What should not be eaten when uric acid levels are high?

Aug 30, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Yang Tiesheng

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, individuals with high uric acid levels should avoid consuming foods such as goose liver, pork rib soup, sardines, goose meat, and beer. They should also avoid self-administering medications including aspirin enteric-coated tablets, hydrochlorothiazide tablets, nifedipine sustained-release tablets (II), pyrazinamide tablets, and levodopa tablets, to prevent adverse effects on uric acid levels. A detailed analysis is as follows:

Generally, individuals with high uric acid levels should avoid foods such as goose liver, pork rib soup, sardines, goose meat, and beer. They should also avoid taking medications such as aspirin enteric-coated tablets, hydrochlorothiazide tablets, nifedipine sustained-release tablets (II), pyrazinamide tablets, and levodopa tablets on their own, as these may affect uric acid levels. Detailed explanations are as follows:

I. Foods

1. Goose Liver

Goose liver is a high-purine food. Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism in the human body. Consuming excessive amounts of goose liver increases total purine levels in the body, significantly raising uric acid production. This may lead to fluctuations in uric acid levels and potentially trigger acute gout attacks.

2. Pork Rib Soup

Purines are water-soluble. During prolonged cooking, purines from the meat leach into the broth, making pork rib soup a high-purine beverage. Consuming this soup rapidly introduces large amounts of purines into the body, accelerating uric acid production and making it difficult to control uric acid levels.

3. Sardines

Sardines are a typical high-purine seafood. The purines they contain are metabolized in the body and directly converted into uric acid, increasing serum uric acid concentrations. This may worsen urate crystal deposition and increase the risk of joint damage.

4. Goose Meat

Goose meat contains significantly higher levels of purines compared to common meats like chicken or duck. Consuming goose meat increases the body's purine load, promoting increased uric acid production. Especially when uric acid levels are unstable, it may easily trigger gout symptoms.

5. Beer

Beer contains not only purines but also alcohol, which inhibits the excretion of uric acid by the renal tubules. Additionally, alcohol accelerates ATP breakdown, indirectly increasing purine production. These dual effects raise blood uric acid levels, making beer a significant contraindication for individuals with high uric acid.

II. Medications

1. Aspirin Enteric-Coated Tablets

Low-dose aspirin inhibits the excretion of uric acid by the renal tubules, leading to uric acid accumulation in the body and elevated blood uric acid levels. Although the cardiovascular benefits may need to be weighed in clinical practice, individuals with high uric acid should consult a doctor before use and avoid self-medication.

2. Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets

As a commonly used diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide reduces blood volume, indirectly lowering the glomerular filtration rate and decreasing uric acid excretion. Long-term use may lead to elevated blood uric acid levels and even trigger gout. Individuals with high uric acid should use alternative medications under medical guidance.

3. Nifedipine Sustained-Release Tablets (II)

This medication belongs to the calcium channel blocker class. In some individuals, it may affect uric acid excretion, leading to elevated serum uric acid levels. Patients with high uric acid and hypertension should have their uric acid levels monitored regularly and adjust their treatment plans if necessary.

4. Pyrazinamide Tablets

As an anti-tuberculosis medication, pyrazinamide interferes with the renal tubular excretion of uric acid, reducing its excretion and causing elevated blood uric acid levels. Patients with both tuberculosis and high uric acid should use uric acid-lowering medications under medical supervision and closely monitor their uric acid levels.

5. Levodopa Tablets

During its metabolism in the body, levodopa produces metabolites such as dopamine, which may compete for renal tubular excretion pathways, reducing uric acid excretion and leading to elevated blood uric acid levels. Parkinson's disease patients with high uric acid should discuss medication adjustments with their doctors.

In daily life, individuals should maintain a low-purine diet, drink no less than 2000 milliliters of water daily to promote uric acid excretion, avoid staying up late and strenuous exercise, and seek timely medical attention when necessary. Uric acid-lowering treatment should be conducted under medical guidance, and self-adjustment of medications should be strictly avoided.

View All

What does it mean if blood uric acid levels are high?

In general, elevated blood uric acid levels may be caused by excessive intake of high-purine foods, excessive alcohol consumption, hyperuricemia, gout, chronic kidney disease, or other factors. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, maintain a regular作息 (routine), avoid overexertion, and engage in low-intensity exercises such as walking or jogging to improve overall physical health.

View Full Answer

What foods should not be eaten with lamb?

Under normal circumstances, lamb is nutritious but has a warming nature. It is not recommended to consume it with foods such as watermelon, crab, mung beans, strong tea, or pumpkin. Additionally, lamb should be consumed cautiously with cold-natured foods like persimmons and pears. Moreover, when consuming lamb in daily life, individuals should adjust their intake according to their own physical condition. Patients with hyperthyroidism, whose metabolic rates are generally increased, should pay particular attention to this.