Can patients with gout eat wood ear mushrooms?
Disease description:
I have had gout for many years and have not been completely cured. I usually have a limited diet. Yesterday, I ate some wood ear mushrooms and started feeling unwell. I would like to ask if patients with gout should avoid eating wood ear mushrooms?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Gout patients can consume wood ear fungus (Auricularia auricula-judae), and moderate consumption is beneficial to health. Wood ear fungus is a low-purine food; therefore, its consumption does not significantly affect the uric acid levels in patients with gout. In addition, wood ear fungus is rich in nutrients such as protein, carotene, fat, and minerals, and has functions including invigorating qi, nourishing the blood, moistening the lungs, enhancing immune function, and improving resistance. For gout patients, moderate consumption of wood ear fungus not only helps supplement nutrition but also aids in promoting uric acid excretion, thus benefiting condition recovery. Gout patients should also pay attention to cooking methods when consuming wood ear fungus, avoiding high-fat cooking methods such as frying and grilling, and instead opting for healthier methods such as steaming, boiling, or cold mixing, to reduce fat intake. Meanwhile, the soaking time of wood ear fungus should not be too long, to prevent bacterial contamination and the production of harmful substances.
