Foods that cause gout are rich in a chemical called purines. These foods include organ meats such as liver, brain, kidneys and sweetbreads. Other foods include anchovies, herring, dried peas and beans.

The purines get converted to uric acid but if they accumulate in excess they will cause gout. The uric acid crystals, which form will irritate the lining of joints such as the one in the big toe. This leads to inflammation and pain and swelling at the joint. Cutting back on the amount of foods that cause gout or avoiding them is a good idea if someone has gout, however, always remember to get an adequate and balanced diet. Alcohol affects the removal of uric acid from the body and too much alcohol can trigger gout. Low carbohydrate diets, which are rich in protein, can also trigger gout. People often forget to drink enough water especially in winter and this needs to be kept in mind if they are on a low carbohydrate diet. With the use of medications there is less of a need for a drastic dietary change but avoiding or limiting certain foods will help reduce the severity of attacks and may help people who have difficulty with medications that treat gout.

There is some recent research, which has shown that vitamin C in certain doses may decrease the uric acid level slightly. However it may not be relevant in patients with gout and further details are needed. Another interesting recent research revelation was that meat and seafood intake raised uric acid levels but dairy intake decreased it. Again, what this means for patients who have gout or individuals trying to prevent gout is unclear. Surprisingly, recent analyses have shown that moderate protein or even purine-rich vegetables was not associated with an increased risk of gout.