Can people with gout eat preserved mustard tuber (Mei Gan Cai)?
Disease description:
My father has always liked eating preserved mustard tuber, but he stopped eating it after being diagnosed with gout. I would like to ask, can people with gout eat preserved mustard tuber?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
During stable periods of gout, it is generally acceptable to consume pickled mustard tuber (Mei Gan Cai) in moderation. Pickled mustard tuber is considered a low-purine food, and moderate consumption will not significantly affect gout symptoms. In addition, pickled mustard tuber can help stimulate the appetite, relieve abdominal distension, and nourish the body. For patients, moderate consumption can help improve appetite and promote overall health. During acute gout attacks, however, it is generally recommended to avoid eating pickled mustard tuber. Although its purine content is low, excessive consumption may increase the body's metabolic burden and be detrimental to disease control. Moreover, pickled mustard tuber contains a certain amount of nitrite; long-term and excessive consumption may have negative effects on health. Therefore, gout patients should pay attention to controlling the intake of pickled mustard tuber and avoid overconsumption. At the same time, they should also follow the principle of a low-purine diet, reducing the intake of high-purine foods such as seafood and animal offal, in order to maintain stable uric acid levels.
