If you’re suffering from gout, you know how painful it can be. A type of arthritis, gout affects your joints, fingers and toes. It usually happens to people who have excessive purine foods like meat, whole grains, and sort of peas. When your body is unable to remove the uric acid from the body, it forms gout in one of your joints.

Gout is a chronic and painful condition that results in swelling of the joints due to the accumulation of uric acid, and it is a form of inflammatory arthritis. Uric acid gets accumulated in the bloodstream and forms crystals. The first symptom that can be observed as a result of the onset of gout is a pain in the big toes after it swells up. Gout pain attacks usually occur late at night. The joints become tender and turn red. In normal cases, uric acid is excreted in the urine, but when it is not excreted; crystals are formed resulting in gout.

But, the question is, can gout be cured with diet? Well, it can definitely help in toning down its effect to a certain level, and when you take a diet with the right medicine, you can prevent the problem. Apart from medicines, you can opt for the best diet for gout to cure this painful condition. However, how would you know that what’s beneficial and what’s not, in terms of diet. Here is a list of foods that can be included in your diet plan to improve your condition.

Do’s

• Organic cherries and strawberries

These berry fruits are always recommended to people who are suffering from gout. You can kick start your morning with these berries and some cornflakes with low-fat milk. Cherries have antioxidants and compounds like bioflavonoid and anthocyanins. The main intent of these compounds is to slow down the action of two enzymes, which are Cyclo-oxygenase-1 and -2. By consuming these berries, it offers the patients relief from the severe pain resulting from gout. Moreover, low-fat dairy products have been reported to lessen the chances of gout in people. The best way to include these berries is through your breakfast. Have some organic cherries, strawberries along with some cornflakes and low-fat milk; this can serve as the best diet for gout. Raspberry tarts and pancakes are also good for you.

• Healthy fats

If you are suffering from gout, then you should know about the healthy fats that are good for your health. This includes oils like coconut oils, olive oil, avocados and even raw nuts like walnuts, pecans, and macadamias. These healthy fats can keep a check on the levels of insulin and leptin. Omega-3-fat oils which are present in animals like krill oil can also be consumed by those suffering from gout. Omega-3 is very effective against gout, so make sure you include flax seeds in your diet as well.

• Food rich in potassium

Increase your intake of food that is rich in potassium. Found in fruits and veggies, potassium is known to neutralize uric acid. Lima beans, green veggies, and broccoli are highly rich in potassium and are part of the best diet for gout.

Don’ts

Gout can be prevented if you take care of what you’re eating. And, for that, you need to know which food items to avoid. Some of them are discussed below.

• High-fructose corn syrup

This is something that should be avoided at all costs as it tends to increase the level of uric acid in the blood which leads to the formation of gout. It is present in all forms of processed foods starting from ice-cream and sodas to breakfast cereals and fruit juices.

• Seafood

If you want to continue following your best diet for gout and heal the condition without the need for medical intervention, you should avoid seafood items like fish, mussels and shrimp.

• Alcohol

Alcohol can increase the amount of uric acid in your blood, which promotes the formation of crystals that can cause inflammation in various portions of the body. If you want to follow the best diet for gout, make sure you stay away from alcohol.

So, now you must have acquired the knowledge of what to eat and what to avoid, plan your diet chart accordingly and follow it. If you can adopt a healthy lifestyle and adhere to your diet plan, you can even prevent the onset of this painful disease. If even after following the best diet for gout the condition still worsens, it is advisable to seek medical help from an expert.