Is Eggplant Good for Gout?
Gout sufferers experience periods of intense pain and swelling of their joints, usually in the big toe. Your diet can play a role in alleviating flare-ups and preventing future attacks. According to the American College of Rheumatology, reducing your consumption of food high in purines can help manage the disease. Eggplant is a food source low in purines.
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Gout Causes
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Gout is primarily caused by elevated levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia). Gout can also be caused by medications or medical conditions that raise uric acid levels.
Source of Uric Acid
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Uric acid found in the blood is primarily the result of the body breaking down "purines," a nitrogen-based compound found in most foods that is important for energy.
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Purine Rich Foods
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The level of purines in food varies. On the high end are organ meats, fish roe and red wine. On the low end are most vegetables, including eggplant.
Gout Attacks
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An acute gout attack resulting in severe pain and joint inflammation can only be treated with medication. Although low-purine foods, such as eggplant, will not alleviate the pain or swelling, they should be the food of choice so as not to exacerbate the condition.
Gout Prevention
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Gout cannot be cured, but future gout attacks can be prevented by avoiding food high in purines, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Low-purine foods, such as eggplant, are a good food choice for gout suffers so as to lessen the advent and severity of future attacks.
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