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A few days ago, Aunt Zhang walked into the consultation room with a sad face, holding a physical examination report tightly in her hand. Her uric acid levels were reported to be high and doctors told her that she might be suffering from hyperuricemia.
Aunt Zhang looked puzzled: "Doctor, I heard that people with high uric acid can't eat beans, is it true?" But tofu and soybeans have always been a regular dish in my family, so I can't eat them anymore? Her question got me thinking. Is high uric acid really a "legumes buster"? What other foods should you really avoid? Today, we will answer this question in detail.
Question 1: Is it true that patients with high uric acid can't eat legumes?
Question 2: What foods are the "minefield" for patients with high uric acid?
Question 3: What are the precautions for the daily diet of patients with high uric acid?
With these doubts in mind, let's dive into it together.
The relationship between high uric acid and diet: should beans really be avoided?
Aunt Zhang's problem is not unique, and many patients with high uric acid have similar confusion. In order to avoid gout attacks, many people start to be extra careful about their diet for fear of eating the wrong things. Beans, in particular, are often the focus of controversy as a common source of plant protein. Should people with high uric acid really stay away from legumes? The truth is far more complicated than you think.
Uric acid is a product of purine metabolism in the body, and one of the main sources of purines is food. Legumes do contain a certain amount of purines, but this does not mean that people with high uric acid must avoid legumes altogether.
According to scientific research, plant-based purines are metabolized differently than animal-based purines. Plant-based purines have a low absorption rate and have no significant effect on uric acid levels. In fact, many legumes (e.g., soybeans and mung beans) are rich in dietary fiber and high-quality protein, which is beneficial for cardiovascular health and does not significantly increase uric acid levels.
A study published in the Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine showed that moderate intake of legumes did not significantly increase the risk of hyperuricemia or gout. Conversely, over-restricting legumes can lead to insufficient protein intake, which can affect your health. Therefore, patients with high uric acid do not need to "talk about the color change" of beans, the key is to take in moderation and eat a balanced diet.
Aunt Zhang breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this: "It seems that I can continue to eat tofu, it's really good." ”
There are three types of foods that really need to be avoided
If legumes aren't the "number one enemy" for people with high uric acid, what foods are really to be wary of? In fact, foods with high purine content do exist, especially the following three categories, which are what patients with high uric acid need to pay special attention to.
1. Animal offal: the "hardest hit area" of high purines
The first type of food that patients with high uric acid need to avoid is animal offal, such as liver, kidneys, heart, etc. These foods are extremely high in purines and quickly convert into uric acid when they enter the body, resulting in a sharp increase in uric acid levels and increasing the risk of gout attacks.
Studies have shown that the consumption of animal offal is very closely associated with gout attacks, especially for people with pre-existing hyperuricemia, and the intake of animal offal is contraindicated. Patients with high uric acid should strictly control the intake of these foods to avoid unnecessary health risks.
Aunt Zhang nodded, recalling her favorite fried garlic sprouts with pork liver: "It seems that this dish will be eaten less." ”
2. Seafood: The hidden "trap" of purines
Seafood is also a representative of high-purine foods, especially shellfish, shrimp, crabs, etc. This type of food is not only high in purines, but also rich in precursors of purine metabolism, which can easily induce gout.
Many people mistakenly think that fish is a healthy food, ignoring the high purine content of some of the seafood. In fact, certain seafood products (e.g. sardines, cod) are also high in purines and can significantly increase uric acid levels when ingested. To avoid elevated uric acid, patients with high uric acid should minimize their intake of high-purine seafood, especially in the acute phase of gout.
"I just had a seafood dinner last week, so I need to pay attention." Aunt Zhang said thoughtfully.
3. Sugary drinks: Hidden dangerous killers
In addition to high-purine foods, many people ignore the effects of sugar-sweetened beverages on high uric acid. Studies have shown that fructose in sugar-sweetened beverages increases purine metabolism and accelerates uric acid production, which leads to an increase in blood uric acid levels.
In particular, long-term intake of carbonated drinks, fruit juices and other beverages with high sugar content will not only lead to obesity, but also increase the risk of hyperuricemia. In addition, sugar-sweetened beverages have been linked to metabolic syndrome and should be avoided in excess.
Aunt Zhang said in surprise: "It turns out that sweet drinks are also so harmful, I really need to pay more attention to it in the future." ”
Dietary recommendations for patients with high uric acid
After learning about the three types of foods that really need to be avoided, Aunt Zhang asked again: "How to arrange the daily diet of patients with high uric acid?" Is there anything else I need to pay attention to besides taboos? "The diet of patients with high uric acid should not only avoid high-purine foods, but also focus on overall nutritional balance.
1. Drink plenty of water to promote uric acid excretion
Water is the best "medicine" to help with uric acid excretion. Adequate water intake helps dilute the urine and reduces the risk of uric acid deposition in the kidneys and joints. Patients with high uric acid should ensure that they consume at least 2000 ml of water per day, especially during exercise or hot weather. In addition, alkaline water also helps in uric acid excretion.
2. Selection of high-quality protein: fish, eggs, dairy products
Patients with high uric acid still need to ensure adequate protein intake while limiting animal purines. Fish (low-purine species), eggs, and dairy products are good sources of high-quality protein. These foods are low in purines and rich in amino acids that the body needs, which can effectively replenish protein without increasing uric acid levels.
3. Reduce fat intake and maintain a healthy weight
Obesity is a risk factor for hyperuricemia and gout, and patients with high uric acid should control their fat intake and avoid a high-fat, high-calorie diet. At the same time, moderate exercise and maintaining a healthy weight also play an important role in controlling uric acid levels. Obesity increases the burden of uric acid synthesis and increases the chance of gout attacks.
After listening to these suggestions, Aunt Zhang said gratefully: "Today is really a full harvest, it turns out that high uric acid is not to be able to eat beans at all, but to learn to choose food." ”
epilogue
The diet of people with high uric acid is not as complicated as it seems, and the most important thing is to understand which foods are good for the body and which foods to avoid. Legumes do not significantly increase uric acid levels, and the key is to consume them in moderation. What really needs to be avoided are the three types of high-purine foods such as animal offal, seafood and sugary drinks. Through a reasonable diet, moderate exercise and good lifestyle habits, patients with high uric acid can completely control their condition and avoid gout. I hope Aunt Zhang's story can inspire more patients with high uric acid.
bibliography
Chinese Journal of Internal Medicine, Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of hyperuricemia and gout, 2020.
Chinese Nutrition Society, Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents, 2016.