Gout and diet

Gout cannot be controlled by diet alone. The best way to control gout is taking medicine to lower uric acid levels in your blood.

Does diet cause gout?

Diet alone is rarely the cause of gout. Gout occurs when there is too much uric acid (also known as urate) in the blood. The main reason this happens is because of genetics. Many people with gout have a family history of gout – it is a condition they inherited. 

This build-up of uric acid causes small urate crystals to form in your body.

Crystals in your joints can cause swelling and pain known as a gout flare (attack).

Do certain foods trigger a gout flare?
Yes, some foods high in purines may trigger a flare. Purines are chemicals found naturally in the body and in many foods we eat and drink. Our bodies turn some purines into uric acid.

Tracking your diet and the timing of your gout flares can help identify potential food triggers.

Factsheet: Gout and diet – Sort the facts from the myths about how what you eat affects gout and learn which foods and drinks can trigger a flare. Discover why diet alone can’t control gout, and get practical tips to lower your flare risk alongside your medicines.