Gout is a form of arthritis in which uric acid builds up in your blood then forms deposits in a joint. Your symptoms, including intense joint pain, swelling and redness, may occur in sudden episodes called gout attacks, or develop over time. About 6.1 million American adults faced gout in 2005, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Eating more nutritious foods like oatmeal, and limiting foods associated with gout flareups, may support medical care in managing your symptoms.
Benefits
As a whole grain food, oatmeal provides more vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein than refined grain products, such as white bread. Oatmeal is also rich in fiber, which promotes fullness between meals. Managing your appetite may help you reach or maintain a healthy body weight, lowering your risk for gout symptoms, according to MayoClinic.com. And although oatmeal contains a fairly significant amount of purines, it is not linked with the same risk factors for gout as animal-derived purine sources.
Research
According to a research review published in the "Annals of Internal Medicine" in 2005, a large prospective study showed that men who eat diets rich in meat or seafood are 41 to 51 percent more likely to develop gout compared to men with diets low in meat and seafood. Consumption of oatmeal and high-purine vegetables, such as lentils and beans, however, were not associated with an increased gout risk. This data suggests that purine restriction may apply only to purines derived from animal sources.
Considerations
Although oatmeal suits a gout-friendly diet, incorporating one nutritious food into an overall poor diet is unlikely to provide significant benefits. MayoClinic.com recommends an overall balanced diet, limited in meat and seafood and rich in nutritious foods, such as fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products, for improved gout symptoms. If weight loss is a goal, avoid fasting and other highly restrictive diets because rapid weight reduction can trigger gout. Keep in mind that oats and oat products vary in nutrient content. Instant oatmeal, oatmeal cookies and sugary oat-based cereals, for example, are less nutritious than steel-cut and old fashioned oatmeal.
Suggestions
To add benefits to your oatmeal, prepare it with skim or low-fat milk, which may help lower your uric acid levels, according to MayoClinic.com. Top oatmeal with berries or other fruit for added antioxidants, which promote a strong-functioning immune system. Other nutritious whole grain foods include brown rice, wild rice, air-popped popcorn and pearled barley. Choose whole grains in place of refined foods most often for heightened wellness benefits.
