Gout is a painful arthritis-like condition that has a predilection for joints of your feet, especially the big toes. Gout was once known as “rich man’s” disease because it is a consequence of consuming acidic foods high in purines, such as organ meats, seafood and red wine. Cashews, in small quantities, are welcome additions to a well-balanced diet, but they should be avoided if you have a history of gout attacks or are experiencing one. Cashews are acidic and too high in purines, protein and phosphorus to be considered appropriate for gout. Consult with you doctor if you experience painful inflammation in your toes not caused by trauma.
Gout Explained
Gout is caused by the consumption of acidic foods high in purines, which are metabolized into uric acid. Uric acid dissolves in blood, but too much eventually precipitates out as sharp uric acid crystals, which eventually deposit in tissues and around joints of the feet and sometimes the hands, probably due to the effects of gravity, according to “Human Biochemistry” by Charles Dreiling. The sharp crystals irritate and inflame joints and the ligaments and tendons surrounding joints. Treatment of gout centers on reducing your purine and protein consumption, along with alkalizing or reducing the acidity of your blood. A common natural remedy is sour cherry juice, which is acidic outside the body, but once consumed it alkalizes your blood and is able to dissolve the uric acid crystals.
Foods to Avoid
To reduce your risk of a gout flare-up, avoid or severely minimize purine-rich foods such as beef, liver, kidney, game meats, pork, anchovies, herring, sardines, mackerel, crab, shrimp, lobster, caviar, mussels, mushrooms, asparagus, spinach, cauliflower, peas, beans, most nuts and seeds, wheat, rye, red wine, beer and essentially any form of alcohol, according to the book “Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism.” Cashews are technically seeds, instead of nuts, but they should also be avoided along with peanuts, pecans and Brazil nuts.
Cashews are Acidic
In addition to protein and purine content, cashews have acidifying effects on your blood and other tissues, which promote the precipitation of uric acid crystals and enhances the inflammatory reaction within the joints that the crystals deposit around, according to “Nutritional Sciences for Human Health.” Cashews are not as acidic as Brazil nuts, for example, but they are significantly more acidic than alkaline nuts, such as beechnuts and chestnuts.
High in Phosphorus
In addition to their acidity, cashews contain high amounts of phosphorus and some sulfur, which also contribute to the formation of uric acid crystals and the precipitation out of solution. Pistachios and almonds also fall into this category. It’s important to realize that nuts and seeds contain many beneficial nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fatty acids, but many of them can aggravate the symptoms of gout. Eating cashews within a well-balanced diet will not promote gout, as it can only occur if your diet is already out of balance in terms of purines and acidity. Talk with a nutritionist about diets that minimize the risk of gout.
References
- Human Biochemistry; Charles Dreiling
- Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism; James L. Groff, et al.
- Nutritional Sciences for Human Health; Stanislas Berger, et al.
