Gout: a trigger and a remedy you probably don’t know about
If you have gout, you probably already know about follow the low-purine diet and the other standard advice from your doctor. But if you have this incredibly painful condition, there are two common foods that you can help you prevent gout or reduce a flare up.
A common ingredient in processed food that causes gout flares
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) is a cheap sweetener used in many sweet drinks and foods, including soft drinks, dairy (yoghurt, ice cream etc), sauces, confectionary/lollies, bakery goods, jams, jellies and desserts. Basically if it tastes even slightly sweet and comes in a packet, jar or bottle – read the label. Pro tip, most ingredient labels are in tiny font so just snap a pic on your phone so you can enlarge it to read.
High Fructose Corn Syrup by another name
While most labels in Australia use ‘high fructose corn syrup’, it can be listed as isoglucose, HFCS-55, HFCS 42 and HFCS-90.
Also skip the ‘natural’ sweetener agave during a gout flare. It has a similar constituent profile to manmade HFCS, bypassing the usual sugar pathway in the body to be metabolised in the liver.
Bring on the cherries
The good news is that cherries ease, or even prevent, gout in many people. How wonderful that something so delicious, is so good for us. Cherries are anti-inflammatory and while they don’t necessarily reduce blood uric acid levels, it appears to be helpful in reducing gout attacks.
Cherry season is pretty short but while they’re available eat at least 10 cherries a day. You can also use frozen cherries or drink cherry juice. Just read the label to make sure it’s pure!
© Gill Stannard
Read more about:
HFCS and why it’s different to sugar
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