Is the purine content high in luffa (sponge gourd)?
Disease description:
Now is the season for luffa (sponge gourd), and consuming more luffa is beneficial to health. May I ask whether luffa contains a high level of purines?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Tiesheng
The purine content of luffa (sponge gourd) is not high, with approximately 14 mg of purine per 100 grams. When the purine content of a food is less than 50 mg per 100 grams, it is considered a low-purine food. Therefore, luffa belongs to the category of low-purine foods, significantly lower than high-purine foods such as meat and seafood.
Purine is a substance present in the human body, and it produces uric acid during metabolism. High uric acid levels in the blood (hyperuricemia) and gout are associated with elevated uric acid levels in the body.
Luffa is a low-purine food that is highly suitable for consumption by individuals with gout or hyperuricemia. Luffa also contains abundant nutrients such as vitamin A, phosphorus, potassium, and amino acids.
Luffa does not worsen the condition of gout patients. On the contrary, due to its high water and dietary fiber content, it helps promote the excretion of uric acid and is beneficial for individuals with gout. Dietary adjustments are only part of gout management; patients also need to combine medication and lifestyle modifications to control their condition.
