Knowledge

Tofu is good for gout patients?

Tofu, or soy bean curd, has long been a popular food onEastern. And with the growing popularity of plant-based vegetarian and vegan diets, it's showing up more often on western menus too. However there's been some confusion over whether tofu is good or bad for people with gout.

Historically, some health care professionals have advised gout-prone people to minimize consumption of tofu and soy. A 2011 study published in the 《Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition》reflects these older attitudes toward tofu and gout.

The research surveyed opinions of Asian dietitians and doctors, and found that nearly half (48 percent) of these health care professionals thought soy foods were likely to cause gout. More recently, expert opinion suggests tofu consumption isn't a problem for people with gout at all and may even be helpful.

The Gout-Diet Link

The Arthritis Foundation explains that gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. The excess uric acid can form needle-like crystals in joints — typically in the big toe, ankle or knee — causing sudden, severe episodes of pain, tenderness, redness and swelling. Dietary components called purines increase uric acid, increasing the chance of you falling victim to gout.

The Mayo Clinic says purine-rich foods that people on a gout diet might need to avoid or go easy on include organ meats such as liver, kidney and sweetbreads, red meat and some types of seafood, such as anchovies, shellfish, sardines and tuna. (They add that the overall health benefits of eating fish will usually outweigh the risks for people with gout.)

By Angela Dowden

https://www.livestrong.com/article/401189-eating-tofu-for-gout/