Are you looking for ways to improve your diet but don't know if certain vegetables cause a spike in uric acid? If yes, then this article is a must-read for you! Uric acid is produced inside the body by the breakdown of purines. Purines are nitrogen-containing compounds that are found naturally in the body as well in certain food products. Though almost all fruits and most of the vegetables are low in purine content, there are some vegetables that are high in these substances. High levels of uric acid present in the body can cause uric acid to form sharp crystal clusters. These crystals can then settle in the joints and result in gout, a type of arthritis that causes severe pain. Let us now explore the vegetables that contain high levels of purines, leading to an increase in uric acid.
Vegetables that increase uric acid levels
We’ve listed the different vegetables that are high in purines and can lead to elevated uric acid levels:
- Spinach: Though spinach has many health benefits, it has high purine levels that get converted into uric acid once metabolized. So, its intake should be limited to avoid elevated uric acid levels.
- Tomatoes: Even with low purine content, tomatoes have been found to cause gout flares in people with high uric acid levels. It is known to be associated with a high glutamate content, which can in turn increase uric acid levels.
- Dried lentils: While dried lentils have a ton of health benefits, they also contain some amount of purines, which can increase uric acid levels.
- Broccoli and cauliflower: These cruciferous vegetables are rich sources of vitamins and minerals, but have high purine levels that can increase uric acid level in blood.
- Mushrooms: Mushrooms do contain a moderate amount of purines, but their intake should be limited for gout patients.
- Beetroot: Beetroots may not have a lot of purines, but they do have a high oxalate level, which can in turn increase uric acid levels in the blood. Thus, they should be consumed in limitation by gout patients.
- Turnips: Turnips, like beetroot, also have a lot of oxalates. The higher the oxalate level, higher will be the uric acid generated in the body.
- Ladyfinger: Okra or ladyfinger is also known to have high oxalate levels, which in turn will boost levels of uric acid.