Can patients with gout eat freshwater fish?
Disease description:
My father has always enjoyed eating fish, but he was recently diagnosed with gout. I’d like to ask: After being diagnosed with gout, can he still eat freshwater fish?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Aihua
Patients with gout may consume freshwater fish, which are rich in essential nutrients and trace elements and provide high-quality protein. However, fish meat contains a certain amount of purines; therefore, patients with gout should pay attention to cooking methods when consuming fish. Specific guidelines apply: boiling freshwater fish into soup results in relatively high purine content in the broth, and drinking such fish soup may elevate serum uric acid levels—hence, gout patients are advised to avoid fish soup altogether. In contrast, steaming the fish and consuming only the flesh results in significantly lower purine intake. Thus, gout patients need not completely avoid freshwater fish but should select appropriate cooking methods. We hope this information is helpful. Wishing you good health!
