What foods should not be consumed with high uric acid?
Jul 10, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Introduction
High uric acid levels generally prohibit consumption of foods such as chicken kidneys, mackerel pike (sanma), goose meat, fish roe, and maltose syrup. As a marine fish, mackerel pike has a much higher purine content than common freshwater fish. Consumption can significantly increase uric acid production in the body, exceeding the excretion capacity of the kidneys, which may lead to uric acid crystal deposition and increase the risk of gout attacks.
Generally, individuals with high uric acid levels should avoid eating foods such as chicken kidneys, mackerel, goose meat, fish roe, and malt syrup. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Chicken Kidneys: As animal offal, chicken kidneys are extremely high in purines. After consumption, they metabolize into large amounts of uric acid in the body, rapidly increasing blood uric acid levels and worsening uric acid accumulation, which is detrimental to disease management.
2. Mackerel: As a type of sea fish, mackerel contains significantly higher levels of purines compared to common freshwater fish. Consumption increases uric acid production in the body beyond the kidneys’ excretion capacity, easily leading to uric acid crystal deposition and increasing the risk of gout attacks (gout).
3. Goose Meat: Although goose meat is a common type of meat, its purine content is moderate to high. Additionally, its fatty nature results in increased uric acid production during metabolism and the high fat content interferes with uric acid excretion, causing fluctuations in blood uric acid levels.
4. Fish Roe: Whether from freshwater or sea fish, fish roe contains extremely high levels of purines and is also rich in cholesterol. Its consumption significantly increases uric acid concentration in the body, severely hindering uric acid control.
5. Malt Syrup: Often used in processed foods, malt syrup contains large amounts of fructose. During metabolism, fructose promotes uric acid production and simultaneously inhibits uric acid excretion. Long-term consumption leads to continuous uric acid accumulation in the body, worsening the problem of high uric acid.
Individuals with high uric acid levels should choose low-purine foods in their daily diet, such as celery, apples, and corn, reduce consumption of processed foods, drink plenty of water, maintain moderate physical activity, and regularly monitor uric acid levels to adjust dietary plans accordingly.
