sardines, shrimp, smelt and scallops. Fish eggs, called roe, also have high purine levels.
Vegetables and Legumes
Certain vegetables also contain large or medium amounts of purines. These include asparagus, cauliflower, mushrooms, green peas and spinach. Legumes such as dried beans also contain high amounts of purines.
Alcohol
Alcohol, particularly beer but also hard liquors such as gin, rum, vodka and whiskey, contain large amounts of purines and can increase the chance of developing gout in susceptible people, Drugs.com warns. Wine contains fewer purines than other types of alcohol, but people with a tendency to develop gout should discuss drinking any type of alcohol with medical personnel. Alcohol also interferes with removal of uric acid from the body, the National Institutes of Health states.
Grains
Some grains supply medium amounts of purines. Oats, including those found in oatmeal, wheat germ, bran and whole grain breads and cereals all contain medium amounts of purines.
