Uric acid is a substance your body produces while digesting purines, which occur naturally in many foods. Although uric acid is typically harmless, high levels can lead to kidney stones and gout. In addition to medical treatments, when necessary, limiting foods high in purines may help lower your uric acid levels and prevent potential complications. Numerous canned foods are on this list.
Meats
The highest purine foods contain 150 mg or more of purines per 100 g. To lower your uric acid levels, avoid the highest-purine meats, such as organ meats and sweetbread, which contains the thymus glands from calves, pigs or lambs. Moderately high purine meats include beef, chicken, pork and veal. Canned sausage, chicken, ham and meat-containing foods, such as beef stew and hash, are also purine-rich. Although the canning process does not alter foods' purine content, canned foods are typically high in sodium, which can raise your risk for kidney stones. Lower-purine protein alternatives include low-fat dairy products and whole grains.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables, even those containing moderate amounts of purines, are not associated with high uric acid levels or gout, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. On the contrary, as part of a healthy, balanced diet, fruits and vegetables may help guard against weight gain, arthritis pain and uric acid kidney stones. Because canned fruits and vegetables typically contain less fiber and more sodium, choose fresh and frozen varieties most often. Avoid grapefruit and cranberry juice, which may contribute to uric acid kidney stones.
Fish and Seafood
Some fish and seafood varieties also fall in the high-purine category. Canned sardines with oil are exceptionally purine-rich, containing more purines per serving than organ meats and sweetbread. Other canned fish, including tuna, salmon, anchovies and shrimp, are moderately high in purines. Because fatty fish provide omega-3 fatty acids, which may help manage pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, consume low-purine sources, such as flaxseeds, walnuts and canola oil, regularly.
Soups and Gravies
Canned soups and gravies are typically high in sodium and may be high in purines. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends avoiding meat gravies and soups made with meat-based stock or broth. Most soups based on cream or vegetable broth are low in purines, and are less likely to boost your uric acid levels. Limit those containing rich amounts of beef, lamb, pork and chicken, which are moderately high in purines.
References
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center; Low-Purine Diet; 2003
- Acumedico.com: Purine Table
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Kidney Stones -- Prevention; July 2009
- Johns Hopkins Medicine; Ask Your Doctor About Gout: Diet and Gout; July 2006
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; June 2009
