Uric acid is a mineral your body creates while breaking down purines, which occur naturally in most foods. According to Mayo Clinic, having high uric acid levels, or hyperuricemia, leads to painful medical conditions in some people, including kidney stones, gout and kidney failure. If you're prone to any one of these conditions, a low-purine diet may help prevent or reduce the intensity of your symptoms. For best results, seek specified guidance from your doctor or dietitian.
Starches
Starches, such as breads, pasta and potatoes, provide glucose -- your body's main dietary source of energy. Because yeast, the rising agent in most breads, contains rich amounts of purines, sticking to yeast-free starches, such as potatoes, may help lower your uric acid levels. Every 100 g of baker's yeast contains 680 mg of purines. As fiber-rich foods, potatoes may also help reduce gout symptoms, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Nutritious, yeast-free grain options include long-grain brown rice, wild rice, quinoa, barley, oats and air-popped popcorn.
Meat and Seafood
Meat, including red meat and poultry, and seafood, including fish, fall among the foods highest in purines. Organ meats, including liver, kidneys and brain, contain between 460 and 810 mg of purines per 100 g. For success in following a low-purine diet, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center recommends avoiding sardines, organ meats, mackerel, scallops, mussels, goose and anchovies and limiting other fish, beef and poultry to a maximum of 6 oz. per day.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables supply rich amounts of antioxidants, such as beta-carotene and vitamin C, which help your body resist and heal from infections and disease. Most fruits and vegetables are relatively low in purines. Even purine-rich varieties, such as beans, peas, beans, cauliflower mushrooms and spinach, are not associated with gout flareups, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Apples, avocados, bananas, carrots, cabbage, brussels sprouts, grapes and pears all contain less than 100 mg of purines per 100 g.
Dairy Products
Dairy products are low in purines and valuable sources of protein, calcium and vitamin D. Low-fat yogurt contains 8.1 mg of purines per 100 g. Skim and low-fat milk and yogurt may help lower uric acid levels. For reduced gout symptoms, MayoClinic.com recommends consuming 16 to 24 fluid oz. of low-fat milk or low-fat milk products each day.
